Languages of Tunisia
Encyclopedia
Tunisia
is, in terms of language, the most homogeneous of the Maghreb
states. This is because almost the entire population speaks Tunisian Arabic
(also called Darija
) natively. Most are also literate in Literary Arabic, which is the country's official language, and French
. The Tunisian Darija is considered a variety of Arabic
- or more accurately a set of dialects - therefore, there is no official standardisation body for Tunisian Arabic and it is spoken mainly in the context of a daily dialogue within the family. According to linguistic studies, it is a close relative to Maltese
. However, Maltese is not considered a variety of Arabic for sociolinguistic reasons. Berber languages
are spoken by a minority, especially in the south.
During the French protectorate in Tunisia, French
was imposed through public institutions, notably the education system, which became a strong vehicle for dissemination of the language. From independence, the country gradually became Arabised even though the public administration, justice and education remained bilingual meanwhile knowledge of French and other European languages (as English
and Italian
) is enhanced by Tunisia's proximity to Europe and notably by media and tourism
.
The 1990s marked a turning point for the Arabisation process. Science classes up to the end of high school were Arabised in order to facilitate access to higher education and promote the Arabic language in society. Since October 1999, private establishments are forced to give Arabic characters
twice the size compared to Latin characters
, this rule is not always followed however. At the same time, the public administration is required to communicate in Arabic only. Nevertheless, only the departments of Defense and Justice and the Parliament
are fully Arabised. In this context, the use of French seems to decline despite the increased number of graduates of the educational system, which leads to the fact that a good knowledge much of French remains an important social marker. This is because French is widely practised in the business community, the spheres of natural sciences and medicine and intellectual domains, one can even consider that the language has become gentrified.
According to recent estimates provided by the Tunisian government to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the number French speakers is estimated at 6.36 million people, or 63.6% of the population. It is still (in March 2011) uncertain which the effects of the Jasmine revolution will be on the country's future language policy.
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
is, in terms of language, the most homogeneous of the Maghreb
Maghreb
The Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
states. This is because almost the entire population speaks Tunisian Arabic
Tunisian Arabic
Tunisian Arabic is a Maghrebi dialect of the Arabic language, spoken by some 11 million people. It is usually known by its own speakers as Derja, which means dialect, to distinguish it from Standard Arabic, or as Tunsi, which means Tunisian...
(also called Darija
Darija
Darija is the group of Arabic dialects spoken by Maghrebi Arabic speakers. It is only used for oral communication, with Modern Standard Arabic used for written communication...
) natively. Most are also literate in Literary Arabic, which is the country's official language, and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. The Tunisian Darija is considered a variety of Arabic
Varieties of Arabic
The Arabic language is a Semitic language characterized by a wide number of linguistic varieties within its five regional forms. The largest divisions occur between the spoken languages of different regions. The Arabic of North Africa, for example, is often incomprehensible to an Arabic speaker...
- or more accurately a set of dialects - therefore, there is no official standardisation body for Tunisian Arabic and it is spoken mainly in the context of a daily dialogue within the family. According to linguistic studies, it is a close relative to Maltese
Maltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
. However, Maltese is not considered a variety of Arabic for sociolinguistic reasons. Berber languages
Berber languages
The Berber languages are a family of languages indigenous to North Africa, spoken from Siwa Oasis in Egypt to Morocco , and south to the countries of the Sahara Desert...
are spoken by a minority, especially in the south.
During the French protectorate in Tunisia, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
was imposed through public institutions, notably the education system, which became a strong vehicle for dissemination of the language. From independence, the country gradually became Arabised even though the public administration, justice and education remained bilingual meanwhile knowledge of French and other European languages (as English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
) is enhanced by Tunisia's proximity to Europe and notably by media and tourism
Tourism in Tunisia
Among Tunisia's tourist attractions are its cosmopolitan capital city of Tunis, the ancient ruins of Carthage, the Muslim and Jewish quarters of Jerba, and coastal resorts outside of Monastir...
.
The 1990s marked a turning point for the Arabisation process. Science classes up to the end of high school were Arabised in order to facilitate access to higher education and promote the Arabic language in society. Since October 1999, private establishments are forced to give Arabic characters
Arabic alphabet
The Arabic alphabet or Arabic abjad is the Arabic script as it is codified for writing the Arabic language. It is written from right to left, in a cursive style, and includes 28 letters. Because letters usually stand for consonants, it is classified as an abjad.-Consonants:The Arabic alphabet has...
twice the size compared to Latin characters
Latin alphabet
The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
, this rule is not always followed however. At the same time, the public administration is required to communicate in Arabic only. Nevertheless, only the departments of Defense and Justice and the Parliament
Parliament of Tunisia
The Parliament of Tunisia is made up of two houses:*The upper chamber, the Chamber of Councillors*The lower chamber, the Chamber of Deputies...
are fully Arabised. In this context, the use of French seems to decline despite the increased number of graduates of the educational system, which leads to the fact that a good knowledge much of French remains an important social marker. This is because French is widely practised in the business community, the spheres of natural sciences and medicine and intellectual domains, one can even consider that the language has become gentrified.
According to recent estimates provided by the Tunisian government to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the number French speakers is estimated at 6.36 million people, or 63.6% of the population. It is still (in March 2011) uncertain which the effects of the Jasmine revolution will be on the country's future language policy.