What Languages are Spoken in Morocco?
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What languages are spoken in Morocco?
Morocco is characterized as being one of the most diverse environments in the greater Arabic speaking regions. The main languages spoken are Modern Standard Arabic, Darija (Moroccan Arabic), the many different Berber languages, French, Spanish and English. The land of Morocco has been ruled and occupied by different African, Arab, and European powers; due to this, several languages are spoken in the country.
What are the official languages?
The two official languages spoken are Modern Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber.
Where are certain languages spoken?
Modern Standard Arabic is taught in schools, and is used the most in newspapers, books, mosques and administrative or government offices. However, Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is the language spoken more in the streets and at home. It's spoken the most in Casablanca, Rabat and Fez.
There are three main Berber languages; Riffian, Tashelhit and Central Morocco Tamazight. Riffian is spoken in the Rif northern part of the country, where as Tashelhit is spoken in Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz and Tadla-Azilal regions, as well as the whole of the Souss-Massa-Drâa region. Central Morocco Tamazight is used in the regions of High and Middle Atlas. There are many other smaller Berber languages spoken throughout Morocco.
Spanish is spoken in Morocco mostly around the northern regions, such as Tetouan and Tangier.
French on the other hand, is spoken mainly on the western side of the country, including cities like Casablanca and Rabat.
Major Moroccan cities will usually speak English, such as Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca, Tangier and more.
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