Language Policy and State in Morocco: The Status of Berber

M oroccan society has had a long tradition of multilingualism. It is socially and linguistically diverse, and its cultural makeup is one of the richest in N orth A frican countries. Its strategic location at the crossroads of A frica, E urope, and the M iddle E ast has made M orocco open to a variety of linguistic influences. Morocco has been invaded by P hoenicians, C arthaginians, G reek, R omans, V andals, B yzantines, A rabs, S panish, and F rench. All these civilizations have deeply influenced M oroccan language policy and cultural diversity. The cultural and linguistic context of M orocco is characterized by the significant use of Arabic, as well as the presence of B erber, F rench, S panish, and E nglish. Berbers are the indigenous populations of M orocco and have existed in N orth A frica since time immemorial. Despite its complexity, the language policy of M orocco reveals an overarching monolingualism, with the hegemony of Classical Arabic as the only official language of the country. Recently, however, language education policy in M orocco has attempted to accommodate multilingualism. The linguistic situation of B erber has taken a new twist as it has been incorporated into the realm of M oroccan schools. The new M oroccan constitution also represents a historical turn in that it has acknowledged B erber as an official language, a move that has raised several questions with regard to the real motivation behind it. B erber implementation policy was based on an entirely top‐down bureaucratic model of language policy. M oroccan policymakers and the state seem to be aware of how other dramas are playing out in M orocco and around the world as theories of multiculturalism and effects of globalization are influencing their decisions. However, this language policy encounters many hurdles, from the improvisation to lack of qualified teachers. This article is an attempt to understand the intricate diversity and plurality of M oroccan language situation and the role of the state in B erber language policy. It also examines the invisible politics behind implementing it.