Radio Interview: ECMI researcher Maddi Dorronsoro Olamusu about her research project on Basque

Our colleague Maddi Dorronsoro Olamusu was recently interviewed by Segura Irratia, a local Basque radio station primarily broadcasting in the province of Gipuzkoa and surrounding areas, with  online accessibility as well. Their programme ‘Bixi bixi’ discusses various topics related to the Basque language and the interview with Maddi was aired on 13 November, and is available as a podcast  here.  As the interview was conducted in Basque, we have provided a summary below.   

The radio host asked about the ECMI and the reception of her project on Basque at the centre, the presence of Basque in the minority language scene, and different aspects of her research project. Her current research focuses on the attitudes of Basque speakers in the arnasguneak –municipalities where the use of the Basque language is dominant due to the high density of speakers– towards the Basque language and the new migration in their communities, which often has a different linguistic profile and has brought some changes in recent years.  

Maddi conducted interviews for her research project in October across three towns in Gipuzkoa (Aizarnazabal, Segura and Zestoa), focusing on how participants felt speaking in Basque versus switching to Spanish, their views on the local and general status of Basque, and their expectations of new migrants regarding the language. The project is now in the data processing and analysis phase, but Maddi shared some initial reflections. For example, the participants’ concern that the Basque language is struggling even in its heartlands, and although migration was identified by the participants as a significant factor, they also mentioned other important elements such as social media. Maddi also expressed her gratitude to the association UEMA (Udal Euskaldunen Mankomunitatea translated as the Union of Basque Municipalities) and the town halls of Aizarnazabal, Segura and Zestoa for their support during fieldwork.  

In addition to her main research, she briefly discussed a smaller project with Craig Willis on Basque Media Outlets’ use of TikTok.