The status of mother tongues and linguistic policy in Algeria

Abstract EN

The sociolinguistic landscape in Algeria has often been categorized by its richness and complexity where all local, official, and even foreign languages coexist.

considering this array and diversity, Algeria has opted for arabization as a language policy in its education.

the final aim is to protect and maintain its national identity.

arabization has side-lined mother tongues and is considered daily communication with a devalued and denigrated status.

the present study sheds light on the status of languages in use in Algeria and brings into focus the influence of arabization on the status of the spoken mother tongues.

furthermore, it explores Algerian speakers attitudes toward their mother tongues.

the results have shown that most Algerian speakers seem to disapprove of introducing mother tongues in education as they might diminish the status of Arabic.