The Linguistic Landscape in Algeria: from Post-Independence Arabicization to Linguistic Pluralism

Abstract

Abstract: Since Algeria got its independence, its language issue has been divisive. Language planners overlooked the intricacy of the Algerian sociolinguistic profile and its population’s attitudes towards the different languages in competition within the whole Algerian territory. Arabicization as a language policy favoured one language-in-education arising out a sort of minority nationalism among the Tamazight-speaking population, a fact which prevents nation-building on one hand and creates an atmosphere of rivalry between Literary Arabic and French on the other hand. Thus, this paper is devoted to sketching out the linguistic conflicts and identity issues raised in this country and attempts to demonstrate the necessity for linguistic pluralism instead of one language policy. It is, then, intended to discuss the interrelation between language politics and linguistic and cultural issues in Algeria, and to show to what extent linguistic plurality may be applicable taking into account Algeria’s current socio-cultural and linguistic diversity and its speakers’ language attitudes. Keywords: Linguistic Pluralism, one language-in-education policy, language planning, language conflict, identity