Is Algerian an Arabic language or Dialect

I have always had connections to both Algeria and France due to my father’s work. This dual exposure means our family and friends frequently switch between French and Algerian Arabic (Derja). Growing up, this wasn’t problematic, as everyone around us spoke Derja. In high school and university, we used French more due to our studies and environment. Throughout my career, I interacted with people from across the Arab world, including Egyptians, Lebanese, Jordanians, Palestinians, Iraqis, Libyan, Saudis, and Qatari etc. I encountered frequent misconceptions about Algerian language use. Many assume that Algerians speak French fluently and do not consider our dialect as Arabic.

Traveling to neighbouring countries like Tunisia, I started noticing Tunisians use less French and more Derja which is very similar to the east of Algeria, that highlighted cultural differences. My work took me to various countries, starting with Egypt. Despite being aware of the distinct Arabic spoken in Egyptian media, I found it challenging to be understood and communicate effectively with Egyptians until I learned to speak Egyptian. Most people I’ve spoken with believe that Arabic and French are the only languages spoken in Algeria, a misconception stemming from political confusion about the country’s linguistic landscape. In reality, Derja, the main mother tongue of Algerians, is often seen as a dialect of Arabic, not a separate language. This perception persists despite the fact that Arabs from the Middle East often cannot understand Derja, finding it the hardest “Arabic dialect.”

Algerians themselves are often surprised when they can’t communicate with other Arabic speakers using Derja and must switch to Modern Standard Arabic. Algerians are notably talented linguists, adept at learning new languages and mimicking accents. This topic warrants further exploration.

After years of navigating these misunderstandings, I researched and learned to articulate the linguistic landscape of Algeria better. Here are a few key points about the language spoken in Algeria.

So, what are the languages spoken in Algeria?

Algeria’s linguistic landscape is intricate, with over 45 million people speaking multiple languages. Officially, Arabic and Berber are the languages of the country, but in practice, the situation is more nuanced. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), while being the official language used in formal settings, is not commonly spoken in daily life. Instead, Algerians predominantly use Derja, Berber dialects, and French.

Is it Derja or Algerian Arabic or simply Algerian?

Derja Known as Algerian Arabic is quite distinct from Modern Standard Arabic, it has a mostly Semitic vocabulary. It contains Berber, Punic and Latin (African Romance) influences and has some loanwords from French, Andalusian Arabic, Ottoman Turkish and Spanish. It’s argued that Derja could be considered a separate language due to its significant differences from Modern standard Arabic and other Arabic dialects. French has heavily influenced Derja, especially in terms of vocabulary related to technology, science, and daily life. Despite some considering French speakers as elite, all Algerians incorporate French terms into daily discourse, sometimes intertwining Derja and French seamlessly in a practice known as code-switching. This linguistic interplay underscores the intricate social dynamics of language use in Algeria, where French often serves as a common ground.

Berber, or Amazigh, is an ancient language with deep historical roots in Algeria. Although many regions have lost their Berber languages to Derja or Algerian Arabic, several Berber dialects, including Kabyle, Mzabi, and Tamahaq, are still spoken. Recently, Berber has gained official language status, reflecting internal debates about national identity and ethnicity in Algeria. The dialects, despite being distinct, are mutually intelligible and similar to those in neighbouring countries.

*French the legacy of French colonialism is evident in Algeria, where French remains the first foreign language taught in schools and is widely spoken. Despite mixed feelings about French due to its colonial past, it plays a crucial role in Algerian society, especially in education, international communication, and cultural identity. Over 30% of Algerians speak French fluently, making Algeria one of the largest French-speaking country in the world. French is often seen as the language of the cultural elite, while MSA is used by the political elite, and Derja is spoken by the general public.

*English language in Algeria has recently received a little more attention and the country has started focusing a little more on teaching English in schools. Some even speak of a radical shift