Morocco language

Morocco is a country of natural, cultural and linguistic diversity. What language is spoken in Morocco? What is the official language in the country? Few tourists can answer these questions correctly, because the language situation in the country is really difficult…

Arabic

The main state language of Morocco, according to the Constitution, is Arabic. In each of the Arab countries, Arabic exists in 2 forms: in the form of standard classical Arabic, used in official cases and in writing, and in the form of a colloquial dialect, in which people communicate in everyday life. The latter has simpler grammar, differs in vocabulary, and does not have strict norms. There are 3 large groups of Arabic-spoken dialects:

1. dialects of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain…) 2. Levantine dialects (Syria, Lebanon,

Palestine, Jordan..)

3. Egyptian dialect

4. Maghreb dialects (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya..)

Speakers of these dialects understand each other with varying degrees of confidence. So, for example, the Egyptian dialect is understandable to all Arabs, thanks to the great popularity of Egyptian films and songs. Dialects of the Maghreb are the least understood by representatives of other groups, because they are heavily mixed with French, Berber and other languages, differing in pronunciation and vocabulary. The Moroccan-spoken dialect of Arabic is called Darija.

Standard Classical Arabic (aka the language of the Quran) is very complex and requires special study at school. Not all educated Moroccans are fluent in it. However, his knowledge is necessary for work in administration, teaching, and understanding the media.

Berber language

In 2011, as a result of a constitutional amendment, a second official language, Berber, appeared in the country. No one knows the exact ratio of Arabs and Berbers in the country. Many Moroccans born into mixed Arab and Berber families and Berbers who moved from the countryside to the city gradually forgot their own language. In this case, Berber is used mainly in rural areas for daily communication. According to rough estimates, about one-third of Moroccans use it to communicate every day. In Morocco, the Berber language exists in the form of three main dialects, whose speakers are difficult understanding each other.

1) Tarifit – the dialect of the Rif region in the north of the country

2) Tashelhit – the dialect spoken in the south of Morocco (Marrakech, Agadir…).

(3) Tamazikht – the dialect of central Morocco (Middle and High Atlas Mountains and its eastern part).
East) dialects.

Berber is considered very difficult to learn, but knowing 2-3 words in Berber will help you easily win over the merchants in the markets of Marrakech and get better prices! Berber words are widely found in the names of cities and places in Morocco, many of which start with Ta-. Tafraout, Tiznit, Taghazout, Tamegrut, Tazzarin…

French

The third important language in Morocco is French. As you know, from 1912 to 1956, most of Morocco’s territory was under French protection. During this period, the French language, administration, and culture took root in the country. Despite the Arabisation policies that took place after the collapse of the protectorate, French remains an important language in the country to this day. French is no longer the national language of Morocco, but without knowledge of this language, it is almost impossible to get a qualified job here. French is the language of commercial exchange and communication and, to a large extent, of culture and education. Almost every urban resident in Morocco (except in Northern and Western Sahara) knows at least a basic level of French.

Spanish

The northern part of Morocco from 1912 to 1956.

It was part of the Spanish protectorate, with its capital in Tetouan. Spain also controlled the region now called Western Sahara. For this reason, Spanish is now more widely spoken in the region than French and can be traced back to Spanish cultural influence. Don’t forget to say “por favour” and “gracias” when ordering paella or bocadillo at restaurants in Tangier or Tetuan. Street signs and restaurant menus are written in Spanish and locals will speak to you in Spanish by default. The interest in Spanish in Morocco is supported by the fact that Spain is one of the most popular destinations for Moroccan immigrants.

English language

English in Morocco is quite common and is gaining more and more popularity among young people. Knowledge of English is considered prestigious and helps to get a good job. Almost all employees of the tourism and service sector can speak English at least at a basic level, so tourists in Morocco never have problems with communication!

Graphic language

In Morocco, as before, a significant part of the population cannot read and write, and part of the Berbers do not speak the official language – Arabic. Especially for them, many shops and institutions (especially in rural areas) put graphic images on signs: a hairdresser will draw scissors and a comb on a sign, a dentist – teeth, a chicken seller – chicken and eggs…

How does the average Moroccan survive in all this linguistic diversity? In the morning at breakfast, he watches the news in standard Arabic. On his way to work, he listens to a radio broadcast where the host addresses a studio guest in French, who answers him in Moroccan darije. At work, he sends emails, signs contracts, and makes phone calls in French. In between, he talks to his colleagues, starting a phrase in Darije and ending in French. For greater persuasiveness, he can insert a couple of phrases in English. He orders food in a
restaurant from a menu in French. Going to a notary, he certifies documents on the registration of an inheritance or the sale of an apartment in standard classical Arabic. In the evening he goes to the cinema to watch a film in French or to the theatre, where the entertainer makes an opening speech in French and classical Arabic alternately. He writes sms to his wife in Moroccan Darije in Latin, replacing many letters with numbers (like this: Sba7 15 ir! labs 3 lik?) Several of his Moroccan friends don’t speak Arabic at all because they went to French schools. Having Gone to the mountains to relax for the weekend, this Moroccan does not understand a damn thing that the local Berbers are talking about. Fortunately, they understand it, but they do not understand the Berber alphabet at all, which the state began to use on the signs of all government institutions, along with Arabic and French (yes, every sign is in 3 languages!), because to teach Berber writing in Morocco began only a few years ago, and even then only in some schools …

If you suddenly want to discuss aloud Moroccans in a public place, keep in mind that they can answer you in Chanies … According to statistics, almost every Moroccan family has someone who studied in Russia!