Writing and rewriting Amazigh/Berber identity: Orthographies and language ideologies

Abstract

This study discusses how scripts, or orthographies, are selected based on social and ideological factors rather than linguistic and scientific grounds. A Moroccan government committee was appointed in 2003 to determine whether Latin, Arabic or Tifinagh scripts should codify Amazigh/Berber. Tifinagh was officially selected, stirring debates between different groups with opposing views and complex affiliations. Informed by theories of language ideologies, this article examines the ideological motivations for the selection of Amazigh script, and investigates the social implications of Amazigh codification. This study shows that despite the official decision to support Tifinagh, the script issue is far from settled, given enduring questions of identity, political ideology and linguistic differentiation. The outcome of this study has implications for other communities facing similar decisions and competing script choices.

Keywords:

• Amazigh/Berber identity
• Language ideologies
• Morocco
• North Africa
• Orthographies
• Script reform

Notes

¹ The full speech of the king can be found at http://www.maroc.ma/NR/exeres/B77F4C81-096E-48EF-BFD6-BF50212CB101.htm. All translations from Arabic, French and Amazigh are my own unless otherwise cited.

² Names and identifying details of the participants have been changed to protect their identities.

³ Personal interviews. Also see Elhahi (2008, p. 167).

⁴ Personal interviews with activists.

⁵ Aspiring to a secular state was a topic discussed at length by Amazigh activists in one of the meetings that I attended. See also Ben-Layashi (2007) for more discussion on secularism within the Amazigh movement.