Moroccan Arabic, also known as Darija, is the most common language spoken in Morocco and one of its official languages. Darija is influenced by several other languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish, and Berber. Berber, also called Amazigh, is a language native to the Indigenous people of North Africa. It has been spoken in Morocco far longer than Arabic and is also recognized as an official language. In rural areas, Berber is still widely spoken. Despite some Berber influence in Darija, Moroccan Arabic speakers like myself often find Berber difficult to understand. While it has a familiar tone, the words can be hard to decipher and there is not a high mutual intelligence between these two varieties.
Darija itself is not mutually intelligible with its linguistic influences or with other dialects of Arabic. Although it is considered a dialect of Arabic, most Arabic speakers from other regions struggle to understand Moroccan Arabic. However, Darija speakers can usually understand other Arabic dialects because they are taught Modern Standard Arabic in schools, religious settings, or through television and news outlets.
Standard Arabic is a required second language for all children in public elementary schools and is also used as the main language for teaching in high schools and universities. It is viewed as a “unifying language” for the Arab world and is the primary language for public religious expression (Hall, 2008, p. 13).
Darija is not a standardized written language, which is why Standard Arabic is heavily emphasized in schools. This education in Standard Arabic allows Moroccan speakers to effectively communicate with speakers of other Arabic dialects, despite the significant differences between Darija and other forms of Arabic. Moroccan Arabic is the native language of about two-thirds of Morocco’s population, and it is the only language spoken in the country that lacks an official standardized writing system (Hall, 2008, p. 13).
This brings us to the fact that many Moroccans are multilingual. While the official languages in Morocco are Darija, Standard Arabic, and Berber, French is widely spoken, with Spanish and English also gaining popularity. Knowing French is often seen as an asset in Morocco.
It’s associated with being more educated and is especially useful for government jobs or in the business world. For many years, Moroccan children were taught both Standard Arabic and French in school, learning how to read and write in both languages. Spanish is more common in northern Morocco because of its proximity to Spain, while English is becoming more popular as it’s now being taught to children in private schools across the country.
Darija has a lot of different forms across Morocco, depending on the city, region, gender, and social class. For example, the Darija spoken in Casablanca can sound really different from the Darija you’d hear in a smaller town like Chefchaouen or in rural areas.
Ennaji argues that a key difference in Moroccan Arabic lies between urban varieties, commonly called *mdini*, and rural varieties, known as *ʻrubi* (2005:59) (Hall, 2008, p. 15).
There are also some differences between how men and women speak.Women, especially in cities or middle-class families, might use softer tones and mix in more French words. Men’s Darija can sound more traditional or rural, depending on where they’re from. In a study on language variation in Fes, Morocco, it was discovered that women tend to use diminutives and tag questions more frequently than men (Hall, 2008, p. 16). According to the Cambridge Dictionary, diminutives refer to the process of modifying the endings of words (blue-y)(Cambridge Dictionary). According to BYJU, tag questions are statements that then are posed as questions by adding a short question in the end like, isn’t it? At the end of their already formulated and opinionated statement(BJYU, N/A). Social class plays a big role too. In wealthier areas, people tend to mix Darija with French, making it sound more modern. In working-class or rural areas, Darija usually has more Amazigh (Berber) influences and is less mixed with other languages.
Our First Round of Interviews are below for Morocco. We attempted to get information about Belle’s criteria as they are applicable to our interviwee, Madiha Benelkour
Variety #3 Darija
Location- Morocco
Interviewer- Aya Chafik
Interviewee- Madiha Benelkour
Vitality–
Madiha grew up in Morocco, the eldest of six children, and her first language was Darija, an Arabic dialect widely spoken in the country. Since Darija is Morocco’s primary language, it came naturally to her. She attended school and also took on the role of teaching her younger siblings. In Morocco, learning a second language, typically French, is mandatory in schools due to the country’s history as a former French colony, and it is seen as an important skill. In her household, Madiha and her husband spoke both English and Darija with their two children. While both children understand Darija to some extent, only one is fluent in speaking it. Of Madiha’s mother’s 13 grandchildren, only Madiha’s daughter can both speak and understand Darija.
Historicity-
Madiha frequently visits Morocco, allowing her to maintain a deep connection to her homeland and the familiarity of her roots. Despite the fact that her parents, siblings, and their children all reside in the United States, Madiha remains closely tied to her native language. Regular visits with her family, several times a week, create opportunities for her to speak Darija, preserving her cultural and linguistic bond. These moments of immersion help her sustain the feeling of home, no matter where she is.
Standardization-
Madiha explains that Standard Arabic is primarily used in the Quran, as well as in news and media outlets. Most Arabic-speaking countries can read and write in Standard Arabic because it closely resembles their spoken dialects, such as Levantine Arabic. However, Darija, the Arabic dialect spoken in Morocco, is quite different from Standard Arabic, making it harder for Darija speakers to understand. Despite this, Madiha is able to understand Standard Arabic.
Autonomy-
Madiha believes that Darija, the Moroccan Arabic dialect, is quite distinct from many other Arabic dialects. It has been shaped by a blend of Berber (the native Moroccan language), Arabic, Spanish, and French influences. Because of this unique combination, speakers of other Arabic dialects often struggle to understand Darija. Despite this, Madiha has made a significant effort to learn other Arabic dialects to communicate with the broader Arab community. However, she observes that people from other Arabic-speaking countries rarely make the effort to learn Darija.
Mixture–
Morocco was colonized by France from 1912 to 1955, which introduced numerous opportunities, including the widespread adoption of French as a second language. This linguistic advantage has opened doors for Moroccans in various global contexts. Additionally, from 1912 to 1958, Morocco was colonized by Spain, which left a lasting influence on its cuisine. Many Moroccan dishes today reflect Spanish culinary traditions. Both of these countries have had a significant influence on Morocco’s language.
