Before discussing the historical events and reasons that led to the existence of foreign languages in Morocco – Mainly French and English – Chapter 1 will introduce briefly the linguistic environment in Morocco. A complex environment where many local/foreign, formal/informal varieties coexist. The local varieties in this linguistic situation are: Moroccan Arabic, Amazigh varieties and some minority varieties such as Saharian dialect and Judeo-Arabic. Classical Arabic or Standard Arabic is somehow local as it represents the Islamic identity of Moroccans, but it is not used in the Moroccan everyday life.
The foreign languages – French, English and Spanish – are divided into two categories, colonial and global foreign languages. French and Spanish invasion of the Moroccan linguistic situation was the result of the Colonial policy, enforced in the 20th century. English also introduced to Moroccans in that period, when Moroccans got into contact with British and Americans. But the serious spread of English was a result of Globalization.
Then Chapter 2 will discuss the French dominance facing the English spread in Morocco, and education will be an example of that, whether in primary school, junior and secondary high school or Higher Education. Thus, the attitudes of students towards English and French are important to highlight this issue of dominance and spread. After conducting a study in Sultan Moulay Sliman University, precisely the English department, I have collected a data which enables me to discuss this relationship between French and English in the Moroccan context.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Introduction of the study:
- Research objectives:
- Research questions:
- Significance of the study
- Theoretical part
- Chapter 1: The Linguistic Environment In Morocco.
- Local varieties:
- Classical/Standard Arabic:
- Foreign languages:
- Chapter 2: A French dominance versus an English spread in Morocco: Education as an example.
- The French dominance:
- The English Spread:
- Chapter 3: Research methodology
- The universe of the study:
- Sampling:
- The instrument:
- Data collection procedure:
- Data analysis procedure:
- Practical part
- Chapter 4: Findings and discussions
- The decision to study English:
- The level of respondents' French level compared with their English level:
- Learning English versus learning French:
- Accent's difficulty:
- Early English language teaching:
- The listening skill:
- Moroccans' interest in English in relation to the French dominance:
- The multilingual use of foreign languages:
- Prestige:
- Code switching:
- Art production:
- TV-shows:
- English subtitles in Moroccan movies:
- Subtitles in English movies:
- Subtitles in French Movies:
- English and the Moroccan media:
- The status of English in the world versus the status of French in Morocco:
- The value of the dominant language:
- Could English become the first foreign language of Morocco?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research project investigates the linguistic landscape of Morocco, focusing on the interplay between French and English within the educational system. The study aims to understand the factors influencing the choice of English as a foreign language, particularly in the context of French's long-standing dominance.- The linguistic landscape of Morocco and the roles of Arabic, French, and English.
- The influence of French dominance on English language learning and adoption.
- Factors affecting Moroccan students' decisions regarding English language study.
- The role of media and cultural factors in shaping attitudes towards English and French.
- The potential for English to supplant French as the primary foreign language in Morocco.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: The Linguistic Environment In Morocco.: This chapter establishes the linguistic context of Morocco, exploring the roles of various languages within the country. It delves into the presence of local varieties of Arabic, the significance of Classical/Standard Arabic, and the impact of foreign languages, primarily French and English, on the linguistic landscape. The chapter sets the stage for the main research by highlighting the complex multilingual environment in which the study takes place, emphasizing the historical and ongoing influences of both French and English. The interplay between these languages forms the basis for the subsequent investigation into language choice and dominance. Chapter 2: A French dominance versus an English spread in Morocco: Education as an example.: This chapter directly addresses the central conflict of the research: the historical dominance of French versus the increasing spread of English within Morocco's education system. It analyzes the historical reasons behind French's long-standing prominence as a language of administration, education, and high social status. In contrast, it explores the factors driving the growing interest in English, including globalization, economic opportunities, and access to international culture and information. The chapter contrasts these two linguistic forces, laying the groundwork for understanding the choices made by Moroccan students in relation to foreign language learning. Chapter 4: Findings and discussions: This chapter presents the findings of the research based on data gathered from surveys and observations. It examines various aspects of English language learning in Morocco, including students' motivations, perceptions of French and English proficiency, the role of accents, the impact of early exposure to English, and the importance of listening comprehension skills. A significant portion focuses on the influence of the media and cultural factors on language attitudes, analyzing the use of subtitles in movies and the role of television shows in exposure to both English and French. The chapter draws connections between language use, social prestige, and code-switching practices within Moroccan society. Ultimately, it explores the possibility of English emerging as the primary foreign language, considering factors like global status and perceived value.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Morocco, multilingualism, French, English, language learning, education, linguistic landscape, language dominance, code-switching, media, globalization, cultural influence, language attitudes.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this research?
This research project investigates the linguistic landscape of Morocco, focusing on the interplay between French and English within the educational system. It aims to understand the factors influencing the choice of English as a foreign language, particularly in the context of French's long-standing dominance.
What languages are discussed in the study?
The study primarily focuses on Arabic (local varieties and Classical/Standard Arabic), French, and English. It examines the roles these languages play in Moroccan society and the interactions between them.
What are the key research objectives?
The research aims to understand: the linguistic landscape of Morocco; the influence of French dominance on English language learning and adoption; factors affecting Moroccan students' decisions regarding English language study; the role of media and cultural factors in shaping attitudes towards English and French; and the potential for English to supplant French as the primary foreign language in Morocco.
What methodology is used in the research?
The research methodology includes defining the study's universe, sampling, choosing the appropriate instrument for data collection, outlining data collection and analysis procedures.
What are the key themes explored in the study?
Key themes include the linguistic landscape of Morocco, French dominance versus English spread, factors influencing language choice among Moroccan students, the role of media and cultural influences on language attitudes, and the potential shift in primary foreign language preference from French to English.
What aspects of language learning are investigated?
The study investigates students' motivations for learning English, comparisons between their French and English proficiency, the impact of accents, the effects of early English language teaching, the importance of listening comprehension, and the influence of media exposure on language attitudes.
How does the study address the media's role in shaping language attitudes?
The study analyzes the use of subtitles in movies (Moroccan, English, and French films) and the role of television shows in shaping exposure to and attitudes towards both English and French.
What is the significance of code-switching in this research?
The research explores code-switching practices within Moroccan society and how they relate to language use, social prestige, and the overall linguistic landscape.
What is the potential future of English in Morocco, according to this research?
The research explores the possibility of English becoming the primary foreign language in Morocco, considering its global status and perceived value in comparison to French.
What are the chapters of this research?
The research is divided into an introduction, a theoretical part (including chapters on the linguistic environment in Morocco and the French dominance versus English spread in education), a chapter on research methodology, and a practical part (including a chapter on findings and discussions).
Where can I find a detailed overview of the findings?
Chapter 4: Findings and discussions, provides a detailed presentation of the research findings, covering various aspects of English language learning in Morocco. This includes students' motivations, perceptions of language proficiency, media influence and more.
- Quote paper
- Anass Belhassan (Author), 2017, Moroccan society. Between a French dominance and an English spread education as a sample, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/374655
