A Basic Course in Moroccan Arabic


Book Description

This text teaches the basic structure of Moroccan Arabic through Lessons and Dialogues. The four-part lessons include phrase and sentence texts, grammatical notes, exercises, and vocabulary.







Multilingualism, Cultural Identity, and Education in Morocco


Book Description

In this book, I attempt to show how colonial and postcolonial political forces have endeavoured to reconstruct the national identity of Morocco, on the basis of cultural representations and ideological constructions closely related to nationalist and ethnolinguistic trends. I discuss how the issue of language is at the centre of the current cultural and political debates in Morocco. The present book is an investigation of the ramifications of multilingualism for language choice patterns and attitudes among Moroccans. More importantly, the book assesses the roles played by linguistic and cultural factors in the development and evolution of Moroccan society. It also focuses on the impact of multilingualism on cultural authenticity and national identity. Having been involved in research on language and culture for many years, I am particularly interested in linguistic and cultural assimilation or alienation, and under what conditions it takes place, especially today that more and more Moroccans speak French and are influenced by Western social behaviour more than ever before. In the process, I provide the reader with an updated description of the different facets of language use, language maintenance and shift, and language attitudes, focusing on the linguistic situation whose analysis is often blurred by emotional reactions, ideological discourses, political biases, simplistic assessments, and ethnolinguistic identities.




Culture and Customs of Morocco


Book Description

Moroccan culture today is a blend of Berber, African, Arab, Jewish, and European influences in an Islamic state. Morocco's strategic position at the tip of North Africa just below Spain has brought these cultures together through the centuries. The parallels with African and Middle Eastern countries and other Muslim cultures are drawn as the major topics are discussed, yet the uniqueness of Moroccan traditions, particularly those of the indigenous Berbers, stand out. The narrative emphasizes the evolving nature of the storied subcultures. With more exposure to Western-style education and pop culture, the younger generations are gradually turning away from the strict religious observances of their elders. General readers finally have a substantive resource for information on a country most known in the United States for the Humphrey Bogart classic Casablanca, images of the souks (markets), hashish, and Berber rugs. The strong introduction surveys the people, land, government, economy, educational system, and history. Most weight is given to modern history, with French colonial rule ending in 1956 and a succession of monarchs since then. The discussion of religion and worldview illuminates the Islamic base and Jewish communities but is also notable for the discussion of Berber beliefs in spirits. In the Literature and Media chapter, the oral culture of the Berbers and the new preference for Western-style education and use of French and even English are highlights. The Moroccans are renowned as skilled artisans, and their products are enumerated in the Art and Architecture/Housing chapter, along with the intriguing descriptions of casbahs and old quarters in the major cities. Moroccans are hospitable and family oriented, which is reflected in descriptions of their cuisine and social customs. Moroccan women seem to be somewhat freer than others in Muslim countries but the chapter on Gender Roles, Marriage, and Family shows that much progress is still needed. Ceremonies and celebrations are important cultural markers that bring communities together, and a wealth of religious, national, and family rites of passage, with accompanying music and dance, round out the cultural coverage.




Diglossia and Language Contact


Book Description

This volume provides a detailed analysis of language contact in North Africa and explores the historical presence of the languages used in the region, including the different varieties of Arabic and Berber as well as European languages. Using a wide range of data sets, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms of language contact under classical diglossia and societal bilingualism, examining multiple cases of oral and written code-switching. It also describes contact-induced lexical and structural change in such situations and discusses the possible appearance of new varieties within the context of diglossia. Examples from past diglossic situations are examined, including the situation in Muslim Spain and the Maltese Islands. An analysis of the current situation of Arabic vernaculars, not only in the Maghreb but also in other Arabic-speaking areas, is also presented. This book will appeal to anyone interested in language contact, the Arabic language, and North Africa.




