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| Morocco: Speaking The Wrong Language |
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| Friday, 06 August 2010 18:30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It has been more than 55 years since independence now and while a lot of progress has been accomplished during these decades much advance is still needed in Moroccan society. This is also the awareness behind the recently launched social development plan to address poverty and unemployment: the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). Fact is though, that however much effort, time and money is poured in a top-down approach like the ones with the help from the IMF, the World Bank, the Paris Club or from the entry into the Association Agreement with the EU and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, or just the boosting of the tourism sector, it all boils down to, in the end, the action or inaction for that matter seen on the grassroots level. It is at this “individual level of Hassan and Fatima” that optimism or pessimism will reign in their thoughts about their future and their kids’ future. My counsel then is that a lot of the “haraka” on this specific basic level is determined by the second language that Hassan and Fatima will be speaking to each other ordinarily. While we celebrate quite some decades of independence now year after year, one can truly ask himself whether that state of independence has truly soaked our whole Moroccan society? Or is it that in certain corners, some of them essential, the French occupier is virtually still subjugating our hearts and minds to the detriment of our future prospects? Well in the matter of language the question does not even beg for an answer: every Moroccan academician, scientist, entrepreneur, artist, writer, doctor, politician or whatever key societal character, will easily admit that French is still the Master of the Moroccan Universe. In more than 50 years France has still succeeded in keeping the illusion in Morocco alive and kicking that we need our historical and cultural ties with it. It is a communal trance-like state of mind that is inhibiting our progress. Even after all the abuse that colonialism brought with it. (Or perhaps even because of the abuse of our people during centuries by the Western occupiers that shared the inhumane idea behind colonialism.)This pathological trait of dependency is still hurting Moroccan society and it’s future enormously. While I am in the least propagating a severing of ties with France or its culture, it would be foolish indeed, I am merely asking Moroccans to count to 10, think again and again and ask themselves plainly why they would choose French as a second language in this 21st Century? France and its culture has become a niche society on Earth and following it as a Moroccan amounts to civilizational self-destruction. While it was understandably hard to make this massive cultural transition in the sixties or the seventies of the 20th Century, nothing ought to keep the Kingdom and its people from choosing their own future nowadays. And this counts especially for the second language that we are cultivating collectively in Morocco. So that is why I am proposing to kick out the French asap and welcome the English in our homes, of course secondly behind our treasured Arabic. There is also a powerful psychological reason behind this transition that will mean a world of difference on this grassroots level. France and French are part of our history. And that is exactly all it should be. A part in our history that we did not choose voluntarily. A part also that cost our society a lot to shed definitely, if not at least partially. For the remaining part, French as a Lingua Franca in Moroccan society, consciously, but even more unconsciously, still reminds us of being slaves, of being dependent, of being backward, of being unable and of being all the things that second rate people are, or better phrased: of being what racist people want you to think of yourselves, of being second rate: "I am less worthy, less able”. This mental complex deeply rooted in our collective mind would take generations to overcome otherwise. By audaciously and emphatically peeling French from our society, which was not of our own choosing, we heal ourselves collectively. And by replacing it of our own accord by English (as a logical alternative to better connect to world society and be better prepared for the future) we would heal ourselves even more! It would emanate a second grand wave of independence in Moroccan society. A true collective grass-roots wave that speaks ofwill-power, self-determination, self-expression and new trust, hope and optimism for the future. It is the collective people’s effort of riding the Laraki of Moroccan destiny while halting the constant watching in the rear mirror and start looking through the front window, to 2050 and beyond, in the sole interest of our children and grandchildren. This gargantuan social effort would be very difficult for Morocco on its own to endeavor. Before mentioned complex is responsible for a lot of “no-can-do”-mentality in Morocco. The easiest thing is therefore to just say no and acquiesce in the status quo. Once bitten, twice shy goes the saying. Or to evade the matter by inventing excuses why change is not there to happen. But Morocco is in dire need of stepped up growth. The question is whether all the actions taken now are enough to meet the needs of the exploding young generations. That is why an audacious and innovative approach is desired. A committee could investigate and report on how this transition is best done during one generation. Helpful would be ties with the Anglophone part of the world in general and Islamic countries in particular. As a live example of the last category, showing a marvelous development trajectory counts the experience of Malaysia: it is comparable to Morocco in population but instead had a very successful transition since independence from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy and now in the midst of growing into a services oriented economy delivering these also to developed countries. Not coincidentally Malaysia was managed for decades by a doctor who had an assertive and healing stance against their former colonial occupier: the legendary Dr. Mahathir. Morocco would do well to emulate his Wawasan 2020 vision and try to learn from his teachings on the issue of transforming society. But Morocco needs to disremember French and acquire English very soon: the 2nd language after Bahasa in Malaysia….il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire. Author: Saïd Bellari is a Moroccan Dutch Psychiatrist who writes on current issues.
