Linguae Vasconum Primitiae: The First Fruits of the Basque Language, 1545 (Available in PDF)
“Out of a humble beginning, may better fortune follow.”
So ends Bernard Etxepare’s Linguæ Vasconum Primitiæ, likely the first book ever printed in the Basque language, in the year of 1545. Published in Bordeaux, the book contains a modest collection of poems, some religious, others love poetry, one autobiographical, and two extolling the virtues of Basque and its worthiness through publication to be included with the other languages of the world. Written in the Lower Navarrese dialect of Basque, the poems have found enduring fame among the Basques for their celebration of the Basque language. Included alongside the seminal translation by Mikel Morris Pagoeta is a comparative rendition of the original Basque. The book also includes a foreword by Pello Salaburu, the preface to the 1995 edition by Patxi Altuna, and an introduction by Beñat Oyharçabal.
“Other people thought it could not be written; now they have seen that they were wrong. Basque, come forth into the world!”
You can download it in PDF format from the Center for Basque Studies website here.
You can also obtain a copy of the English translation from the Center for Basque Studies bookstore here.
The following example is the Contrapas, which is a poem that broadly sets out Etxepare’s motivation for producing this book and his hopes for the language. Etxepare explains that he is the first Basque writer to have his work published in print. He calls for the Basque language to “go out” and become more widely known, for the Basques to blaze new trails and make themselves known to the world.
Original text
|
Text in Standard Basque |
English |
---|---|---|
Heuscara ialgui adi cãpora. | Euskara jalgi hadi kanpora. | Basque, go outside. |
Garacico herria Benedicadadila Heuscarari emandio Beharduyen thornuya. |
Garaziko herria benedika dadila Euskarari eman dio behar duen tornuia. |
The town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port be blessed for having given to Basque its befitting rank. |
Heuscara ialgui adi plaçara. | Euskara jalgi hadi plazara. | Basque, go out into the square. |
Berce gendec usteçuten Ecin scribaçayteyen Oray dute phorogatu Euganatu cirela. |
Bertze jendek uste zuten ezin skriba zaiteien orain dute frogatu enganatu zirela. |
Other deemed it impossible to write in Basque now they have proof that they were mistaken. |
Heuscara ialgui adi mundura. | Euskara jalgi hadi mundura. | Basque, go out into the world. |
Lengoagetan ohi inçan Estimatze gutitan Oray aldiz hic beharduc Ohori orotan. |
Lengoajetan ohi hintzen estimatze gutxitan orain aldiz hik behar duk ohore orotan. |
Amongst the tongues in little esteem (you were) now however, which you deserve honoured amongst all. |
Heuscara habil mundu gucira. | Euskara habil mundu guztira. | Basque, walk the world at large. |
Berceac oroc içan dira Bere goihen gradora Oray hura iganenda Berce ororen gaynera. |
Bertzeak orok izan dira bere goihen gradora orain hura iganen da bertze ororen gainera. |
The others all have ascended to their splendour now it (Basque) shall ascend above them all. |
Heuscara | Euskara | Basque |
Bascoac oroc preciatz? Heuscaraez iaquin harr? Oroc iccassiren dute Oray cerden heuscara. |
Baskoak orok prezatzen Euskara ez jakin arren orok ikasiren dute orain zer den Euskara. |
All praise the Basques though not knowing the Basque language now they shall learn what Basque is like. |
Heuscara | Euskara | Basque |
Oray dano egon bahiz Imprimitu bagueric Hiengoitic ebiliren Mundu gucietaric. |
Oraindano egon bahaiz inprimatu bagerik hi engoitik ibiliren mundu guztietarik. |
If you have until now were without printing you now shall travel throughout the world. |
Heuscara | Euskara | Basque |
Eceyn erelengoageric Ez francesa ez berceric Oray eztaerideyten Heuscararen pareric. |
Ezein ere lengoajerik ez frantzesa ez bertzerik orain ez da erideiten Euskararen parerik. |
There is no other language neither French nor another that now compares to Basque. |
Heuscara ialgui adi dançara. | Euskara jalgi hadi dantzara. | Basque, go to the dance. |
For more information, check out the Center for Basque Studies website, or Wikipedia.
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