The author compiled linguistic evidence related to the hypothesis that Basque and the Caucasian languages are phylogenetically related. Before presentation of this evidence, a discussion of the major methods employed in establishing ancient genetic relationships is included. The comparative method, the lexicostatistical method, and the typological method are studied in some detail. After the treatment of the techniques most frequently employed by linguists in comparative studies, the facts pertaining to the hypothesis that Basque and Caucasian are genetically related are presented. The work of those linguists interested in this topic is reviewed and discussed under the methodological headings introduced earlier. For example, the contributions of Lafon and Bouda are listed under the comparative method; the work of Tovar is considered under the lexicostatistical method; and the research of de Rijk and Tovar is included under the typological method. The evidence gathered from the application of these methods is inconclusive. The work done within the framework of the comparative method has gone as far as postulating some sound correspondences between Basque and Caucasian which have not yet been properly accounted for. The lexicostatistical studies do not show a high percentage of cognates, but this is to be expected due to the time depth of the alleged genetic relationship. The typological research does not conflict with the hypothesis of genetic affiliation, but again, is insufficient proof of the proposed phylogeny. The term "Caucasian languages," as used in this study, is defined, and is accompanied by a listing of these languages and a map showing where they are spoken. There is also a brief linguistic description of these languages. Aspects of the Basque language are described, and a map plus a listing of the dialects is included. Attempts at establishing affiliations between Basque and languages or language families other than Caucasian are mentioned. One chapter is devoted exclusively to non-linguistic factors, examining at length the very unusual blood-type distribution of the Basques. This is then compared with the distributions found among the Caucasian peoples. In the conclusion the author attempts to weigh the case for a Basque-Caucasian relationship in view of the data presented throughout the study. It appears that the evidence is suggestive of a Basque-Caucasian genetic affiliation, but there is a need for firmer proof to be presented before the hypothesis can be referred to as a fact.

Thèse-- Univ. of Paris. / Issued also without thesis note as vol. 1 of the author's Le système du verbe basque au XVIe siècle. "Bibliographie": p. [537]-544.

Thèse complémentaire-- Universit́e de Paris. / "Le présent ouvrage ... suppose et complète celui que j'ai consacré aux formes simples du verbe basque".--Avant-propos. "Bibliographie": p. [165]-168.

This dissertation presents a partial grammar of the Guipuzkoan dialect of Basque, and develops a theory of how to capture the syntactic and morphological relationships between arguments and argument-categorizing-elements (ACEs) in simple sentences. I assume the background of the theory outlined in A Syntax of Luiseno (Steele in prep.). Starting with the assumption that an ACE and an aux(iliary) particle sequence form together the sentential nucleus and represent the minimal requirement for sentencehood, I focus on the representation of the relations between the ACE-argument-structure and the morphological make-up of the aux form, that is, the aux-structure. I argue for a principle which determines whether the aux-structure satisfies the argument requirement of the ACE. In order to characterize overt case-marked constituents, I consider various syntactic phenomena. Then, I introduce and discuss (i) a rule which co-indexes directly an overt constituent with an argument-slot in the ACE-argument-structure, and (ii) a checking device which associates, on the basis of case-matching, an overt constituent with a morpheme (understood as a form plus meaning combination) in the aux-structure. Finally, I investigate the linear distribution of overt case-marked constituents. Special attention is given to the issue of focus in positive and negative simple sentences.

This thesis describes the expression of focus in Basque declarative sentences through the use of morphological, lexical and syntactic devices. It analyzes the different degrees of emphasis that can be provided by the combination of these three types of mechanisms, and the interaction ofthe expression of focus with the expression of the new/given information distinction.This study shows that constituents containing background information normally occur either before the focused element or after the verb, and that topics occur in sentence initial position. Elements whose information is non-contrastive and whose reference is already included in the verbal inflexion are normally deleted. The element with new information always occurs before the verb and receives the highest semantic prominence. The content of the focused element can also be emphasized by morphological means. This combination of syntactic and morphological mechanisms, along with the fact that there are several places in which each sentence element can occur, allow for the occurrence of several degrees of emphatic prominence. / Department of English

Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, June 2007. / Major professor: Martha C. Yopp. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-178). Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 313-329).

The aim of this dissertation is to provide a global perspective of language contact in the Basque region of Rioja Alavesa. In this largely Spanish-speaking monolingual community, an incipient process of language change is occurring. The Basque language is being reintroduced in the area, mainly through the education system. This research seeks to analyze the effects of such language revitalization efforts implemented by the regional government of the Basque Autonomous Community in a traditionally non-Basque speaking area. For that purpose, aspects such as language competence and use, attitudes towards bilingualism and Basque, perceptions of language vitality and identity issues are examined. Chapter One introduces definitions and distinctions related to bilingualism and multilingualism. Terms and concepts relevant to this study are explained and discussed. Chapter Two and Three describe the bilingual situations in the Basque Country and Wales respectively. In chapter Two the geographical, linguistic and historical background is provided, and the situation of the Basque language is examined in detail. This supplies a contextμalization for the research. The description of bilingualism in Wales serves as a comparison with the Basque situation, with the aim of providing a wider perspective to the issues examined in this thesis. Chapter Four presents the methodology and procedures employed in the research investigation. The research tools include quantitative and qualitative methods. Individuals' perceptions of the situation of language contact in Rioja Alavesa were analyzed through interviews and observation work. Questionnaires were used to assess secondary and upper-secondary school students from the region. The results of the research investigation are examined in chapters Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten. Chapter Five introduces the interviews and the observation work carried out in the winter of 2001 in Rioja Alavesa. Chapter Six presents the overall results of the questionnaires, and sets the foundation for further research. In chapters Seven, Eight and Nine, comparisons between students are made, according to their bilingual teaching model, gender, age, and ability to speak Basque. Chapter Ten introduces a model of language contact in Rioja Alavesa. Chapter Eleven provides a summary of this thesis. It reviews the main aims of the thesis, and determines the originality of the research. Moreover, it discusses the major finding of the research and makes suggestions for further research. The limitations of the research are described next. Finally, the chapter examines implications of the research for language change in Rioja Alavesa.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cincinnati, 2001. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 205-215). Online version available on the World Wide Web.