Morocco News at Maroc Info

06 / 10 / 2008
Taille
  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Languages
Document Index

Languages
Moroccan Arabic is a dialect of Maghreb Arabic. The language is fairly different from the Arabic traditionally spoken in the Middle East and is also slightly influenced by French or Spanish, depending on where in the country you are. This dialect is also related to Spanish, as Spanish was heavily influenced by Arabic from Morocco before the expulsion of 1492.
Berber, or the Amazigh Language, is spoken by Morocco's Berber population in the mountainous regions of the north, where the dialect is Tarifit, center, where the dialect is Tamazight, and south of the country, where the dialect is Tachelheet.
Despite having freed itself from colonial rule, French is still widely understood in Morocco, and it is the most useful non-Arabic language to know.
Although you will find people who speak English and Spanish in tourist centres, many of these will be touts and faux guides, who may become a burden. Many shop owners and hotel managers in urban centers also speak English.