Amazigh Language Use on Social Media: An Exploratory Study
Main Article Content
Keywords
Amazigh, language use, social media, Moroccan Amazighs, descriptive design
Abstract
This paper aimed to investigate Moroccan Amazighs’ use of the Amazigh language on social media and the various aspects of Amazigh’s presence on these platforms. The study was carried out following a descriptive research design whereby data were collected by way of a large-scale online survey. A sample of one-thousand informants was randomly selected from all over Morocco based on several social variables, including sex, age, education, and region of belonging. Data analysis revealed that the Tifinagh script is less used compared to Latin and Arabic in which the language is highly present on social media platforms. It was also found that Amazigh is greatly used in chatting and that Moroccans highly interact with Amazigh-related content on Amazigh public pages and groups on social networking websites. The survey respondents accordingly showed remarkable satisfaction with social media content published in Amazigh. The analysis also demonstrated that Amazigh social media users are particularly interested in topics pertinent to the fields of history, culture, and art. It was yet discovered that Moroccans view the use of Amazigh on social networking sites as an effective alternative for promoting and improving the language. The study calls for upholding and ameliorating online Amazigh language use, as well as extending its scope by adopting digitization policies centering on the prominence of Tifinagh.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Abbassi, A. (1977). A sociolinguistic analysis of multilingualism in Morocco. (A Non-published PhD thesis, University of Texas, Austin).
Ait Laaguid, B. (2022). Amazigh in Morocco through the lens of the US State Department’s reports between 1999 and 2020: A critical discourse analysis. JURNAL ARBITRER, 9(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.25077/ar.9.1.1-16.2022
Al Arif, T. Z. (2019). The use of social media for English language learning: An exploratory study of EFL university students. Metathesis: Journal of English Language, Literature, and Teaching, 3(2), 224–233.
Almasude, A. (1999). The new mass media and the shaping of Amazigh identity. In J. Reyhner, G. Cantoni, R. N. St. Clair & E. P. Yazzie (Eds.), Revitalizing Indigenous Languages (pp. 117-28). Northern Arizona University. http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/RIL_Contents.html
Belgharbi, S. (2014). Al-Iʕla:m l-iliktro:ni l-amaziɣi: Madxal ila dira:sa nadariya wa taħliliya [The Amazigh electronic media: An introduction to a theoretical and analytical study]. Idoukal Publications.
Belhiah, H., Majdoubi, M., & Safwate, M. (2020). Language revitalization through the media: A case study of Amazigh in Morocco. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2020(266), 121-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2020-2114
Boukous, A. (2012). Revitalizing the Amazigh language: Stakes, challenges, and strategies. Institut Royal de la Culture Amazighe.
Debski, R. (2012). The Internet in support of community languages: Web sites created by Poles living abroad. Information Technology, Education and Society, 13(1), 5-20. https://doi.org/10.7459/ites/13.1.02
El Kirat, Y. & Boussagui, Y. (2018). Amazigh in Morocco. In Heritage language policies around the world (pp.111-127). Routledge. https://doi:10.4324/9781315639444-8
El Kirat, Y., Hajjam, M., & Blila, S. (2010). Student’s attitudes towards the language in use in Morocco: The case of the faculty of letters-Rabat. In El Kirat, Y (Ed.), Globalization and mother tongues in Africa (p. 333-349).
El Kirat, Y. (2009). Issues in the representation of Amazigh language and identity in North Africa. Langues et Literatures, 19, 179-196.
Ennaji, M. (2014). Recognizing the Berber language in Morocco: A step for democratization. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 15(2), 93–99. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43773631
Ennaji, M. (2005). Multilingualism, cultural identity, and education in Morocco. Springer Science & Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/b104063
Errihani, M. (2008). Language attitudes and language use in Morocco: Effects of attitudes on ‘Berber language policy’. The Journal of North African Studies, 13(4), 411-428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629380701800492
Errihani, M. (2006). Language policy in Morocco: Problems and prospects of teaching Tamazight. Journal of North African Studies, 11(2), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629380600704803
Idhssaine, A. (2020). Moroccans’ attitudes towards Amazigh language teaching: Patterns and perspectives. Applied Linguistics Research Journal, 4(3), 52–64. https://doi:10.14744/alrj.2020.62634
Idhssaine, A., & El Kirat, Y. (2019). Amazigh language use, perceptions and revitalisation in Morocco: The case of Rabat-Sale region. The Journal of North African Studies, 26(3), 465-479. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629387.2019.1690996
Jamai, A. (2008). Language use and maintenance among the Moroccan minority in Britain. (Published Ph.D. Thesis, Salford University, European Studies Research Institute, the School of Languages). OpenGrey Repository. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/2030
Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68.