Moroccan Arabic


Book Description

Moroccan Arabic was written by a dogged student of the language (and a natural teacher) and it was edited by a native speaker and equally wonderful teacher. Finally, a straight-forward and easy to use primer for learning Moroccan Arabic - and now, new and improved in this 2nd edition. It incorporates reader suggestions and features more details on the transliteration system, additional words, new word lists, and the text has been completely revised and re-edited. Practical and witty, it's basically the equivalent of a VCR repair manual, just a bare-bones list of how to do the important things: here's the present tense, here's the future tense, etc, etc. In other words, it's a reference book with simple examples, none of the filler, and a few youthful surprises. It's just the kind of cheat-sheet everyone craves. Best of all, and unlike the others, everything is provided side-by-side in English, transliteration, and Arabic. And it uses a simple real-word transliteration system that is simply written the way things sound without the use of exotic linguistic symbols. It's the perfect book for everyone with an interest in contemporary Morocco: travelers, tourists, students, diplomats, business people, academics, artists, Peace Corp volunteers, Fulbright Scholars and student grantees, etc. Praise for Moroccan Arabic from students, scholars and travelers on both side of the Atlantic: "Fills a gaping hole in Moroccan Arabic instruction. Based on the first-hand immersion experiences of a native English-speaker who navigated Moroccan culture and language for a year... and as a researcher in Morocco myself, I found it handy." --Nabil Khan, Fulbright Student Grantee "I love the sense of humor woven throughout - it's an enjoyable read. A great example of collaboration." --Edwin Bodensiek, Dir. of Outreach and Public Relation, CIES - Fulbright, Washington, DC "A great resource. I wish had this book when I was traveling and researching in Morocco." --Dr Jennifer A Roberson, Professor of Islamic Art, Sonoma State University, California "Written by a born teacher. This book enhances effective language instruction and builds a collection of everyday conversation resources for Anglo-American students and scholars." --Dr Khalid Amine, Universite Abdelmalek Essaadi and President, ICPS - Tangier Many people contributed to making this book a reality - and by agreement of all those involved, the proceeds from the sale of this book go to support the publishing program at the International Centre for Performance Studies (ICPS) - Tangier, Morocco. Initial research for the book was conducted during a Fulbright graduate student grant. The ongoing project (encourage more people to learn Darija, provide improved study materials, and provide a funding stream for ICPS-Tangier) is sustained by the generosity of numerous all-volunteer partners - kindly lend your assistance by sending an email to [email protected]




Moroccan Noir


Book Description

Facing rising demands for human rights and the rule of law, the Moroccan state fostered new mass media and cultivated more positive images of the police, once the symbol of state repression, reinventing the relationship between citizen and state for a new era. Jonathan Smolin examines popular culture and mass media to understand the changing nature of authoritarianism in Morocco over the past two decades. Using neglected Arabic sources including crime tabloids, television movies, true-crime journalism, and police advertising, Smolin sheds new light on politics and popular culture in the Middle East and North Africa.




Casablanca


Book Description

Casablanca is the exciting debut from Moroccan chef Nargisse Benkabbou. This book features more than 80 recipes for simple and satisfying dishes such as Artichoke tagine with peas, baby potatoes & preserved lemons, Peach & ras el hanout short rib stew with garlic mash and Sweet potato & feta maakouda. Also featured are tasty western classics with a unique Moroccan twist: try your hand at Kefta & kale mac & cheese, Roasted almond & couscous stuffed poussin and Moroccan mint tea infused chocolate pots. Nargisse breathes new life into Moroccan cuisine, blending that authentic Moroccan spirit and the contemporary to create accessible recipes for the everyday.




Arabic in the City


Book Description

Filling a gap in the literature currently available on the topic, this edited collection is the first examination of the interplay between urbanization, language variation and language change in fifteen major Arab cities. The Arab world presents very different types and degrees of urbanization, from well established old capital-cities such as Cairo to new emerging capital-cities such as Amman or Nouakchott, these in turn embedded in different types of national construction. It is these urban settings which raise questions concerning the dynamics of homogenization/differentiation and the processes of standardization due to the coexistence of competing linguistic models. Topics investigated include: History of settlement The linguistic impact of migration The emergence of new urban vernaculars Dialect convergence and divergence Code-switching, youth language and new urban culture Arabic in the Diaspora Arabic among non-Arab groups. Containing a broad selection of case studies from across the Arab world and featuring contributions from leading urban sociolinguistics and dialectologists, this book presents a fresh approach to our understanding of the interaction between language, society and space. As such, the book will appeal to the linguist as well as to the social scientist in general.




Marrakesh by Design


Book Description

Moroccan design, from the tiled floors to the colored walls, sculpted ceilings, embroidered fabrics, Berber tents, fountains, gardens, and more In a world filled with beige interiors, Morocco is the perfect antidote: a refuge for addicts of saturated color, a haven for devotees of intricate pattern, a destination for admirers of striking architecture. For anyone who wants to add Morocco's spicy design mix into their own home, Maryam Montague, the personality behind the award-winning blog My Marrakesh, explains how to do so with the building blocks of Moroccan design—from the colors, patterns, and textiles to the archways, fountains, gardens, and so much more. With illustrative text and gorgeous photographs, Maryam shows how Moroccan design comes to life in real villas and riads and in her own magnificent home and guesthouse. Eager DIYers will love the ideas presented in sidebars and in how-to projects that can be applied to homes anywhere. Filled with all the richness of Morocco,Marrakesh by Design will transport readers straight to the souks and salons of this exotic city while showing them the multitude of ways to live with the enticing elements of Moroccan design.