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Article published In: Language Problems and Language Planning
Vol. 42:2 (2018) ► pp.144–172

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Articles / Articulos / Aufsätz / Artikoloj

Language attitudes in Algeria

 | Baruch College, City University of New York
Published online: 21 June 2018
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.00017.bel
Abstract
This article examines language attitudes among Algerian first and second year engineering students at an Algerian university. A sample of 101 participants responded to a 51-item questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire showed a strong preference of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), English, and French by native speakers of Algerian Arabic (Derja). Native speakers of Tamazight (a Berber language) preferred MSA, English, French, and Tamazight. Participants were divided on many questions regarding MSA and Tamazight. It was also found that respondents favored English as a useful vehicle of economic opportunity and knowledge transfer. An overwhelming majority of respondents viewed multilingualism in Algeria positively. Interestingly, both Derja and Tamazight native speakers unanimously rejected promoting Derja to an official political status, and they indicated support for the teaching of English and French in school. Possible motives behind the attitudes are discussed and implications are suggested.
Abstrait
Les attitudes de langage en Algérie
Cette étude examine les attitudes linguistiques d’étudiants ingénieurs algériens de première et deuxième année. Un échantillon de 101 participants ont répondu à un questionnaire de 51 questions. Afin de vivre et de prospérer en Algérie et le reste du monde, les résultats montrent une forte préférence de l’arabe moderne standard (AMS), anglais et français par des locuteurs natifs de l’arabe algérien (Derja). Les locuteurs natifs de Tamazight préfèrent AMS, anglais, français et tamazight. Les participants sont divisés sur de nombreuses questions concernant le AMS et Tamazight. On a également constaté que les personnes interrogées sont favorables visàvis l’anglais comme véhicule utile d’opportunité économique et le transfert des connaissances. Une majorité écrasante voit positivement la présence de plusieurs langues en Algérie. Locuteurs natifs Derja et Tamazight rejettent unanimement la promotion de Derja à un statut politique officiel, et ils soutiennent l’enseignement de l’anglais et du français à l’école. Motivations possibles derrière les attitudes sont discutées et des implications sont proposées.
Resumo
Lingvaj vidpunktoj en Alĝerio
La nuna artikolo ekzamenas lingvajn vidpunktojn inter alĝeriaj unuajaraj kaj duajaraj studentoj pri inĝenierado en alĝeria universitato. Samplo de 101 partoprenantoj respondis al 51-era demandaro. Se temas pri vivi kaj prosperi en Alĝerio kaj la cetero de la mondo, la rezultoj montris fortan preferon al Moderna Norma Araba (MSA), angla kaj franca lingvoj fare de denaskaj parolantoj de alĝeria araba (Derja). Denaskaj parolantoj de Tamazight preferis MSA, anglan, francan plus Tamazight. Partoprenantoj havis diversajn opiniojn pri multaj demandoj koncerne MSA kaj Tamazight. Oni eltrovis ankaŭ, ke respondantoj favoris la anglan kiel utilan perilon de ekonomia avantaĝo kaj sciotransigo. Grandega plimulto de respondantoj favore rilatis al multlingvismo en Alĝerio. Denaskaj parolantoj de Derja kaj Tamazight unuanime malakceptis promocion de Derja al oficiala politika statuso, kaj ili subtenis la lernejan instruadon de la angla kaj franca. La artikolo pridiskutas la eblajn motivojn malantaŭ la vidpunktoj kaj sugestas eblajn implicojn.
Article outline
  • Attitudes toward multilingualism and Arabization
  • Background on attitudes toward English
  • Attitudes toward English speakers
  • Survey participants
  • Methodology
  • Summary of survey results
    • Language(s) that should be taught
    • Language and employment
    • Language usefulness
    • Attitudes toward multilingualism
    • Access to scientific and technical knowledge
    • Enriching cultural knowledge
  • Discussion of survey results
    • Official language status: An indicator of mixed attitudes
    • Best languages to be taught: English and French are the only constant factor
    • Language and employment: French and English dominate again
    • Language usefulness: No language more useful than English
    • Attitudes toward multilingualism
    • Access to scientific and technical knowledge: The case for a multilingual program
    • Enriching cultural knowledge
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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