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Lost in translation
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Why ? There is no racism in French. But most of people are tired with all these immigrants who come only for social and medical care. It costs billions euros each year. French is the most taxed country in the world - Asia Forbes. Which country will accept that ? And after, you see the young immigrants shooting against the police in the suburb of the cities... It is crazy. It won't be accepted in other country than France nor in Morroco. A friend of mine said that this delinquancy would be solve in one hour in any Maghreb country. |
Lost in translation
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Why ? If french is a so dark country, why there is so much Morrocans in France ? You think really that to change the langage will bring the country up over the mountains ? Ghana is a so developped english speaking country ? Work, work, work, work like chinese. No other solutions to grow up. One question more : how long will you use the colonialism to justify a economical lackness ? |
Alia Al-Dalli
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Ms Darija is a dialect of Arabic. Just like Egyptian, Tunisian Lebanese, Saudi or Iraqi dialects, Moroccan dialect (darija) is spoken Arabic according to the local accent, local words and sounds. A dialect may have specific non-Arabic words as influenced by other languages in use. However, it is only in Morocco that some think that darija is not Arabic. In fact, the word 'darija' is an Arabic word meaning 'what is commonly used. It would be very strange to consider the common used dialect (darij) as an official language. It would be like using spoken English or French with all their quirks as the official languages and discarding the Queen's English or classical French in favour of the spoken dialect. |
Massin
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Morocco is Berber Country Morocco is not arabic country but berber country.. well the official language of morocco must be thamazight(berber) and not arabic !! than as second language englis or spanish.. |
Moons
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LoL? FIRST : Our first language is not arabic but moroccan Our second language is not french but berber THEN: I completly disagree. Something that you should point out is that we do not speak arabic or berber (don't forget this one) or french or spanish or whatever, we speak moroccan, which is OUR language, and that is a mix of the previous ones. An optimal language is a language that allows us to communicate the most efficient way possible. And trying to change our habits (for obscur reasons) will not allow us to communicate efficiently. Also, you can ask people in Nigeria or Kenya if English did any good to them! |
Nabiha E.
