Ethnologue 14 report for language code:GSC

GASCON: a language of France

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: GSC

ISO 639-1: oc

ISO 639-2: oci

Population

250,000 speakers in France (1990 P. Blanchet), The population in the Béarn region of southern Gasconha, France is 400,000 (1982); 51% speak Gascon, 70% understand it, 85% are in favor of saving it. Population total both countries 254,800.

Region

Gascogne Province, from Médoc to the Pyrénées, from the Atlantic to the Catalan area. Béarnese is spoken by a strong majority in the Béarn. Also spoken in Spain.

Alternate names

OCCITAN

Dialects

LANDAIS, BÉARNAIS (BIARNESE), ARIÉGEOIS, ARANESE.

Classification

Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, Oc.

Comments

Gascon, Languedocien, and Limousin are structurally separate languages (F.B. Agard). Gascon speakers have some intelligibility of Provençal; some or limited intelligibility of Languedocien (reports differ). Inherently intelligible with Aranese Gascon in Spain, which is a dialect. Literacy rate in first language: Much lower than in Spain. Bible portions 1583-1983.

Also spoken in:

Spain

Language name	GASCON, ARANESE
Population	3,814 speakers, plus 1,283 who understand it in Spain (1991 linguistic census) out of 5,922 in the valley (1991 census).
Alternate names	ARANÉS, ARANESE, ARNAIS, GASCON, ARANESE OCCITAN
Dialects	BAISH ARANÉS, MIJARANÉS ARANÉS, NAUT ARANÉS.
Comments	Some regional variation. Inherently intelligible with Commingese Gascon of France. Not as close to Limousin, Auvergnat, Languedocien, or Provençal, related languages of France. Over half the speakers are fluent in French, Spanish, Catalan, or Occitan. Catalan and Spanish are taught in school. About half of those in Spain also speak French because of commercial traffic both ways across the border. Most occasions. Speakers in Spain: 532 ages 2-14, 775 15-29, 733 30-44, 750 45-64, 609 over 65, 9 without age indicated. The Aranese magazine 'Toti' is published monthly. The Center of Linguistic Normalization is dedicated to the promotion of its use. Called 'Aranese' in France. Aranese is influenced by Catalan and Spanish more than French. Official language. Literacy rate in first language: 32% Aranese. Literacy rate in second language: Nearly 100% in Spanish, 50% in Catalan. Own orthography in Spain. Taught regularly in school since 1984. Newspapers. Bible portions 1583-1983. See main entry under France.