Lafkioui, M. (2013). Multilingualism, multimodality and identity construction on French- Based Amazigh (Berber) websites. Revue française de linguistique appliquée, (2), 135-151.https://doi:10.3917/rfla.182.0135
Lafkioui, M. B. (2008). Identity construction through bilingual Amazigh-Dutch “digital” discourse. In M. B. Lafkioui, & V. Brugnatelli (Eds), Berber in contact: Linguistic and sociolinguistic perspectives (pp. 217-231). Rüdiger Köppe Verlag. http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-444501
Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., & Zickuhr, K. (2010). Social Media & Mobile Internet Use among Teens and Young Adults. Millennials. Pew internet & American life project.https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED525056
Marley, D. (2004). Language attitudes in Morocco following recent changes in language policy. Language Policy, 3(1), 25-46. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:LPOL.0000017724.16833.66
McCombes, S. (2022, October 10). Descriptive Research | Definition, Types, Methods & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/descriptive-research/
Monica, & Anamaria, P. (2014). The Impact of Social Media on Vocabulary Learning Case Study-Facebook. Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 23(2).
Olojede, A. M., Ebim, M. A., & Abioye, A. T. (2018). Language Use on Social Media: A Study of Facebook Interactions by Yaba College of Technology Undergraduates. International Journal of Cultural Studies and Technology, 2(3).
Ouakrime, M. (2001). Promoting the maintenance of endangered languages through the Internet: The case of Tamazight. In C. Moseley, N. Ostler, & H. Ouzzate (Eds.), Endangered languages and the media: Proceedings of the fifth FEL conference (pp. 61–67). Foundation for Endangered Languages. https://eric.ed.gov/
Reino, T. (2007). Language Attitudes: Amazigh in Morocco. Swarthmore College, 1-57. http://hdl.handle.net/10066/10202
Sadiqi, F. (2011). The teaching of Amazigh (Berber) in Morocco. In J. Fishman, & Ofelia Garcia (Eds), Handbook of language and ethnic identity:The success-failure continuum in language and ethnic identity efforts (pp. 33-44). Oxford University Press.
Sadiqi, F. (1991). The spread of English in Morocco. In M. Ennaji (Ed.), International Journal of the Sociology of Language 87, 99-114.
Sperlich, W. B. (2005). Will cyberforums save endangered languages? A Niuean case study. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 172, 51–77. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl.2005.2005.172.51
Soulaimani, D. (2015). Writing and rewriting Amazigh/Berber identity: Orthographies and language ideologies. Writing Systems Research, 8(1), 1-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17586801.2015.1023176
Tess, P. A. (2013). The role of social media in higher education classes (real and virtual)–A literature review. Computers in human behavior, 29(5), A60-A68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.12.032
Warschauer, M. (2002). Languages.com: The internet and linguistic pluralism. In I. Snyder (Ed.), Silicon literacies: Communication, innovation and education in the electronic age (pp. 62-74). Routledge.
Youssi, A. (1995). The Moroccan triglossia: Facts and implications. International Journal of the Sociology of Language 112, 29-43.
Ait Laaguid, B. (2022). Amazigh in Morocco through the lens of the US State Department’s reports between 1999 and 2020: A critical discourse analysis. JURNAL ARBITRER, 9(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.25077/ar.9.1.1-16.2022
Al Arif, T. Z. (2019). The use of social media for English language learning: An exploratory study of EFL university students. Metathesis: Journal of English Language, Literature, and Teaching, 3(2), 224–233.
Almasude, A. (1999). The new mass media and the shaping of Amazigh identity. In J. Reyhner, G. Cantoni, R. N. St. Clair & E. P. Yazzie (Eds.), Revitalizing Indigenous Languages (pp. 117-28). Northern Arizona University. http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/RIL_Contents.html
Belgharbi, S. (2014). Al-Iʕla:m l-iliktro:ni l-amaziɣi: Madxal ila dira:sa nadariya wa taħliliya [The Amazigh electronic media: An introduction to a theoretical and analytical study]. Idoukal Publications.
Belhiah, H., Majdoubi, M., & Safwate, M. (2020). Language revitalization through the media: A case study of Amazigh in Morocco. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2020(266), 121-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2020-2114
Boukous, A. (2012). Revitalizing the Amazigh language: Stakes, challenges, and strategies. Institut Royal de la Culture Amazighe.
Debski, R. (2012). The Internet in support of community languages: Web sites created by Poles living abroad. Information Technology, Education and Society, 13(1), 5-20. https://doi.org/10.7459/ites/13.1.02
El Kirat, Y. & Boussagui, Y. (2018). Amazigh in Morocco. In Heritage language policies around the world (pp.111-127). Routledge. https://doi:10.4324/9781315639444-8
El Kirat, Y., Hajjam, M., & Blila, S. (2010). Student’s attitudes towards the language in use in Morocco: The case of the faculty of letters-Rabat. In El Kirat, Y (Ed.), Globalization and mother tongues in Africa (p. 333-349).
