Basque phrasebook

Basque (euskara) is a language spoken in the Basque Country (Gipuzkoa, Araba, Bizkaia) and Navarra (all of them in Spain) as well as in the French Basque Country (Labourd, Soule and Basse-Navarre). As a language isolate, it is something of a linguistic curiosity; it has no relatives among any other living languages, in Europe or anywhere else, and is probably related to other languages spoken in Spain before the arrival of the Romans. The language was long suppressed by national governments in France and Spain, but in the 20th century, it reemerged as a living language, partly as a political statement for Basque independence.

Learning Basque is generally not necessary for communication, as essentially all Basque speakers on the Spanish side of the border are able to speak Spanish as well, while those on the French side of the border are also able to speak French. Nevertheless, locals are proud of their language, so learning at least some basic phrases and greetings will help to endear you to them.