The Policy of French Authorities in Language and Education in Morocco

The policy of the French colonial authorities in Morocco on the linguistic level was marked by the establishment of French-Amazigh schools, particularly in the Middle Atlas region. The challenges faced by the French in occupying Amazigh tribes, coupled with their fierce resistance, necessitated a rapid establishment of schools. These institutions aimed to win over the Amazigh population and show interest in their language. One of the main objectives of these schools was to provide Amazigh children with practical education in agriculture, arithmetic, health, the French language, and reading and writing Amazigh in the Latin script. Despite this comprehensive educational plan, the primary focus remained on teaching French, which was central to the colonial administration’s strategy.

Morocco Chronicles

The policy of the French colonial authorities in Morocco on the linguistic level was marked by the establishment of French-Amazigh schools, particularly in the Middle Atlas region. The challenges faced by the French in occupying Amazigh tribes, coupled with the fierce resistance these tribes exhibited, necessitated a rapid establishment of schools. These institutions aimed to win over the Amazigh population and show interest in their language. One of the main objectives of these schools was to provide Amazigh children with practical education in agriculture, basic principles of arithmetic, health, the French language, and reading and writing Amazigh in the Latin script. Despite this comprehensive educational plan, the primary focus was placed on teaching the French language, which held significant importance in the colonial administration's strategy.

The Policy of French Authorities

The success of these initiatives at the primary school level led the French authorities to elevate their efforts by establishing the "Azrou Amazigh High School" in 1930. This institution's foundation reflected the French protectorate's desire to infiltrate French influence into the Amazigh mountains, which had fiercely resisted the French. The aim was to attract the sons of notables in newly subjugated areas and contribute to the future formation of local leaders. French documents highlight the difficulties students faced in learning Arabic, as their mother tongue and daily communication language was Amazigh, and most had not attended Quranic schools.

Challenges and Failures of French Educational Policies

Despite the establishment of the Azrou Berber High School, the French colonial authorities' efforts largely failed. The schools directed Amazigh students towards French education and did not incorporate the Amazigh language in teaching. As a result, the French authorities did not achieve their goals of cultural integration and influence. The colonial administration did not rely on an objective analysis and made numerous errors, primarily due to a lack of deep understanding of the historical dynamics of Moroccan society. Additionally, the French invasion and the accompanying violence in Amazigh regions were not erased from the collective memory of the Amazigh people. Nevertheless, the French managed to form an Amazigh elite, both civilian and military, which had an influence in various fields, including the linguistic domain. These schools, despite their shortcomings, also taught Amazigh language and culture. However, the main focus remained on the French language and curriculum. The Amazigh language, in its various branches, is the oldest language present in Morocco. It held significant functional importance during different periods of the country's history. For instance, the Almohads required Friday preachers to be proficient in Amazigh to convey the doctrine of their spiritual leader, Mahdi Ibn Tumart, to the minds of Moroccans. Despite the Arabization of significant parts of the country, Amazigh remains a living language, spoken by a large number of Moroccans in their daily communication.

Distribution and Prevalence of Amazigh Language

Amazigh was widespread across most regions of the country, according to its three linguistic varieties: Tarifit, Tamazight, and Tashelhit. Tarifit: This variety dominated the north of Morocco in the Rif region, from Nador and Al Hoceima to Taza. Significant tribes speaking this variety include Ibaqouyen, Ait Waryaghar, Temsaman, Ait Touzin, and Ait Buznasn. It also prevailed in cities like Nador, Al Hoceima, Melilla, and Berkane.Tamazight: This variety was prevalent in the central region, covering most areas of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas and some semi-desert areas. The main tribes speaking this variety include Ait Wari, Ait Sfairu, Zemmour, Gherwan, Ait Mguild, Zayan, Ait Shkman, and Ait Atta. This variety also dominated several urban areas such as Azrou, Sefrou, El Hajeb, Khenifra, Khémisset, Boulemane, Errachidia, and Koulima. Tashelhit this variety was predominant in southeastern Morocco, particularly in the Western High Atlas, the Anti-Atlas, and the Souss plain. Major tribes speaking this variety include Iḥḥāḥan, Idaou Tanane, Chtouka Ait Baha, Ait Baamran, Benisnough, Amtouka, and in the south, Ait Ouirke and Indouzal. It was also prevalent in cities like Agadir, Tiznit, Taroudant, Inezgane, Ouarzazate, and Essaouira.