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WAKE UP!!! Slaves!!! The "French Occupier" HAS LEFT more than a half century ago!!! We switched from a French curriculum to an "Arabised" curriculum in the late fifties and gradually faded out the French schools(les ecoles de la Mission.) Yes, we kept French as a second language but the primary teaching language has been Arabic, and sadly what has been the result? A staggeringly mediocre education system. Not because we are teaching in French or Arabic but because our whole education system is failing miserably. In fact, if we want to be honest, the quality of our education was much higher when we where teaching more subjects in French. Students who attended Moroccan schools in the sixties and seventies where far better educated, had a smoother transition when they pursued their higher education, and were even able to switch much more easily to studying in English when they continued their studies in America or England! That's because the education they received back then was of a higher quality, inherited (YES!) from the French system. Once our so called "Arabisation" went into full speed in the mid-seventies, the quality of our teaching started going down and now we have a majority of inadequately formed and badly trained teachers massively contributing to the degradation of our schools. Blaming "the occupier" or one language over the other has prevented us from seeing where the reel problems lie. Many countries in Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean Islands teach English as first or second language and this alone has not helped them get on the 21st century train. NO language (whether we teach in English, Arabic, Darija, Berber...) will well help us resolve the sad state in which our education system has been sinking in UNTIL we stop the blame game and look IN ALL HONESTY at our OWN failing policies. If we want to build a solid, well educated, confident, creative, assertive and competitive society we need to give younger generations all the modern education tools they need. We seriously need to review and up date our entire curriculum, design a more efficient training program for our teachers AND school administrators, raise their salaries AND hold them ALL more accountable. We ALSO need to better equip our schools with libraries, labs, computers, cafeterias, dorms, sports and arts programs... We need to stop our obsession with military expenses and put a large chunk of that money into educating our youth! And that my friends is only up to US...It is time to stop rehashing the same blaming speeches that only advocate division and isolation and promote instead the great values of cooperation and inclusion. Instead of pointing fingers at one language over the other we should offer more language choices and better teaching of Arabic, Berber of course but also English, French, Spanish, Chinese, etc., along with old languages such as Latin, Greek, Hebrew, etc., because we can and we should learn from every culture, and that is not called "slavery" that is called KNOWLEDGE: the best tool there is that helps us shed our old colonial complexes and stay better connected to our vibrantly diverse world! |
Darnazina
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... To Morcelli: Are you saying that all moroccans ar shikhats, included your parents? Or you, in your home you speak like egyptians with your parents!!!!What language do you speak in Morocco, I havn't seen anybody speaking arabic in Morocco except one gay that lives in our neiberhood, by the way he also does belly dancing in the night clubs, and the prostitutes in AIN Diab (Casa). Arabic is useless in Morocco, this is a fact. Darija is used by almost all moroccans. |
ard
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... Totally agree. Reversing colonialism demands that we forget French. Not altogether, but rather to the point that its fluency in Morocco is commensurate to its economic value. That would certainly mean abandoning its use in many settings. I can think of no reason to hear french in Moroccan television or read it on bank statements. Things like that should sober us up to this unwelcome grip our society is within. |
morcelli
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... darija is useless. it's the language of shikhat. Arabic should be the official language followed by chinese/madarine. |
MORO YANKEE
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FRENCH LANGUAGE IS AS DARK AS ANY THIRD WORLD LANGUAGE IF IT WAS NOT FOR US THE YANKS, THE FRENCH POEPLE WOULD BE SPEAKING GERMAN BY NOW , GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT, MOROCCO NEED TO BE INDEPENDANT FROM FRANCE AGAIN FORGET THE 50'S |
Moroccan Patriot
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Darija should be Moroccos official language The biggest problem facing Morocco is lack of pride. Moroccans are, for the most part ashamed of their nationality. When travelling for Europe, they often claim to be French or Spanish, or even Saudi when trolling the bars trying out pick up lines on women with Blue card visas stamped to their foreheads. Part of this lack of pride can be attributed to the fact that Morocco despite its unique language/customs religion. |
khalid
