Young Moroccans are speaking out: The changing language market of Morocco

Authors

  • Driss Meskine Ecole Normale Supérieure in Meknes (Université Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco) Author
  • Jan Jaap de Ruiter Tilburg University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/sols.v9i1.24546

Keywords:

Amazigh, Moroccan Arabic, Standard Arabic, French, Morocco, linguistic market

Abstract

This article reports on the outcomes of two major sociolinguistic studies executed among youngsters in Morocco. The first took place in the period 2000–2003 and was carried out among 569 persons; the second took place in the period 2010–2012 among 782 persons. In both cases, a questionnaire was distributed containing questions on language proficiency, language behaviour and language attitudes, focusing on Amazigh (Berber), Moroccan – dialectal – Arabic or Darija, Standard Arabic and French. The studies were done in the light of recent language policies opening up the Kingdom to Amazigh and Moroccan Arabic. The key question is to explore to what extent the linguistic profiles of young Moroccans have undergone changes in the first decade of the new millennium in the language market that characterizes Morocco.

Author Biographies

  • Driss Meskine, Ecole Normale Supérieure in Meknes (Université Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco)
    Holding a PhD in French linguistics, Driss Meskine is research professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Meknes (Moulay Ismail University, Morocco). He has participated in various national and international conferences. He is also he author of several publications on, among other things, generative grammar and Arabic dialectology. He is also active as a translator of Arabic-French works:(2013) Sahîh al-Boukhârî (Revised ranslation), 4 parts. Paris: Editions Universel;(2013) Le prêche religieux: evolution et/ou révolution linguistique. In M. Benítez- Fernández, C. Miller, J. J. de Ruiter and Y. Tamer (eds). Evolution des pratiques et représentations langagières dans le Maroc du vingt-et-unième siècle 14 –156. Paris: l’Harmattan; (2014) Identité territorial et variation linguistique? In J. Boissonneault and A. Reguigui (eds) Langue et territoire. Études en sociolinguistique urbaine / Language and Territory. Studies in Urban Sociolinguistics. Sudbury (Canada): Université Laurentienne.
  • Jan Jaap de Ruiter, Tilburg University
    Jan Jaap de Ruiter studied Arabic language and literature and is assistant professor in Tilburg University (the Netherlands). His research is both on Moroccan sociolinguistics and on Islam in Europe. He has published on both subjects extensively, his works including: (2006) Les jeunes Marocains et leurs langues. Paris: L’Harmattan; (2012) The speck in your brother’s eye. Islam’s perceived war against the West. Amsterdam: Rozenberg Publishers ; Benítez-Fernández, M., Miller, C., de Ruiter. J. J. and Tamer, Y. (eds) (2013) Evolution des pratiques et representations langagières dans le Maroc du vingt-et unième siècle. Paris: L’Harmattan, volumes I and II.

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Published

2015-06-11

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Articles

License

© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

For information regarding our Open Access policy, click here.

How to Cite

Meskine, D., & de Ruiter, J. J. (2015). Young Moroccans are speaking out: The changing language market of Morocco. Sociolinguistic Studies, 9(1), 27-50. https://doi.org/10.1558/sols.v9i1.24546