Morocco’s official language is Arabic; we know that Morocco is a North African country located in the Maghreb. Its population includes Amazighs, Arabs, Moors, and Gnaouas, with Arabs and Amazighs making up the majority (together, 99.1% of the total population). Because of these demographics, Morocco’s official and primary languages are Arabic and Amazigh. The Amazigh are indigenous and have been gradually Arabized. The Maghreb Arabs first appeared in the 12th century when they conquered the Maghreb and introduced Islam and the Arabic language. By adopting Islam, the Amazighs preserved their traditional laws. Other languages in Morocco include Arabic and Amazighdialects and foreign languages such as French, Spanish, and English.
Morocco’s Official Language
Arabic
One of Morocco’s two official languages, Arabic, is spoken by 80-90% of Moroccans, including many Amazigh speakers. There are three variants of the Arabic language used in the country: Moroccan Darija Arabic, Standard Arabic, and Classical Arabic. Moroccans do not use Standard Arabic for conversation in informal settings such as at home or on the street; its use is limited to schools, mosques, and administrative offices. Classical Arabic functions in the literary and cultural aspects of the country, as well as in traditional informal speech and religious discussions.
Amazigh
In rural areas, Amazigh is the primary vocabulary. Along with Moroccan Arabic, it is the most spoken language in informal contexts. Amazigh is not used in writing, being a mother tongue. Many Moroccans need to place it on an equal footing with Arabic, and as such, it lacks prestigious status. The fact that Amazigh has several dialects, which reduces the domain of each variant of the language, contributes to this low esteem. Amazigh is spoken by 60 to 80% of Moroccans.
Indigenous Languages Spoken In Morocco
Arabic dialect
Moroccan Arabic, also known as Moroccan Darija, is, along with the Amazigh language, an indigenous vernacular spoken in informal settings at home and on the street and is also not used in writing. Moroccan Arabic is used primarily in speech and casual conversation. Many Amazighs can speak Moroccan Arabic well and use it as a common language. The Amazigh language has too many forms, making it hard for people from different backgrounds to understand each other. Another Arabic dialect is Hassanic Arabic, also known as Hassānīya, spoken by 0.7% of Moroccans.
Amazigh dialects
Amazigh dialects include the Riffian dialect, used in the Rif region of northern Morocco, with the fewest speakers. Souss-Massa-Draa, Marrakech-Tensift, Tadla, and Azilal are where the Tachlhit dialect is spoken. It is also the Amazigh dialect, with most people who can say it. In central Morocco, the Tamazight dialect is standard and is the second Amazigh dialect in the country. Amazigh dialects include the Senhaja dialects of Srair, Ghomara, Figuig Shilha, and Eastern Zenati.
Main foreign languages are spoken in Morocco.
The main foreign languages spoken in Morocco are French, Spanish and English. Speaking by 33 to 39% of Moroccans, French is second only to Arabic as a prestigious language in Morocco; the use is mainly in administration, business, and diplomacy? Spanish is spoken by 21% of Moroccans, with usage primarily in the North, where Spain once occupied territories. English is spoken by 14% of Moroccans and is mainly used by educated youth.
Moroccan sign language
Developed by United States Peace Corps volunteers in Tetouan in 1987, Moroccan Sign Language is used by deaf people in Tetouan and other cities. The use of the language is not countrywide, and some major cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier do not use it. For example, Algerian sign language is used in Oujda, a town near the Algerian border.
multilingualism
In North Africa, Moroccans are fluent in a wide range of languages. They are fluent in Arabic and Amazigh, their two official languages. According to the country’s census data, most Moroccans are fluent in more than one language. The presence of several dialects, as evidenced by the existence of Classical Arabic, Standard Arabic, and Moroccan Arabic, in addition to the various Amazigh dialects, has contributed to the linguistic complexity of the country. Other foreign languages spoken in the country include French, a prestigious language. At the same time, English is an international language used by educated young people in Morocco.