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Writing in Basque: Tools to get you there
A Basque in Boise has compiled a list of useful resources online to make writing in Basque easier. You can find the original article here.
DICTIONARIES
Elhuyar
Basque<>Spanish online dictionary. This is the one I use the most. You get the translation of the word as well as the word used in a sentence, which makes it easier to understand it in context.
Morris Student Plus
Basque<>English Dictionary. I think it is a bit harder to read the results, and sometimes it won’t find the word I need, but overall it is a very good resource for English speakers with no knowledge of Spanish.
Synonyms
Type in a Basque word inside the box and the click on “Bilatu” to get a list of synonyms.
Euskara dictionary for cellphones
I haven’t tried them yet, but they seem interesting. I just started using the Euskeraz ikasi app for the iPhone, an Spanish<>English dictionary. It is great for emergencies, although a little bit picky, as you have to include the accent marks on Spanish words that require them.
VERBS
Aditzak.com
This is my favorite way to find the verb form I need. However, you need to know what you are looking for (tense, mood, person…). If you are not sure what you need, go to the next items on this list and check out conjugation tables for virtually every verb in Basque.
Verb Tables
Organized by mood (indicative, hypothetical, subjunctive, potential, imperative).
Logos conjugator
It will conjugate for you any of 2516 verbs in all the tenses, including synthetic verbs.
Synthetic verbs (present tense)
A basic list of conjugated synthetic verbs (be, come, go, walk…). Buber’s page has a whole section dedicated to the Basque language, where you can find additional information and resources.
Synthetic verbs (only past tense)
Another basic list of conjugated synthetic verbs, this time in past tense.
DECLENSION
Basque case
Enter the word you wish to decline. They must be lexical entries, as the script can’t analyze nouns which already are declined.
Identifiers
Question words
Adverbs
AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION
Itzultzaile automatikoa
Similar to Google Translate, this tool is useful to translate non-specialized texts and webpages, but it’s only a “help tool”, so don’t expect linguistic correction at 100%. Always have your translation checked by a human translator. For more information, click here. For a news video on the EITB website (in Spanish), click here.
Erdaratu
Another tool for automatic translation. It’s good to have options.
Google Translate
SPELL CHECKERS
Xuxen
The goal is to detect and correct in a convenient and effective way texts written in Euskara. The system offers two modes of correction: 1) Correction. Quick correction. After analyzing the text, XUXEN highlights the unfamiliar words and displays a list of possible fixes; and 2) Advanced correction. Correction word for word. It also offers the ability to manage your custom dictionary, for which you have to be a registered user.
READING MATERIAL
EITB.com
Newspaper Gara
Aikor magazine
Itturri, cultural activities.
Topagunea, Federation of Basque Language Associations.
OTHER RESOURCES
NABOeuskaraz.com
Check out the cheatsheat, and some of the lessons.
HABE – IKASBIL
A wealth of resources here (readings, videos, exercises, news…).
Santurtziko Euskaltegia Help System
Audioclips
A website by Euskaljakintza to listen and read in Basque.
Ibaimusic
They carry a comprehensive collection of Basque music which you can buy and then download to your computer.
Movies in Basque - kulturklik
Dramas, comedies and thrillers.
Movies in Basque – EITB
Dramas, comedies and thrillers.
Hiztegia.net
Here you will find encyclopedias, Basque language information by town, and software resources.
Etxepare Institute
News, culture, additional resources.
DICTIONARIES
Elhuyar
Basque<>Spanish online dictionary. This is the one I use the most. You get the translation of the word as well as the word used in a sentence, which makes it easier to understand it in context.
Morris Student Plus
Basque<>English Dictionary. I think it is a bit harder to read the results, and sometimes it won’t find the word I need, but overall it is a very good resource for English speakers with no knowledge of Spanish.
Synonyms
Type in a Basque word inside the box and the click on “Bilatu” to get a list of synonyms.
Euskara dictionary for cellphones
I haven’t tried them yet, but they seem interesting. I just started using the Euskeraz ikasi app for the iPhone, an Spanish<>English dictionary. It is great for emergencies, although a little bit picky, as you have to include the accent marks on Spanish words that require them.
VERBS
Aditzak.com
This is my favorite way to find the verb form I need. However, you need to know what you are looking for (tense, mood, person…). If you are not sure what you need, go to the next items on this list and check out conjugation tables for virtually every verb in Basque.
Verb Tables
Organized by mood (indicative, hypothetical, subjunctive, potential, imperative).
Logos conjugator
It will conjugate for you any of 2516 verbs in all the tenses, including synthetic verbs.
Synthetic verbs (present tense)
A basic list of conjugated synthetic verbs (be, come, go, walk…). Buber’s page has a whole section dedicated to the Basque language, where you can find additional information and resources.
Synthetic verbs (only past tense)
Another basic list of conjugated synthetic verbs, this time in past tense.
DECLENSION
Basque case
Enter the word you wish to decline. They must be lexical entries, as the script can’t analyze nouns which already are declined.
Identifiers
Question words
Adverbs
AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION
Itzultzaile automatikoa
Similar to Google Translate, this tool is useful to translate non-specialized texts and webpages, but it’s only a “help tool”, so don’t expect linguistic correction at 100%. Always have your translation checked by a human translator. For more information, click here. For a news video on the EITB website (in Spanish), click here.
Erdaratu
Another tool for automatic translation. It’s good to have options.
Google Translate
SPELL CHECKERS
Xuxen
The goal is to detect and correct in a convenient and effective way texts written in Euskara. The system offers two modes of correction: 1) Correction. Quick correction. After analyzing the text, XUXEN highlights the unfamiliar words and displays a list of possible fixes; and 2) Advanced correction. Correction word for word. It also offers the ability to manage your custom dictionary, for which you have to be a registered user.
READING MATERIAL
EITB.com
Newspaper Gara
Aikor magazine
Itturri, cultural activities.
Topagunea, Federation of Basque Language Associations.
OTHER RESOURCES
NABOeuskaraz.com
Check out the cheatsheat, and some of the lessons.
HABE – IKASBIL
A wealth of resources here (readings, videos, exercises, news…).
Santurtziko Euskaltegia Help System
Audioclips
A website by Euskaljakintza to listen and read in Basque.
Ibaimusic
They carry a comprehensive collection of Basque music which you can buy and then download to your computer.
Movies in Basque - kulturklik
Dramas, comedies and thrillers.
Movies in Basque – EITB
Dramas, comedies and thrillers.
Hiztegia.net
Here you will find encyclopedias, Basque language information by town, and software resources.
Etxepare Institute
News, culture, additional resources.
