The Effect of Language Behaviour on Identity in Algeria

Abstract

Algeria is a multilingual society and context with diverse cultural heritage. Arabic is an official language which is considered as the language of the majority. It is a symbol of Islamic affiliation. Tamazight is equally an official language; it is de facto a minority language spoken in different regions which are geographically separated by Arabophone regions. Tamazight holds the Berber identity. French has a special status. It is politically seen as a foreign language. However, it is actually strongly present to the extent that it is seen as a second language alongside Arabic. The existence of multiple languages in Algeria has resulted a kind of linguistic conflict which is sometimes explicit and others implicit. Such conflict is manifested, for example, in the individuals‟ linguistic behaviour. Competition between the three languages can be captured in, for instance, speech accommodation and code switching/mixing.