Vasconic substrate hypothesis

In support of this argument, Vennemann cites, inter alia:

• cultural similarities noted by Marija Gimbutas;
• parallels in geographical toponyms which may be relics of a pre-Indo-European substratum, including
  • numerous examples from Old European hydronymy and maritime terminology, noted by scholars such as Hans Krahe, that do not necessarily have an Indo-European root, such as words in West Germanic languages for "sea" (Dutch zee) and "ice" (Dutch ijs) that are similar to their respective Basque counterparts, i.e. itsaso and izotz;[8]
  • the similarity of names like Val d'Aran, Arundel, and Arendal to (for example) the Standard Basque word haran ('valley');[9]
  • the similarity of names containing "Eber-" with Basque: ibar ('valley'; 'river mouth').[10]

Elements of vigesimal ("base-20") counting/numerical systems, which Vennemann regards as a trait of Vasconic languages,[2] exist in Celtic and Danish, French.[3]^{: 530–539}[11]^: 461

Evidence from genetics and blood types, shows that the modern Basque people share physical characteristics with old populations throughout Western and Central Europe, especially in likely refugia areas, such as mountain ranges.[12][7]

The hypothesis has been largely rejected by historical linguists.[4][13] Vennemann's theories on "Vasconic" toponymy and hydronymy were opposed by linguists such as P. R. Kitson (1996),[14] and Baldi & Richard (2006), who pointed out that most linguists see unusual European hydronyms as more likely to have Indo-European roots of some kind,[4] and the Indo-European linguist Michael Meier-Brügger.[15]

German linguist Dieter H. Steinbauer argued that it is difficult to argue on the basis of Basque because:

• its status as an isolate means that there is insufficient historical data for the reconstruction of the substratal language and;
• Basque itself has adopted many words from Indo-European languages.

Steinbauer also criticized Vennemann for

• assuming that a Vasconic substratal language would necessarily share with Basque a feature of root words with initial consonant clusters;
• ignoring indications that the ancient Etruscan language seems more closely related to western Anatolian languages, and for
• several methodological flaws, concluding that "a scientific discourse with Vennemann must face insurmountable obstacles".[16]

The Bascologist Joseba Lakarra rejects Vennemann's Vasconic etymologies, as he considers them to be incompatible with the current state of research on historical phonology and morphology of Basque.[17] Larry Trask concludes that Vennemann found an aglutinating language unrelated to Basque, which could e.g. be Indo-European.[18]

Harald Bichlmeier points out that Vennemann compares the etymological roots of the toponymy with modern Basque words. This is incoherent, as the comparison should be done using the reconstructed forms of Proto-Basque.[19]^: 424

Jürgen Udolph shows that some of the assumed Vasconic roots are in fact Indo-European like Vennemann's *muna, especially since Proto-Basque lacked word initial /m/.[20] Stefan Georg adds, that some roots do not exist in Basque or Proto-Basque.[13]

According to Lutz Reichardt the hypothesis is based on the assumption that "settlement continuity exists and that this means continuity of names throughout all languages being spoken in that settlement".[21]^: 399 Furthermore, he criticizes the methodology applied by those who support he Vasconian hypothesis:[21]^: 405

[The words] are segmented arbitrarily and some segments are explained poorly, others are not explained at all. In addition, the elments -ingen, -hûsen, -dorf, -bach etc. are supposed to have been added to the toponymy at a later date although there is no proof for this assumption in historical documents.[21]^: 405

Hayim Y. Sheynin, an expert on Semitic languages, reviewed the work of Vennemann and concluded that his reasoning is based on outdated data and scientific works rejected by critics. He states that much of the evidence presented for an Afro-Asiatic stratum is objectable and based on mere sound similarities only.[22]

Peter Anreiter noted that toponymy with an unknown meaning can be "interpreted" in almost any language. To demonstrate his point, he then "interprets" the Vasconisms proposed by Vennemann as Turkish words.[23]^: 25–27 Nonetheless he states that words with plausible Indo-European etymology should be considered as toponymy of Indo-European origin.[23]^: 63

Piotr Gąsiorowski cautioned that it is unclear whether or not an Old European Hydronymy exists at all. According to him it is mere speculation to postulate an etymology for similarly-appearing toponymy from a vast area without being able to show that they are indeed from the same substratum.[24]

Vennemann argues that the vigesimal numerical systems in the modern Celtic languages, in French and Danish are a remnant of the Vasconic vigesimal counting system. According to Manfred Kudlek, Old Irish and Gallic did not have vigesimal counting systems and neither did Old Norse. The vigesimal systems in the respective languages developed during the Middle Ages, e.g. Danish started to use a vigesimal system in the 13th/14th century. Therefore, the French system cannot be the result of Celtic influence.[25] Kudlek proposes that the Celtic and Danish systems are loans from French.[25] Brigitte Bauer, too, rejects substratal influence. She suggests that intrasocietal developments, e.g. in the monetary system, may explain the adoption of vigesimal systems.[26]

Manfred Kayser and Lutz Roewer, both experts on genetics, commented in 2013 that genetics do not reveal anything about the languages spoken by the individuums. Furthermore, the information genetics can deliver on population historical hypothesis is limited.[27]

Dieterlen and Bengtson find the distribution of blood factors and haploid groups is convincing evidence for Basque settlement in Western Europe before the Indo-Europeans settled there in line with Vennemann's hypothesis. They note that similarity between the distributions in Basque areas and Sardinia.[28]