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Darija as offical language... Without doubt I believe that we should shift away from the French and Arabic languages and have the English be the second language in Morocco. French is a cool/romantic language, when you learn it, you can pronounce correctly wine names and fancy dishes, sing Edith Piaf and Jack Brel songs. Other than that I don't see any other usage for it. Even in France, if you don't speak English, basically you are considered uneducated. Arabic, “Supposedly the Official language” that nobody uses, is good for nothing but for reading ,not understanding, the Arabic Poems and Al-Quran, and for other religious purposes... Nobody in the “Arab world” speak it, even in its countries of origination in the Arabic peninsula... Why should it be in Morocco then!! Neither the Arabic nor the French language is good for business or the development of the Moroccan society. We limit ourselves not to benefit from the global economy. Morocco is unique country, with a unique and rich culture. We are not Arabs, we are not just Imazighens and we’re definitely not Europeans, we are a mixture of all the above. This mixture is mirrored in our language which is Darija (the Moroccan language). We all understand Darija, we all can speak it. We use it to communicate on day to day basis. But nobody wants to acknowledge the fact that it is our language and it should be written and taught in schools as our first language. I strongly believe that is the root cause of illiteracy problem we have in Morocco . We teach students in a language that’s not theirs, and not in the language they learned and used outside of school. So they have to memorize instead of understand school subjects. Since most of people are not good in memorizing, lots of students barely pass classes or even worse drop out of school. We end up with we have now, over 50% of illiterate people and wasted talents that Morocco could have benefited from. Khalid Ouled S’la |
SarahD
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... Changing the 2nd language to English is something I have said for years. Economically it makes much more sense. China and India are now the world leaders in economics and trade and their 2nd language in business is English. That being said if you think the switching from French to English isn't already happening in Morocco than you are out of the loop. English surely is replacing French though it is something that will take minimum 2 decades. English is now be taught simultaneously with French and Arabic at a grade school level across the country and this is not a random choice of the Ministry of Education. This is a calculated, educated, move to replace French with English. |
Morcelli
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... Happy Ramadan everyone and may God bless you with health and happiness in this sacred month! |
Mister1979
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... Vietnam is an ex-colony of French, but they are focussing on English. And that is why they are now having 10 billion dollar FDI a year. Japan, US, China etc all invest in them. Even French speaking countries in Sub- Sahara Africa are now focussing on english, because they want to do business with China. They say that China is doing more for them than French and French has lost its power and infleunce in Africa. Only Morocco is still obsessed by French. In Europe nobody speaks French anymore. English is a must in schools. If Morocco would focus on english they can attracte billions of FDI a year and divers their trade with other countries in the world. Asia, South-America, Russia etc are the next big thing. |
Mister1979
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Frenche is over A dutch newspaper wrote recently the same about Morocco. That the handicap of Morocco is the French language. If Morocco wants to do trade and attracte investors from Asia they need to speak English. If you speak good English in Morocco and have a good education you will have for 100% a job. European companies want Moroccans who speak English. Even in French the elite and the businessmen use english. Morocco still thinks that French is important, only 1% in the world speaks French. |
zhiliga
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que pena a lousy country and nothing will save it. when did english rescue a country from mediocrity? the us is turning into a third world country and to all of you moroccans, you are not the only ones in this situation. don't try to fix it, erase it. |
Muslim
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I totally agree A young Arabic poet says, "Law Takallamuto Lisana Ghayree Wa Labisto Thiyaba Ghayree...Faqra Ala Qawmee Minnis Salama" If I speak the language of another tribe and I don the clothes of someone else, then you can kiss goodbye to my own tribe. The clothes we wear and the language we speak has an effect on an individual either we like it or not. No harm in learning new languages but French people are racists! Why would you prefer French over other languages? |
Simohamed NY
