The paper "The Quest for Algerian Linguistic Independence" by Abdelhamid Bessaid delves into the longstanding linguistic conflicts within Algeria, focusing on the interplay between Berber (Tamazight), Arabic, and French languages. It outlines the historical progression from the dominance of Berber languages, through the Arab conquest that introduced Arabic, to the French colonization which established French as the primary language of administration, education, and public life. Following Algeria’s independence in 1962, the government implemented an Arabization policy aimed at elevating Arabic to the status of national and official language while reducing the influence of French. This policy has resulted in significant sociolinguistic challenges, including a generational divide where younger Algerians educated under Arabization find it difficult to communicate with older generations who were educated in French. Additionally, the paper highlights the recognition of Tamazight as a national language and the ongoing tensions between the use of Arabic and French in various sectors of society.
Bessaid employs a historical analysis to demonstrate how colonial legacies and language policies have created a multilingual society fraught with tensions and inconsistencies between the national constitution and everyday language practices. The study reveals that despite official declarations favoring Arabic, French continues to hold a privileged position in education, business, and government, leading to a complex linguistic landscape where code-switching and language mixing are common. The paper also discusses the reluctance among some Algerians to fully embrace Arabization, viewing French as a valuable tool for scientific and technological advancement. Ultimately, Bessaid questions when Algeria will resolve these inherited linguistic divisions and achieve true linguistic independence, advocating for the acceptance and encouragement of multilingualism as a means to foster national unity and cultural diversity.