Morocco is a multilingual nation with a rich and complicated past. Moroccan Arabic, Berber languages, and French are the most frequently spoken languages in Morocco. Spanish and English are also spoken in Morocco.
Morocco’s employment of numerous languages reflects the country’s unique culture and past. Moroccan Arabic is the country’s lingua franca, and it is utilized in many spheres of life. A sizable minority of Moroccans speak the indigenous Berber languages. The usage of French in government, education, and business is a relic of the country’s colonial heritage. Here are the main languages you might hear while in Morocco:
Tamazight (Tifinagh)
The Imazighen are a native tribe of North Africa who speak Tamazight, a Berber language. It is one of Morocco’s three official languages, along with Arabic and French. Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania also speak Tamazight.
Tamazight is an Afroasiatic language family member, along with Arabic, Hebrew, and Amharic. It is supposed to have developed some 10,000 years ago in the Sahara Desert. Tamazight is a varied language with several dialects that are sometimes incomprehensible to one another.
Over the ages, Tamazight has been written in a number of scripts, including the Libyco-Berber script, the Tifinagh script, and the Latin alphabet. The Latin alphabet is now the most often used script for writing Tamazight.
Tamazight culture is rich in poetry, music, and oral traditions. In Morocco, the language is also utilized in education, the media, and the government.
Also read: The Meaning, Colors, And History Of The Moroccan Flag
Moroccan Darija (Arabic)
Almost all Moroccans are Arab or Berber. Moroccan Arabic, often known as Darija Arabic, is the country’s most frequently spoken language. More than 85% of Moroccans speak Moroccan Arabic. The majority of people use it in casual conversation, at work, and in other informal settings.
Moroccan Arabic is markedly different from Modern Standard Arabic and other dialects.
It has a lot of Berber influence, among other things. Berber is a whole different language group, but more on that later.
Moroccans use Modern Standard Arabic in more formal settings. Classical Arabic is a renowned language in Morocco.
French
The French were brought to Morocco for the first time during the French colonial era, which lasted from 1912 to 1956. French was the language of government, education, and the media at the time. Following Morocco’s independence, French remained a vital language in the nation. Many government agencies, corporations, and schools still utilize it.
Today, it is believed that 25 to 50% of Moroccans speak French. People of various ages and ethnicities are included. Although French is most often spoken in cities, it is also spoken in many rural places. French is spoken throughout Morocco, but it is most commonly spoken in the following places:
- Urban areas: Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Fez, Agadir
- Tourist destinations: Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Merzouga, and Ouarzazate
- Government institutions: Parliament, ministries, courts
- Businesses: Large corporations, banks, hotels
- Schools: Universities, colleges, and high schools
Modern Standard Arabic
Morocco, like the majority of Arab-speaking nations, uses Modern Standard Arabic in government, education, and the news media. Although it is not a native language anywhere in the Arab world, it has become the unifying lingua franca across nations where people speak a variety of dialects of Arabic. Using Modern Standard Arabic helps individuals in all of these nations communicate with one another.
Also read: Hidden Gems: Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations In Morocco
Classical Arabic
Classical Arabic is a language associated with status, formality, and religion. It may be found in religious rituals, ancient literature, and intellectual endeavors.
Is French recognized as an official language in Morocco?
Despite the fact that it is not classified as an official language, most Moroccans know French as a result of France’s history of occupation in Morocco. In 1907, the French established a military occupation. It lasted until 1956, when Morocco gained independence.
However, the language has survived, and in Morocco, French is second only to classical Arabic in terms of status. Many educated Moroccans speak it, and it is still used in commerce, medicine, university courses, and diplomatic relations.
Morocco is a member of the Francophonie, a group that includes nations or territories where the majority of the population speaks French.
What other languages might you expect to hear in Morocco?
Spanish
Spain has conquered Morocco multiple times throughout the ages. Spain retains ownership of the Moroccan Mediterranean coast towns of Melilla and Ceuta. Since the 15th century, these cities have been under Spanish control. The cities have caused diplomatic friction between the two nations. Moroccans feel they are Moroccans and that Spain is an occupier.
The cities are located on Europe’s only land border with Africa. They also give birth to a new linguistic quirk.
Over 20% of Moroccans are fluent in Spanish. Spanish-language programming is carried on TV and radio stations throughout the northern areas. People grow up speaking both Arabic and Spanish, and businesses communicate in Spanish. Morocco has a number of Spanish-language institutions.
English
More and more educated Moroccans are studying English. As English becomes a prominent worldwide language, the number continues to rise.
Conclusion
Morocco is a multilingual nation with a rich and complicated past. Moroccan Arabic, Berber languages, and French are the most commonly spoken languages. Spanish, English, and Hassaniyya Arabic are among the other languages spoken.
Morocco’s usage of several languages reflects the country’s rich culture and past. Moroccan Arabic is the country’s lingua franca, and it is utilized in many spheres of life. A sizable minority of Moroccans speak the indigenous Berber languages. The usage of French in government, education, and business is a relic of the country’s colonial heritage. Other languages spoken by smaller groups of people include Spanish, English, and Hassaniyya Arabic.
Morocco’s language future is unknown, but the country’s linguistic variety remains a great advantage.