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Morocco IS NOT an independent country Let’s not kid ourselves and let's say it as we see it: Morocco is not an "independent country". The so called Istiqlal was GIVEN to a bunch of FWASSA and the so called leadership of Jaych a-Tahrir who were simply looking after their own interests and the interest of the ONE who put them in power and warned them that if they try to challenge him, they would regret it (and some did - e.g. Mehdi Ben Berka). Ladies and Gentlemen, READ YOUR HISTORY (and please not the history books that you find in KALIKA WA DIMNA!). Soon after "ISTIQLA", monarchy in Morocco surrounded itself with Moroccan born but former French officers who fought FOR France in its wars and aided France in ensuring that every part of Morocco was under its control (Oufkir and his inner circle). Heck, even Iben Arafa was not executed and soon after Istiqlal showed up in the palace, kissed the king's feet and was awarded thousands of hectares of good land in the Atlas mountains. Economically, ONA was and has been a French/royal corporation that controls every aspect of the Moroccan economic life. If ONA goes dows, Moroccans will starve. Solution: is it to institute a different language (Author's suggestion)? I disagree! It is not a question of language, it is a question of political and ideological change and will that we must undergo in Morocco to become competitive and hopeful for a better tomorrow. To start with, we need to have a new constitution that clearly states that Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament that is the product of free elections. Then, we need a national policy with broad consent and lot and lots of funding (such as the one we have on the issue of Sahara) to reform our educational system. Stop the nonsense of the privatization of the education system which benefits only those who can afford it, and let's develop strategies to improve child's skills in reading, writing, math and science. Let's not fix the mistake of having two systems: one in French and another in Arabic. it should all be in Arabic, which IS (whether you like it or not) the language of the majority of people in Morocco. Politics and ideology aside, Arabic has been the language of usage for centuries and the Berber minority should be free to utilize and advance its language and culture, but not in the school system because it will just add to the confusion. |
XXXX
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CONCLUSION The author of this article "Mr. Said" trying to advise us to make an end to french language, but in meanwhile himself he is still using french language. Just look at the conclusion that he made at the end of his article and you will get the point. This is what he wrote: But Morocco needs to disremember French and acquire English very soon: the 2nd language after Bahasa in Malaysia….il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire. |
XXXX
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Conclusion The author Mr. Said want us to make an end to french language, but in meanwhile himself he is stll using the French language. Just look at the conclusion he made at the end of his article, and you will get the point. THIS WAS HIS CONCLUSION: "But Morocco needs to disremember French and acquire English very soon: the 2nd language after Bahasa in Malaysia….il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire." |
1. 2 . Krad
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... Dr Bellari, Thank you for the article. "English as our working language has prevented conflicts arising between our difeferent races and given us a competitive advantage because it is the internatinal language of business and diplomacy,of science and technology.without it,we would not have many of the world's multinationals and over 200 of the worlds top banks in Singapore. Nor would our people have taken readily to computers and internet" - quote from - Memoirs of Lee Kwan Yew "From the Third World to First. regards, Ben Mohamed PS, I highly recommend Mr Lee Kwan Yew's books, above and "The Singapore Story," for an inside view on how Singapore achieved it's success from adversity in less than forty years. |
chakib
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DARIJA FRENC AND ENGLISH new concept spare me the great rethoric, so You mean we have a backward mentality because of the french occupation? so you suggest we depend on arabic alone (for many years) since it should take decades for english to really settle in as a second langage, in which time we will really go backward by aquiring great academic, culture and moral values from your "well developed" middlle east. "catch 22" . damned if u do, damned if u don't. and what about the berbers in all of this? and the last time I checked we don't even speak Arabic. we speak moroccan (darija). I lived in dubai for few months and I had to use english all the time to get my message through with the so called arabs. here's a better idea, why not follow Attaturk's concept and declare darija(which also has some berber in it) as our language, use roman letters and get rid for once and all of the real backward arabic, have french and english at the same level of importance and look frorward to a bright future. |
XXXX
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Great Conclusion How about the great conclusion you made in your article Mr. Said??? "il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire" Yakoulouna malayaf3aloun. Lahawla wala kowata illa billah. France/French...English...or whatever is not the problem! WE ARE THE PROBLEM and we are responsible for everything that let our society rooling backward! |
Agree 300%
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oh yes! French has close the door to all african! Now what?, all Africans went to USA for studies because it's easy to Go to usa that going to France, and on mean time many (institutions francais) close because there is no more students.! French is losing the africans poeple who create and give richness to there French culture for decades. and when i see Moroccan poeple pay money to get their kids to French school.!! i am (Wow)! |
