The Linguistic Friction in Algeria

The linguistic situation in Algeria is varied and complex in the sense that several varieties are used today namely Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Arabic, Educated Spoken Arabic, Berder and its varieties, i.e. Chawi, Mzabi and Tergui, French, some Spanish, and lately English, particularly in the field of commerce, science and technology. Accordingly, Algeria is characterised by the phenomenon of multilingualism which affects the sociocultural life of the Algerianpeople, and gives rise to sociolinguistic needs that must be taken into account in education and language planning. This paper addresses the issue of conflict and rivalry concerning the functions and statuses of the languages used in Algeria, namely Classical/ Modern Standard Arabic, Algerian Arabic, Berber, and French. Such friction might have negative consequences on the fabric of the Algerian society in the future. This article deals with the historical and sociocultural background. It will shed light on the sociolinguistic context in which Arabization has been implemented, as well as on the educational system in Algeria, and the attempts made to revitalize Modern Standard Arabic as a means of instruction. Focus will be on some obstacles which hamper a successful Arabization, chiefly the language contact and the language conflict in a sociolinguistic context where languages (and dialects) compete to attain higher status. The data is drawn from a wide variety of sources, including field work, interviews and related research literature. In spite of the linguistic diversity, the Algerian decisionmakers adopted in 1963 Classical / Modern Standard Arabic as the National and official language of Algeria (Art.3, constitution), and avoidedthe whole question of the social valuation of such a choice which, as we shall see later, has sociolinguistic implications on the different strata of the Algerian people. In fact, this choice is subjective rather than linguistic. The Algerian society is homogenised around one language “ Arabic”. The latter became the ralling point of all the forces of the nation, but of which “Arabic” are we speaking? Is it the “ superimposed” variety which we referred to earlier as Classical/Modern Standard Arabic? (hereafter CA/MSA) Or is it the native variety of Arabic spoken by the majority of the Algerian people, commonly known as Algerian Arabic? (hereafter AA). It is interesting to notice that because of the excessive purism that prevailed at that time, there is no doubt about the fact that the only variety of Arabic that could unite the nation’s efforts in its fight for sweeping the vestiges of colonialism was CA/ MSA, the language of “Arab-patriotism” and “PanArab Unity”. Political circles labelled CA/MSA the standard language and labelled AA a dialect, but socio-political imperatives and social needs do not always merge. A new form of Arabic is emerging in Algeria, and the Arab world in general as a suitable means of communication. This medium is labelled differently as “Middle Arabic”,/allugha al wuTa / or ESA. Before considering whether or not CA has undergone a partial shift from classicism to Eduated Spoken Arabic( hereafter ESA). Let us first define CA, MSA,and AA.