NAME

Lingua::EU::Numbers - Converts numbers into Bask (Euskara).

SYNOPSIS

# Functional interface 
use Lingua::FR::Numbers;
my $number = shift ;
print "The cardinal value of $number is " . &cardinal2alpha($number) . " in Euskara.\n";
print "The ordinal value of $number is " . &ordinal2alpha($number) . " in Euskara.\n";

DESCRIPTION

This module converts numbers (cardinals and ordinals) into their Bask (Euskara) equivalents. It accepts positive integers up to 1 trillion (excluded). Incidentally, the Bask counting system is vigesimal (base 20).

The module uses unified Bask (Euskara Batua), which sometimes varies from the Bask spoken in the seven Bask provinces, especially from Labourd (Lapurdi) in the Northen Bask Country (Ipar Euskal Herria). However, Euskara Batua is the official Bask taught in Bask schools (Ikastolak) throughout the seven provinces.

For example, the cardinal '18' is 'hemezortzi' in Euskara Batua, while it is 'hamazortzi' in Lapurdi. Those who wish to use their own version of Euskara can export %num2alpha and modify it at their own discretion.

A Bask legend says that even the Devil did not succeed in learning this fascinating and truly unique language, but that should not deter you from doing so! Euskara is an orphan language of mysterious origins, apparently unrelated to any language anywhere else in the world. It is believed to predate the Indo-European invasion and if so, this is one of the world's most ancient languages.

The Basques refer to themselves as Euskaldunak, or 'speakers of the Euskara'. Being part of the Bask Nation is a question of language, not ethnicity or place of birth. There is not even a word for 'being a Bask' in Euskara. So if you learn this fascinating language, you too can become Euskaldun.

FUNCTIONS

cardinal2alpha($number)

This function accepts an integer (scalar) as a parameter and returns a string (array), which is its Bask cardinal equivalent.

It returns undef if: a)the argument passed is not defined, or: b)the argument is not an integer, or: c)the integer passed does not fall between zero and 999,999,999,999.

ordinal2alpha($number)

This function accepts an integer (scalar) as a parameter and returns a string (array), which is its Bask ordinal equivalent.

It returns undef if: a)the argument passed is not defined, or: b)the argument is not an integer, or: c)the integer passed does not fall between zero and 999,999,999,999.

EXPORT

This module exports by default the functions &cardinal2alpha() and &ordinal2alpha(). It can also export the hash %num2alpha.

SOURCE

The Bask encyclopedia "Administrazio-hizkeraren entziklopedia" and its web pages referring to Bask numbers (cardinals and ordinals) at: http://www.ivap.com/eusk/entziklo/kardinal.htm and http://www.ivap.com/eusk/entziklo/ordinal.htm

BUGS AND COMMENTS

If you find one, please use the Request Tracker Interface - http://rt.cpan.org/NoAuth/Bugs.html?Dist=Lingua-EU-Numbers to report it. Esker anitz!

SEE ALSO

Lingua::FR::Numbers

THANKS

Milesker to Briac Pilpré who gave me the idea for this module, and who also thought about exporting the hash %num2alpha for people wanting to use their own version of Euskara.

Esker asko to Deric Gerlach who reviewed my English and my overall pod documentation.

AUTHOR

Isabelle Hernandez, <isabelle@cpan.org>

COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE

Copyright 2002 by Isabelle Hernandez

This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.