Language Research

Updated (July 2007)

NEW GOVERNMENTAL BODIES ESTABLISHED TO IMPROVE THE STATUS OF TAMAZIGHT LANGUAGE

Algeria's Government Council has recently approved the founding of the Academy and the Higher Council of the Tamazight Language. The Academy will be in charge of matters related to the standardization of Tamazight whilst the Higher Council¹ will have a more political role – its aim will be to introduce the language into public administration, justice system, professional training and other areas of institutional life.

The Tamazight language received recognition as a national language to be used in dealings with Algerian institutional authorities through the application of Article 3 of the Algerian Constitution, amended in 2002.

It was granted recognition as a national language following a year of demonstrations in the region of Kabylie and a number of incidents in Algeria between 2001 and 2002. The groups that have worked for the recognition of the language eventually obtained an amendment to the Constitution, giving rise to the creation of the two aforementioned bodies. It should be noted, however, that status of “national language” is not the same as that of “official language”. Therefore, efforts made to achieve full recognition of Tamazight as an official language are continuing.

Source: Linguamón, News, July 13, 2007 http://www10.gencat.net/pres_casa_llengues/AppJava/frontend/noticies_detall.jsp?id=134&idioma=5

1. The new Council will comprise thirteen members from different government ministries as well as university lecturers and researchers selected by the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

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