Languages of Algeria
The official languages of Algeria are Arabic and Tamazight (Berber), as specified in its constitution since 1963 for the former and since 2016 for the latter. Berber has been recognized as a "national language" by constitutional amendment since 8 May 2002. In February, 2016, a constitutional resolution was passed making Berber an official language alongside Arabic. Algerian Arabic and Berber are the native languages of over 99% of Algerians, with Algerian Arabic spoken by about 90% and Berber by 10%. French, though it has no official status, is still used in media (some newspapers) and education. due to Algeria's colonial history. Kabyle, the most spoken Berber language in the country, is taught and partially co-official (with a few restrictions) in parts of Kabylie.
| Languages of Algeria | |
|---|---|
| Official | Arabic Tamazight |
| Regional | Hassaniya Arabic (unrecognized) Korandje (unrecognized) |
| Vernacular | Varieties of Arabic (72%)
Berber languages (27.4%)
|
| Immigrant | Turkish |
| Foreign | French 70% English 8% |
| Signed | Algerian Sign Language |
| Keyboard layout | |
| Part of a series on the |
| Culture of Algeria |
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| People |
| Mythology |
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Malika Rebai Maamri, author of "The Syndrome of the French Language in Algeria," said "The language spoken at home and in the street remains a mixture of Algerian dialect and French words." Due to the number of languages and complexity involving those languages, Maamri argued that "[t]oday the linguistic situation in Algeria is dominated by multiple discourses and positions."