The Language Requirement Outside the Academic Setting: The Case of the Basque Administration

Abstract

This article discusses a specific policy adopted by the Basque Government under which its employees are required to learn the minority but co-official language, a move harshly criticised by some sectors of Basque society. These workers have been tested through a series of exams resulting in a high percentage of failure, as local newspapers attest. After reviewing the current linguistics situation in the Basque Country, I present several reasons for the deficiency of the plan. Among them, I comment on the lack of incentives on the part of the workers, who see little motivation for making the effort of learning the language. Finally, I point to a more comprehensive plan for Basquisation where the target is not only the working place but the family-neighbourhood domain.