El Kirat, Y. (2009). Issues in the representation of Amazigh language and identity in North Africa. Langues et Literatures, 19, 179-196.
Ennaji, M. (2014). Recognizing the Berber language in Morocco: A step for democratization. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 15(2), 93–99. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43773631
Ennaji, M. (2005). Multilingualism, cultural identity, and education in Morocco. Springer Science & Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/b104063
Errihani, M. (2008). Language attitudes and language use in Morocco: Effects of attitudes on ‘Berber language policy’. The Journal of North African Studies, 13(4), 411-428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629380701800492
Errihani, M. (2006). Language policy in Morocco: Problems and prospects of teaching Tamazight. Journal of North African Studies, 11(2), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629380600704803
Idhssaine, A. (2020). Moroccans’ attitudes towards Amazigh language teaching: Patterns and perspectives. Applied Linguistics Research Journal, 4(3), 52–64. https://doi:10.14744/alrj.2020.62634
Idhssaine, A., & El Kirat, Y. (2019). Amazigh language use, perceptions and revitalisation in Morocco: The case of Rabat-Sale region. The Journal of North African Studies, 26(3), 465-479. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629387.2019.1690996
Jamai, A. (2008). Language use and maintenance among the Moroccan minority in Britain. (Published Ph.D. Thesis, Salford University, European Studies Research Institute, the School of Languages). OpenGrey Repository. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/2030
Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68.
Lafkioui, M. (2013). Multilingualism, multimodality and identity construction on French- Based Amazigh (Berber) websites. Revue française de linguistique appliquée, (2), 135-151.https://doi:10.3917/rfla.182.0135
Lafkioui, M. B. (2008). Identity construction through bilingual Amazigh-Dutch “digital” discourse. In M. B. Lafkioui, & V. Brugnatelli (Eds), Berber in contact: Linguistic and sociolinguistic perspectives (pp. 217-231). Rüdiger Köppe Verlag. http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-444501
Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., & Zickuhr, K. (2010). Social Media & Mobile Internet Use among Teens and Young Adults. Millennials. Pew internet & American life project.https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED525056
Marley, D. (2004). Language attitudes in Morocco following recent changes in language policy. Language Policy, 3(1), 25-46. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:LPOL.0000017724.16833.66
McCombes, S. (2022, October 10). Descriptive Research | Definition, Types, Methods & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/descriptive-research/
Monica, & Anamaria, P. (2014). The Impact of Social Media on Vocabulary Learning Case Study-Facebook. Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 23(2).
Olojede, A. M., Ebim, M. A., & Abioye, A. T. (2018). Language Use on Social Media: A Study of Facebook Interactions by Yaba College of Technology Undergraduates. International Journal of Cultural Studies and Technology, 2(3).
Ouakrime, M. (2001). Promoting the maintenance of endangered languages through the Internet: The case of Tamazight. In C. Moseley, N. Ostler, & H. Ouzzate (Eds.), Endangered languages and the media: Proceedings of the fifth FEL conference (pp. 61–67). Foundation for Endangered Languages. https://eric.ed.gov/
Reino, T. (2007). Language Attitudes: Amazigh in Morocco. Swarthmore College, 1-57. http://hdl.handle.net/10066/10202
Sadiqi, F. (2011). The teaching of Amazigh (Berber) in Morocco. In J. Fishman, & Ofelia Garcia (Eds), Handbook of language and ethnic identity:The success-failure continuum in language and ethnic identity efforts (pp. 33-44). Oxford University Press.
Sadiqi, F. (1991). The spread of English in Morocco. In M. Ennaji (Ed.), International Journal of the Sociology of Language 87, 99-114.
Sperlich, W. B. (2005). Will cyberforums save endangered languages? A Niuean case study. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 172, 51–77. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl.2005.2005.172.51
Soulaimani, D. (2015). Writing and rewriting Amazigh/Berber identity: Orthographies and language ideologies. Writing Systems Research, 8(1), 1-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17586801.2015.1023176
Tess, P. A. (2013). The role of social media in higher education classes (real and virtual)–A literature review. Computers in human behavior, 29(5), A60-A68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.12.032
Warschauer, M. (2002). Languages.com: The internet and linguistic pluralism. In I. Snyder (Ed.), Silicon literacies: Communication, innovation and education in the electronic age (pp. 62-74). Routledge.
Youssi, A. (1995). The Moroccan triglossia: Facts and implications. International Journal of the Sociology of Language 112, 29-43.
Article Sidebar
Published
May 10, 2023
Article Details
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.