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Gotzon Garate Goihartzun
Gotzon Garate.jpg
Born (1934-09-01)1 September 1934
Died 1 October 2008(2008-10-01) (aged 74)
Nationality Spanish
Occupation Writer, linguist
Gotzon Garate Liburutegia
Gotzon Garate Library, in Elgoibar

Gotzon Garate Goihartzun (born September 1, 1934 – died October 1, 2008) was an important writer and language expert from the Basque Country in Spain. He was also a Jesuit priest and a linguist, meaning he studied languages.

He was known for collecting different ways people spoke the Basque language in various areas. He also worked hard to make the Basque language stronger by removing words borrowed from the Castilian tongue. Gotzon Garate was a polyglot, which means he could speak many languages. He knew most of the Romance languages, English, German, Hindi, and several others. He often traveled to countries to learn their languages directly.

His Love for Languages

Gotzon Garate was born in Elgoibar, a town in the Basque Country. From a young age, he showed a great interest in how people communicate. He dedicated much of his life to understanding and preserving the Basque language.

Studying Basque and Other Tongues

He made a big impact on Basque philology, which is the study of the Basque language, its history, and literature. He worked to make the Basque language purer by reducing words that had come from Spanish. His ability to speak many languages helped him compare them and understand how they work. He would visit countries just to learn their local language.

His Books and Writings

Gotzon Garate wrote many different kinds of books. He wrote stories, novels, and essays. He also wrote chronicles about his travels and even dictionaries.

Stories and Novels

He wrote many fictional works, including short stories and longer novels. These books often explored different ideas and characters. Some of his well-known novels include Alaba and Hadesen erresumarantz.

Essays and Chronicles

Garate also wrote essays, which are non-fiction pieces where he shared his thoughts and research. He wrote about the history of Basque novels and even about famous thinkers like Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. He also wrote chronicles, which are like detailed travel diaries. For example, he wrote about his experiences in India harrigarria (Amazing India) and New York City.

Dictionaries and Collections

He created dictionaries, like Erdarakadak, which helped people understand words. He also helped collect and publish works by other Basque writers, showing his dedication to Basque culture.

See also

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