In
the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum there's a permanent exhibit by
Jenny Holzer that reveals how Euskara (Basque language) serves
as a secret passage of sorts, a unique window into a world that
at first glance many might miss.
Related link:
NABO Euskara offerings
One of the more profound
exhibits at the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is one designed
by Jenny Holzer (b. 1950, Gallipolis, Ohio, U.S.A.). It consists of columns of scrolling words in English with
red lights, that when first seen appear to be up against a dark wall. But if
one moves closer, you find that the nine LED light columns are
actually double-sided and in front of the wall. Stepping through the light columns you
turn to find scrolling words on the back-side of the columns,
but this time in blue lights and in the Basque
language (as seen in the image above).
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Note that this article does not
presume to know what exactly the artist, Jenny Holzer,
intended to relate with this work; instead the exhibit
is taken as an metaphor for the place of Euskara. To view a video of this exhibit click on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loDobLvpux4
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It is a perfect metaphor for Basque culture
because in many ways the world of the Basques remains hidden
from view. To ultimately
discover that world one needs to know Euskara or the Basque
language.
Now this statement is controversial, because some might be
offended that their "Basqueness" is being called into question,
while others might feel bad that they don't know Basque.
For the former, the response is a matter of reason.
Many a visitor or tourist to the
Basque country might know they are in the Basque country and
take in some of its charms, but there is larger world that the
non-speakers of Basque are likely to miss. Just like the
example above, one might think they have seen--or know--all
there is about the Basque Country, and that the "lights end at
the wall." But if one moves closer and passes through the
metaphorical columns into the Basque-speaking world, things show
up, in a matter of speaking, as a different color. The reason for this, is that some
things in life just don't translate. Each of the world's
languages have their own internal dynamic. Ask anyone who
is more than monolingual and nine of ten will tell you the same:
each language carries its own unique, cultural attributes; i.e.,
we communicate (i.e., relate, connect, understand) differently with people in different languages,
and it is not just because the words sound or are spelled
different.
"Hizkuntza
bakoitza mundua ikusteko era desberdin bat dela."
-Federico Fellini
For the latter--those who feel bad that they don't know Basque
because they too would like to know that "hidden world," well
there is good news for you! There's never a time like the
present to follow through on what you've always told yourself: "I
wish I knew Basque." There are opportunities out there now
that make learning easier, including classes at Basque clubs and
now an online option as well. Check out these learning
options:
NABO is committed to trying to keep the "lights on the other
side of the columns." As one of the world's most distinctive
minority languages, Euskara's
future will be decided by the current generation of speakers: those who
know the language and continue to use it, and those who step up
and make an effort to learn. We need
your help to keep our language
"visible, viable & vital".
And believe it when you hear it: it's a pretty nice world
on the other side of the columns. You'll like it too!