Apache
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... Moroccan Patriot, Completely agree with you. Why change a good thing? Morocco is heaven for a handful of families. Slogans for the democratic process have been and will continue to fill our ears with transparency this, accountability that, rule of law and what not. But in reality the imperialistic French ideology will continue to feed the starving masses with a whole lot of dreams and nonsense. The status Quo continues on. A |
Sleepy
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... Remember 1940 Germany's invasion of France ,and Morocco still sleeping .. .zz zzz zz |
moroccan patriot
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Agree 100% French is outdated. It is a useless language. Making the second language after Arabic in Morocco, English makes a lot more sense. However, this will NOT happen. The reason this will NOT happen is because Morocco has very poor Leadership. The Leadership in Morocco does not care about the average Moroccan. The Leadership in Morocco has disdain for the average Morocco, bordering on psychotic hate. If you hear the way the self acclaimed, "big families" speak about the masses of Morocco, you would throw up. The Leadership of Morocco has no interest in affecting positive change and the population of Morocco are, for the most part, a very cowardly lot. The only way positive change could ever be affected in Morocco is if Immigration were stopped. So long as 10% of the population leave the country - the pressure valve is under constant release - now if this 10% of prisoners in Morocco were to be prevented from Emigrating from Morocco - then there would be a positive change. Agree with the idea of getting rid of French, but think that the main reason that Morocco is still a third world nation is because of bad Leadership. |
Free your mind, free you sole
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To know who you are is to know your history! Thank you Said for the excellent article. So, you want us to look under the lady! What for? Why carry the burden of knowing if denial is an option? To know how “we got here” is to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Some years ago, this would be considered an impossible and futile mission, but thank God, information is now than ever before available to the masses. Not very long ago, some Moroccan research student, while studying in France decided that history – Moroccan history, that is -- is something that humanity can NOT afford to allow to go into nothingness. So, he decided to write about the five year old “Republic of the Rif.” The extermination of the glorious republic came at the hands of the French-Spanish joined forces and their chemical weapons. Since French and France in particular are mentioned, let’s start there and a good place to start from is to do a quick search of the terms “France and mission civilisatrice” and “evolué” and see for yourself. With that in mind, I suggest you ask yourself if the status of the French language/culture has changed now that Morocco is an “independent.” state. The take away here is that France has never left Morocco and we are to dumb to get it! That is, the inferiority complex that France meticulously injected (and continues to nurse) into the Moroccan psyche is alive, growing and kicking. Oh, and while speaking about history, here a something that I hope will invoke some memories in at least for some …: Yaa khawmo laa tatakallamou Inna Lkalaama mo7arramou Naamoou wa laa tastay9idou Maa faaza illa nnowamo Fa-ammaa ssiyyasata fatrokou Wa illa fasatandamou … Any of you know who wrote this poem what it describes? Wake up people, take a stand: TEACH (OR SEND YOU KIDS TO SCHOOL) to learn enough to be able to full in love with their culture and religion. |
Morcelli
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... Moroccans are inhibiting Moroccans. If you are good, you are good no matter what you language you profess. When are you folks going to stop the blame game and roll your sleeves and get to work to make things better? Change starts with you! |
To know who you are is to know your history
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Free your mind, free you sole! Thank you Said for the excellent article. So, you want us to look under the lady! What for? Why carry the burden of knowing if denial is an option? To know how “we got here” is to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Some years ago, this would be considered an impossible and futile mission, but thank God, information is now than ever before available to the masses. Not very long ago, some Moroccan research student, while studying in France decided that history – Moroccan history, that is -- is something that humanity can NOT afford to allow to go into nothingness. So, he decided to write about the five year old “Republic of the Rif.” The extermination of the glorious republic came at the hands of the French-Spanish joined forces and their chemical weapons. Since French and France in particular are mentioned, let’s start there and a good place to start from is to do a quick search of the terms “France and mission civilisatrice” and “evolué” and see for yourself. With that in mind, I suggest you ask yourself if the status of the French language/culture has changed now that Morocco is an “independent.” state. The take away here is that France has never left Morocco and we are to dumb to get it! That is, the inferiority complex that France meticulously injected (and continues to nurse) into the Moroccan psyche is alive, growing and kicking. Oh, and while speaking about history, here a something that I hope will invoke some memories in at least for some …: Yaa khawmo laa tatakallamou Inna Lkalaama mo7arramou Naamoou wa laa tastay9idou Maa faaza illa nnowamo Fa-ammaa ssiyyasata fatrokou Wa illa fasatandamou … Any of you know who wrote this poem what it describes? Wake up people, take a stand: TEACH (OR SEND YOU KIDS TO SCHOOL) to learn enough to be able to full in love with their culture (of origin) and religion. |