The Linguistic Landscape During the French Protectorate

Despite the prominence the colonial authorities tried to give to the French language and the use of classical Arabic, especially in authorship, Amazigh was a language spoken by large segments of Moroccan society during the protectorate period. Many French officers learned Amazigh to facilitate communication with its speakers, like Captain Georges Spillmann, known as "Captain Chleuh" for his proficiency in the Amazigh language. Arabic entered Morocco with the advent of Islam and gradually spread, weakening the position of existing languages like Greek, Latin, Phoenician, and Hebrew. It became the primary language of authorship and the language of teaching and imparting sciences. Despite the shifts in language dominance, Amazigh maintained a distinguished position in communication among the population. If classical Arabic operated on multiple levels in official, literary, religious, and scientific use, Moroccan Darija (colloquial Arabic) was not unified to the extent that it could impose linguistic dominance. This diversity resulted from the varied origins and dialects of tribes migrating to Morocco and the presence of different influences shaping their impact. For example, the Andalusian influence in northern Morocco, the Banu Abd al-Wad influence in the east, Amazigh tribes in the center, and the influence of the Sahara and Sub-Saharan Africa in the south.

Iberian and Andalusian Influence

Alongside the Amazigh and Arabic presence, Iberian and Andalusian influences significantly impacted the linguistic landscape of Morocco. The Spanish state expelled the Moriscos from the Iberian Peninsula, starting in 1609 under Philip III. Ibn Khaldun noted that both Morocco and Tunisia strongly attracted Andalusians, who shared their crafts and integrated into local society. The expelled Andalusians settled across the Maghreb, especially in northern Moroccan cities like Tetouan, Fez, Salé, and Rabat, bringing with them their cultural heritage and continuing to use Spanish for communication. The intricate language policies of the French colonial authorities in Morocco, particularly their efforts to integrate French education among Amazigh populations, highlight a complex interplay of cultural and linguistic influences. Despite the failure of some initiatives, the legacy of these efforts is evident in the formation of an Amazigh elite and the sustained importance of the Amazigh language. The historical context of language integration, from the introduction of Arabic to the impact of Iberian and Andalusian migrations, underscores the rich and diverse linguistic heritage of Morocco. The continued use and preservation of Amazigh, alongside Arabic and other languages, reflect the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Moroccan society.

Influence on Modern Moroccan Linguistic Landscape

The historical interplay between different languages has left a lasting impact on the linguistic landscape of modern Morocco. The attempts by French authorities to integrate French education among the Amazigh populations created an educated elite that had an influence on post-independence Morocco. This educated elite played significant roles in various sectors, influencing the linguistic policies and educational systems in contemporary Morocco. The blend of Arabic, Amazigh, French, and the influences of other languages like Spanish has created a unique linguistic tapestry in Morocco. This multilingualism is reflected in the country’s official recognition of both Arabic and Amazigh as national languages, a testament to the lasting legacy of these historical interactions. The presence of French remains strong, especially in business, academia, and diplomacy, continuing to shape the country’s linguistic landscape. The colonial period's policies, although flawed, inadvertently contributed to preserving the Amazigh language. The focus on education and the creation of a bilingual elite ensured that Amazigh language and culture were not entirely overshadowed by French or Arabic. Instead, these policies helped in the codification and modernization of the Amazigh script, ensuring its survival and continued relevance in modern Morocco.

Conclusion

The complex language policies of the French colonial authorities in Morocco, particularly their efforts to integrate French education among the Amazigh populations, highlight a multifaceted interplay of cultural and linguistic influences. Despite the failure of some initiatives, these efforts left a lasting legacy evident in the formation of an Amazigh elite and the sustained importance of the Amazigh language. The historical context of language integration, from the introduction of Arabic to the impact of Iberian and Andalusian migrations, underscores the rich and diverse linguistic heritage of Morocco. The continued use and preservation of Amazigh, alongside Arabic and other languages, reflect the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Moroccan society, offering valuable insights into the nation’s cultural and linguistic evolution.