Language, Power, and Privilege in Morocco
By Becca Newman
The politics of language, and more specifically the french language, is exemplified through Morocco’s lingering effects of French colonialism to becoming a symbol of socio-economic privilege. Introduced systematically during the French Protectorate period (1912–1956), the French language became intertwined in Moroccan society through education, administration, and economic systems. While Morocco gained independence in 1956, French retained its dominance as the language of power and prestige, reinforcing a system where fluency in French grants access to wealth and opportunity, while those educated in Arabic or Tamazight face structural disadvantages. Despite efforts at Arabization and the recent recognition of Tamazight as an official language, French remains the de facto language of the elite, ensuring that linguistic hierarchy continues to shape Morocco’s class dynamics. However, in recent years, the rise of English and the resurgence of Amazigh identity have challenged French linguistic dominance, reflecting shifts in Moroccan cultural and political goals. This essay explores French linguistic influence in Morocco, its association with elitism, the impact of Arabization policies, and the growing resistance to French soft power through the rise of English and Amazigh activism.
The origins of French language influence in Morocco date back to the Protectorate era, during which France deliberately implemented language policies to consolidate power. Unlike outright colonization, the French Protectorate system relied on collaboration with local elites, and French education became an important tool in this process. French administrators established elite schools, such as the “sons of notables” institutions and French-Muslim colleges, designed to cultivate a class of bilingual Moroccan intermediaries who would serve French interests. This strategy ensured that French remained the language of governance, diplomacy, and commerce, while the majority of the population, particularly those in rural areas, had limited access to education.
By selectively educating an elite class in French, colonial authorities created a system where linguistic capital translated into political and economic power. Access to French-language education became a prerequisite for administrative positions, high-ranking military roles, and international business opportunities, reinforcing an economic divide between French-speaking elites and Arabic-speaking lower classes. Even after Morocco achieved independence, this language hierarchy persisted, as Morocco’s post-colonial administration continued to rely on French in important sectors, including law, science, and higher education. The term “Françafrique”, which refers to France’s continued economic and cultural influence over its former colonies, remains relevant in Morocco, where French language dominance continues to shape access to power.
In contemporary Morocco, fluency in French is still strongly associated with socio-economic privilege. French remains the primary language of administration, international trade, and higher education, reinforcing class divisions between French-speaking elites and the Arabic-educated majority. Private institutions such as Lycée Lyautey in Casablanca, which charges tuition fees inaccessible to most Moroccans, cater to the Francophone upper class, ensuring that fluency in French continues to be a marker of elite status.
The disparities in French proficiency between private and public school students demonstrate the systemic nature of this linguistic divide. A 2021 study revealed that only 9% of Moroccan public school students achieve satisfactory levels of French, compared to 62% of private school students (British Council, 2021). These statistics reflect how French acts as a gatekeeper to high-paying jobs in sectors such as banking, medicine, and international business, where Arabic speakers are at a disadvantage. This linguistic elitism perpetuates intergenerational cycles of privilege, with elite families ensuring their children remain fluent in French to maintain their economic and social dominance.
Beyond economics, French fluency is also tied to Westernization and cultural status, leading to tensions between French-speaking elites and Arabic-speaking Moroccans. Many working- and middle-class Moroccans perceive Francophone elites as disconnected from national identity, reinforcing an ongoing cultural struggle between Westernization and traditionalism. This conflict manifests in political discourse, social interactions, and debates over Morocco’s educational policies, as different segments of the population seek to redefine Morocco’s linguistic and cultural identity.
In an effort to reclaim national identity and reduce French influence, Morocco pursued Arabization policies in the decades following independence. These reforms aimed to replace French with Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) in education, government, and administration. However, Arabization efforts faced many challenges, as they were often driven by nationalist ideology rather than practical considerations.
One of the major flaws of Arabization policies was their failure to address the entrenched role of French in higher education and professional fields. While primary and secondary education increasingly relied on Arabic, higher education and scientific disciplines remained dominated by French, leaving many students unprepared for university and the job market. This language disconnect created a paradox where students educated in Arabic struggled to transition into French-dominated careers, further reinforcing French as the language of economic opportunity.
Moreover, Arabization marginalized Morocco’s language diversity, particularly Amazigh (Berber) languages. Although Tamazight was recognized as an official language in the 2011 Moroccan Constitution, its practical implementation remains limited, and Arabic and French continue to dominate public life. The exclusion of Tamazight from Morocco’s early language policies highlights the historical marginalization of the Amazigh population, whose language rights were often sacrificed in the pursuit of nationalist linguistic unity.
The Amazigh population, which constitutes a significant portion of Morocco’s demographic, has also historically been marginalized in language policies. During the French Protectorate, colonial administrators allowed Amazigh tribes to retain customary law, a move perceived by Arab nationalists as an attempt to “divide and rule.” This historical tension continued post-independence, as Arabization policies largely ignored Amazigh linguistic and cultural identity.
In recent years, however, Amazigh activism has gained momentum, advocating for greater recognition of Tamazight in education, administration, and public life. Activists argue that reclaiming Tamazight is not only about cultural preservation but also about resisting the dominance of both colonial and post-colonial linguistic hierarchies. While some progress has been made, with Tamazight now included in school curricula, its implementation remains inconsistent, and Arabic and French continue to overshadow Morocco’s indigenous linguistic heritage.
While French remains dominant in Morocco, its prestige is declining among younger generations, who increasingly favor English. The 2021 survey found that 65% of Moroccans aged 15-25 view English as important, compared to only 47% for French (Elkins, 2022). English is perceived as a global language that offers greater access to opportunities in science, technology, and international markets, whereas French is increasingly seen as a relic of Morocco’s colonial past and a symbol of elitism.
Similar trends have emerged in neighboring Algeria, where the government has introduced English in primary schools to counterbalance French influence. For many Moroccan youth, embracing English represents both a practical choice and a symbolic rejection of French soft power.
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