chakib
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new concept spare me the great rethoric, so You mean we have a backward mentality because of the french occupation? so you suggest we depend on arabic alone (for many years) since it should take decades for english to really settle in as a second langage, in which time we will really go backward by aquiring great academic, culture and moral values from your "well developed" middlle east. "catch 22" . damned if u do, damned if u don't. and what about the berbers in all of this? and the last time I checked we don't even speak Arabic. we speak moroccan (darija). I lived in dubai for few months and I had to use english all the time to get my message through with the so called arabs. here's a better idea, why not follow Attaturk's concept and declare darija(which also has some berber in it) as our language, use roman letters and get rid for once and all of the real backward arabic, have french and english at the same level of importance and look frorward to a bright future. |
Saïd Bellari
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@ Adil & Big R La shukran ala wajib. It was a pleasure to write this article, and I am happy you liked it, in the interest of Morocco but also because I have always wanted to honor Dr. M. someway...:-) |
Saf Hussain
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French language inhibiting Moroccan growth Very well argued & written. I have often said to friends that Morocco is suffering in international trade & business due to its concentration on France. The exclusion of the English speaking world is costing millions upon millions of dollars every year. Britain near by & the US next door (Over the Atlantic). I was told that the French subsidise the Moroccan education system to ensure that French retains its predominant position. Good for French ego & French business but does it serve the people of Morocco ? |
Morcelli
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... Ok let me get this straight. Remove French, replace it with English, Blame France for our misery and backwards mentality. Problem solved. WOW!!! genius! |
Darnazina
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... In my humble opinion,Darija should be the unifing language of Moroccans. We do not need to learn arabic at school, I myself never used it! English should be our first foreign language that will unify us with the rest of the world, followed by romantic French language!! |
Don't sell the farm!!!!
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Against the preponderance of middle-eastern influence How about we eradicate anything and everything that makes morocco unique and instead invite middle eastern experts over to show us how to speak, dress, and behave.... Who doesn't aspire at reaching a "below zero" level (pun intended) of development. I recommend you pick up a book titled "confessions of an economic hit-man" to learn a bit more about what you might be dreaming of. |
Adil Lakhlifi
said:
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The devil wearing jlaba Mr Saïd Bellari ,I want to thank you for this great inspiring article, I totally agree to all what you have sad, The French occupier succeed to occupy not just the land, but succeed to occupy our culture believes and our education system to a level, now the majority of Moroccans consider somebody who speak french and educated person no matter what you back round education is, but if you are a Moroccan holder of PHD in different language like Arabic or English or any different language(if you don't speak french you'll be considered uneducated) I think the devil did great job entering the Moroccan soul from all the corners, I'm so optimistic and sure that soon all the moroccan gonna close door on the face of this (Chaitan) |
BigR
said:
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Agree 100% I thought of this 100 times and i couldn't express it more than how it was laid out in this article. very good job Saaid. One thing i would suggest in the education sector is to give the choice between English and french instead of enforcing french in elementary schools. that should reduce the impact of transition for the new generations. |
Colin Kilkelly
said:
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Mr The suggestion by the Sarkozy government that they might block French companies from outsourcing call centres to Morocco indicates that Morocco would benefit from wider access to the worldwide English speaking market for more employment opportunities. Unfortunately the teaching of English in Morocco has been very neglected over the years and it will take time to make it more widely available in schools and training centres. |
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