ANDONI SARRIEGI ESKISABEL.
Abstract:
The author of the article and our collaborator Mr Andoni Sarriegi bases the calculus of Basque language use in the town of Beasain (Gipuzkoa, Basque Country) on a mathematical model.
This mathematical model, a major contribution of Basque sociolinguistics, was developed by a number of University of the Basque Country professors during the 90s of the 20th century, such as doctors Txillardegi and Xabier Isasi.
The model considers the percentage of Basque speakers, the allegiance to language of Basque speakers and the frequency of interactions between Basque and Spanish speakers. The measurements of Basque language use in public areas have evinced the reliability of this model, revealing strong similarities between theoretical and real use of Basque. The case of Beasain discussed in this article confirms the model, since the real use of Basque, rising to 35 %, conforms to its theoretical use with only small variance.
