18th Century Basque Literature: Southern Writers & Larramendi
18th Century Basque Literature: Southern Writers
Introduction to Southern Basque Literary Trends
Basque book production in the Southern Basque Country during the 18th century presented a stark contrast to the preceding two centuries in the Northern Basque Country (Iparralde). The 18th century saw significant differences emerge.
Initially, the first decades of the 18th century were relatively slow for Basque literature in the Southern Basque Country.
Manuel Larramendi and the Jesuit Revival
A slight recovery in this situation was brought about by the Jesuit, Manuel Larramendi. Through his work, he sought to change the attitude of many of his contemporaries towards the Basque language. Indeed, among his fellow Jesuits, he achieved considerable success. A. Kardaberaz and S. Mendiburu were among the most prolific Jesuit writers of the mid-18th century, publishing numerous books.
However, Larramendi died in 1766, and the following year, the Jesuits were expelled. Consequently, very few books were published in Basque during the remainder of the century.
Manuel Larramendi (1690-1766): A Champion of Basque
Manuel Larramendi, from Andoain, was known as one of the most influential figures of the century for many reasons. Born in Hernani, he later lived in Bilbao. He joined the Society of Jesus for his studies in Valencia, Salamanca, and Valladolid. He taught higher studies from 1720-1730 and served for three years as the confessor to the Widow of King Charles II in Bayonne (1730-1733). From then until his death, he resided in Loyola, though not confined to the convent. He was a tireless figure, traveling throughout Gipuzkoa, preaching, consulting, and resolving problems and disputes.
Larramendi’s Literary Contributions and Advocacy
He was a skilled and demanding speaker, not one to write dull prose. He proved to be one of the most influential figures in Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country. Above all, the Basque language was his favorite subject; he dedicated his main efforts to its defense and study. Larramendi worked for the Basque language in two primary ways:
- To counter those who disparaged Basque and Basques, encouraging pride in their language.
- To promote the use of Basque and encourage its development.
He produced historical, autobiographical, and political works, but here we will focus only on those related to the language:
- The Universality and Antiquity of the Basque Language in Spain (La universalidad y antigüedad del Bascuence en España) (1728). This is a passionate apology for the Basque language. At the time, many disparaged the Basque language. This book passionately refutes such criticisms and attacks. The author’s philological and historical basis is quite classical: he believed in ‘Tubalism’ and that Basque was one of the original languages of Babel, which, though now confined to the Basque Country, had once spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula.
- The Impossible Overcome. Art of the Basque Language (El Imposible Vencido. Arte de la Lengua Bascongada) (1729). This ‘Art’ is essentially a grammar of the language of that era. Therefore, this work is considered the first Basque grammar, at least in its initial printing. Its ambitious title responds to a challenge: at the time, the prevailing opinion among scholars was that the Basque language was not adaptable to existing grammatical laws and rules. Larramendi, through this work, aimed to demonstrate that this belief was unfounded and that the ‘impossible’ could indeed be ‘overcome’.