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.
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?
Objectives and Scope
This research aims to analyze the linguistic landscape of Morocco, specifically investigating the tension between the long-standing dominance of the French language and the emerging spread of English, particularly within the educational system and among students.
- Historical overview of language contact in Morocco.
- Comparative analysis of French and English presence in education.
- Student attitudes toward English as a global language.
- The impact of English proficiency on the status of French.
- Evaluation of potential future language shifts in Morocco.
Excerpt from the Book
The Linguistic Environment In Morocco:
The Moroccan history had witnessed the domination of numerous populations: starting from the Phoenicians, Romains, Vandals, Arabians, Portuguese, Spanish and French. This openness on Western and Eastern civilizations had resulted in a language contact, which leads in his turn to the coexistence of different varieties.
The Moroccan linguistic situation is characterized by its complexity and its multilingual nature. You might encounter for example a Moroccan Arab bilingual who can speak Moroccan Arabic and Tamazight/French/English/Spanish, or a Moroccan Amazighophone who is able to speak Tamazight and Moroccan Arabic/French/English/Spanish. There are also multilingual Moroccans who are able to speak more than two varieties. I will try to cover the main varieties that exist in Morocco: local varieties, Classical/Standard Arabic and Foreign languages.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a background on the complexity of the Moroccan linguistic situation and outlines the core conflict between established French dominance and the increasing spread of English.
Chapter 1: Analyzes the multilingual linguistic environment of Morocco, identifying the roles of local varieties, Classical/Standard Arabic, and foreign languages.
Chapter 2: Examines the historical and institutional dominance of French in the Moroccan education system and contrasts it with the growing influence of English as a language of globalization.
Chapter 3: Details the research methodology, including the setting (Sultan Moulay Slimane University), participant sampling, and the questionnaire instrument used for data collection.
Chapter 4: Presents and discusses the research findings regarding student attitudes, preferences, and perceptions concerning the relative status of French and English in media, education, and social interaction.
Keywords
Morocco, linguistic situation, French dominance, English spread, globalization, language contact, education, sociolinguistics, student attitudes, bilingualism, foreign languages, language prestige, media, multilingualism, language policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The research explores the linguistic dynamics in Morocco, focusing on the historical and modern competition between French, the established dominant language, and English, which is spreading rapidly due to globalization.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the Moroccan linguistic environment, the historical context of foreign languages, the role of education in language maintenance, and youth attitudes toward English and French.
What is the main objective of the thesis?
The primary goal is to understand the nature of French and English presence in Morocco and to determine whether the rising interest in English among students poses a significant threat to French dominance.
Which methodology was employed for this research?
The researcher conducted a quantitative study using a questionnaire distributed to linguistics students at Sultan Moulay Slimane University, complemented by a statistical comparison of university enrollment data.
What specific topics are explored in the main body?
The main body examines language contact, the institutional status of French in schools, the spread of English in universities, and empirical data on student preferences regarding media, subtitles, and language prestige.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The most relevant keywords include Morocco, French dominance, English spread, globalization, education, language contact, and sociolinguistics.
How does the author define the "Linguistic Environment" in Morocco?
The author describes it as a complex, multilingual situation where local varieties, Classical Arabic, and foreign languages coexist as a result of historical dominance by various populations.
What does the empirical data reveal about student preferences?
The findings indicate a high student interest in English, with many viewing it as easier to learn and more prestigious, although a significant number of students still interact with both languages in different contexts.
- 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
