Why do Morocco speak French?

In most of these countries, Arabic is the official language (as well as Berber in some of the North African states). Nonetheless, French is still widely spoken in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Lebanon because of France's colonial legacy. It is considered an educational, diplomatic, and commercial language.

Why do Moroccans speak French and not Spanish?

The use of French is a colonial legacy of the French protectorate (1912–1956). French has no officially recognized status in Morocco, but is considered a prestige language, and is often used for business, diplomacy, and government, serving as a lingua franca with non-Moroccans and non-Arabs.

How come Moroccans speak French?

France and Spain controlled Morocco in the early 1900s, and though Morocco gained independence in 1956, French remains widely spoken by Moroccans of all ages throughout much of the country. It functions as the language of government, diplomacy and business.

How did Morocco become French?

On 21 May 1911, France occupied the city of Fes at the behest of Sultan Abd al-Hafid, which led to the Agadir Crisis. On 30 March 1912, Sultan Abd al-Hafid signed the Treaty of Fes, formally ceding Moroccan sovereignty to France, transforming Morocco into a protectorate of France and sparking the 1912 Fez riots.

Was French an official language in Morocco?

Modern Standard Arabic may be the go-to language for formal situations in Morocco, but years under French rule left a lasting impression that cannot be denied. In 1912, French was introduced as the language of the government, educational institutions, and more.

Moroccans Speak French !? I Test Them 🇲🇦

Is Morocco more French or Arabic?

According to a 2012 study by the Government of Spain, 98% of Moroccans spoke Moroccan Arabic, 63% spoke French, 26% Berber, 14% spoke English, and 10% spoke Spanish.

Is Morocco French owned?

Morocco formally achieved its independence from France on March 2, 1956.

How long did France rule Morocco?

The French protectorate in Morocco, also known as French Morocco, was the period of French colonial rule in Morocco between 1912 and 1956.

Why is French still used in Morocco?

Nonetheless, French is still widely spoken in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Lebanon because of France's colonial legacy. It is considered an educational, diplomatic, and commercial language. Alongside French, English is a popular second language alternative in Lebanon.

Who colonized Morocco first?

The recorded history of Morocco begins with the Phoenician colonization of the Moroccan coast between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE, although the area was inhabited by indigenous Berbers for some two thousand years before that.

How do you say hello in Morocco?

Moroccans will say “salaam alykum” (hello) to everyone, even in large gatherings and they'll ask about your health and the wellbeing of your family and children.

Is Moroccan Arabic mixed with French?

Vocabulary and loanwords. Most vocabulary of Moroccan Arabic language is derived from Classical Arabic and Amazigh, supplemented by French and Spanish loanwords.

What do Moroccans call Morocco?

Name of Morocco

Morocco's modern official Arabic name al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyyah (المملكة المغربية) may best be translated as 'The Kingdom of the Western Place'.

What are French Moroccans called?

French-Moroccans or Franco-Moroccans or simply (French: Franco-Marocains) are French people of Moroccan descent living in France.

Why is Marrakech so popular?

Today Marrakesh is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and offers so much to the adventurous tourist - like camel rides in the desert, the impressive architecture of the city, traditional food, stunning performances and culture, and fantastic shopping in its bazaars.

Do Moroccans wear hijab?

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, and you'll find most women there dressed pretty modestly, usually wearing a hijab or other kind of headscarf.

Will English replace French in Morocco?

More than two-thirds of young Moroccans believe English is set to replace French as Morocco's primary foreign language within 5 years. 74% believe the shift to English will benefit the country's ambitions to become an international business and tourism hub.

Did Morocco lose from France?

In Tangier, many fans were philosophical about Morocco's loss to France in its World Cup semifinal: The team had still given them two weeks of utter bliss, and one defeat would not change that. “It's magical, what we lived. It was a beautiful team, a superb team,” said Anis Bouayad, 47.

Are Moroccan people Arab?

Moroccans are primarily of Arab and Berber origin as in other neighbouring countries in the Maghreb region. Arabs make up 67% of the population of Morocco, while Berbers make up 31% and Sahrawis make up 2%. Socially, there are two contrasting groups of Moroccans: those living in the cities and those in the rural areas.

Which country colonized Morocco?

Answer and Explanation: Portions of Morocco were Spanish and French protectorates by 1912. Morocco was never truly "colonized." Throughout its history, the area of Morocco had been under Roman, Berber, and Islamic rule, but as an independent nation, it never fell to the Ottoman Empire.

Was Morocco Colonized by Portugal?

Portuguese colonialism:

Morocco over a period of 354 years (from 1415 to 1769), including Mazagan and Asilah. The city of Mazagan is one example of the successes and tragedies of Portuguese rule in Morocco.

What countries colonized Morocco?

1884 - Spain creates a protectorate in coastal areas of Morocco. 1904 - France and Spain carve out zones of influence. 1906 - Algeciras Conference in Spain; France and Spain get the go-ahead to police Moroccan ports and collect customs fees.

Why is Morocco called Mar?

While the official languages of the country are Arabic and Berber, there remains a huge number of French residents in Morocco as they only gained independence from France in March 1956. The French word for Morocco is Maroc, and hence FIFA uses MAR as its official abbreviation.

Is Moroccan French different?

The main difference between French spoken in France and French spoken in Morocco is the accent. But that does not hinder a Moroccan and French person from speaking to each other.