ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Basque language

The Basque language is spoken by some people who live in a place called Basque Country, which is in a part of Europe that includes Spain and France. Just like different countries have different languages, the people in Basque Country have their own special language that they use to talk and write to each other.

What makes Basque language unique is that it's not related to any other language that is spoken in the world. You might know that some languages, like Spanish or French or English, are all related because they came from the same family tree. But the Basque language is like a special tree that grew all on its own, without any other branches nearby.

So, if you learn Basque language, you won't be able to understand any other language just by knowing Basque. And if someone knows only another language, they won't be able to understand Basque just by knowing their language either.

The Basque language has a lot of special rules about how to say things and how to spell words. For example, some letters are pronounced differently than you might expect based on how they look written down. And there are special ways of saying things that you won't find in other languages.

Even though the Basque language is different from many other languages in the world, the people in Basque Country are proud to speak and write it. They have special schools where kids can learn how to speak, read, and write in Basque, so that they can keep their language and culture strong for generations to come.