Abstract
This article presents the results of an investigation into the reasons why adult French speakers learn Basque. The study objectives are first, to describe the different motivations of language learners through a poll of 500 individuals, and second, to ascertain the factors that initiate action—namely, enrolling in Basque language classes—by conducting semi-directed interviews with 35 individuals, ranging from 27 to 74 years of age. The second phase of the research is based on a representative sampling of participants, as well as on the development of thematic interview guidelines. One of the significant results from this study substantiates a system shaped by three factors (instigating mechanism, relaying individual, and temporal factor), which appears at the root of the decision to learn Basque. This research thus provides insight into understanding the motivation and instruction of languages through the example of Basque, a minority language situated in a francophone context. The utility of this research is also to demonstrate the existence and significance of subjective factors affecting the motivation of adults learning Basque.