دراسات
Volume 11, Numéro 1, Pages 1014-1027
2022-05-13

Investigating The Algerian Attitudes Towards The Status Of French Language In Algeria

Authors : Bouarfa Fatima Zahra . Benketaf Hafid .

Abstract

Abstract: Language is an instrumental component of the culture of a community through which the individual expresses his vision of the world. The aim of this article is to study the linguistic situation in Algeria today because several languages coexist within the framework of a linguistic policy capable of taking into account all linguistic diversities. Among these languages French. Algeria is the second country in the world that speaks French. It is used almost everywhere, in the street, administration, media, school and even in political and some official meetings. The research methodology in this article employs qualitative and quantitative approach including two questionnaires directed to students of English and the administrative workers of Belhadj Bouchaib University in Ain Temouchent in addition to an interview with teachers of English to gather data on their perceptions on the status of French in Algeria. The case study includes 100 students of English who are chosen randomly, 60 administrative workers in the university and about 40 teachers of English. The case study reveals that although the Algerian authorities have implemented the policy of Arabisation in almost all fields by imposing the Arabic language, French is still used in many domains and in people’s life in general. This implies that despite its equivocal status in Algeria, its use expanded significantly after independence. Even though it represents a foreign language, it continues to be a professional communication tool in many sectors

Keywords

Language ; Culture ; Linguistic Diversity- ; French ; Linguistic Conflict