Editing Basque language (section)

== Writing system ==
{{Main|Basque alphabet}}
[[File:Ascain Stèle discoïdale.jpg|thumb|An example of Basque lettering in a funerary stela]]

Basque is written using the [[Latin script]] including {{anglebracket|[[ñ]]}} and sometimes {{anglebracket|[[ç]]}} and {{anglebracket|[[ü]]}}. Basque does not use {{anglebracket|c, q, v, w, y}} for native words, but the Basque alphabet (established by [[Euskaltzaindia]]) does include them for loanwords:<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.euskaltzaindia.net/arauak/dok/Araua_0017.pdf| title = Basque alphabet}}</ref>
:⟨Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, Ññ, Oo, Pp, Qq, Rr, Ss, Tt, Uu, Vv, Ww, Xx, Yy, Zz⟩

The phonetically meaningful [[Digraph (orthography)|digraphs]] {{anglebracket|dd, ll, [[rr (digraph)|rr]], ts, tt, tx, tz}} are treated as pairs of letters.

All letters and digraphs represent unique [[phoneme]]s. The main exception is when {{anglebracket|i}} precedes {{anglebracket|l}} and {{anglebracket|n}}, which in most dialects palatalises their sounds into {{IPA|/[[ʎ]]/}} and {{IPA|/[[ɲ]]/}}, even if these are not written. Hence, {{lang|eu|[[Ikurriña]]}} can also be written {{lang|eu|Ikurrina}} without changing the sound, whereas the proper name {{lang|eu|Ainhoa}} requires the mute {{anglebracket|h}} to break the palatalisation of the {{anglebracket|n}}.

[[File:Basquefontsample.png|thumb|left|The letters of the alphabet in a Basque style font]]

{{anglebracket|h}} is mute in most regions, but it is pronounced in many places in the north-east, the main reason for its existence in the Basque alphabet.
Its acceptance was a matter of contention during the standardisation process because the speakers of the most extended dialects had to learn where to place {{anglebracket|h}}, silent for them.

In [[Sabino Arana]]'s (1865–1903) alphabet,<ref name="Arana">''Lecciones de ortografía del euskera bizkaino'', Arana eta Goiri'tar Sabin, Bilbao, Bizkaya'ren Edestija ta Izkerea Pizkundia, 1896 (Sebastián de Amorrortu).</ref> digraphs {{Angle bracket|ll}} and {{Angle bracket|rr}} were replaced with {{anglebracket|[[ĺ]]}} and {{anglebracket|[[ŕ]]}}, respectively.

A typically Basque style of lettering is sometimes used for inscriptions.
It derives from the work of stone and wood carvers and is characterised by thick [[serif]]s.

=== Number system used by millers ===
[[File:Errotarienzenbakiak.jpg|thumb|An example of the number system employed by millers]]
Basque millers traditionally employed a separate number system of unknown origin.<ref>Aguirre Sorondo ''Tratado de Molinología – Los Molinos de Guipúzcoa'' Eusko Ikaskuntza 1988 {{ISBN|84-86240-66-2}}</ref> In this system the symbols are arranged either along a vertical line or horizontally. On the vertical line the single digits and [[Fraction (mathematics)|fractions]] are usually off to one side, usually at the top. When used horizontally, the smallest units are usually on the right and the largest on the left. As with the Basque system of counting in general, it is [[vigesimal]] (base 20). Although it is in theory capable of indicating numbers above 100, most recorded examples do not go above 100. Fractions are relatively common, especially {{1/2}}.

The exact systems used vary from area to area but generally follow the same principle with 5 usually being a diagonal line or a curve off the vertical line (a '''V''' shape is used when writing a 5 horizontally). Units of ten are usually a horizontal line through the vertical. The twenties are based on a circle with intersecting lines. This system is no longer in general use but is occasionally employed for decorative purposes.