Languages of the Rif

Darija and Rifiya are spoken in the Rif Mountains. Many other languages are also spoken.

Darija

Darija is the most widely spoken language in Morocco. Darija is the mother tongue of most Moroccans. Even most Moroccans who do not have Darija as their mother tongue are proficient in Darija.

Darija is Moroccan Arabic. That is, the dialect of Arabic used in Morocco. Darija is not particularly similar to Standard Arabic. In my view, Darija is simpler than Standard Arabic, both in terms of pronunciation and grammar.

Many of the words in Darija are the same as in Standard Arabic, but with slightly different pronunciation. Many of the words come from French, particularly words for new phenomena. Many of the words in Darija are the same as in Rifiya.

Rifiya

Rifiya is the language of the indigenous people of the Rif Mountains. Most people living in the Rif Mountains speak Rifiya as their mother tongue. If, for example, you are sitting in a café in the Rif, Rifiya is the language you will most often hear around you.

The indigenous people of Morocco are known as Amazigh (formerly known as Berbers). The language of the indigenous people is Tamazight (formerly known as Berber language). Rifiya is a dialect of Tamazight.

In Morocco, three main dialects of Tamazight are spoken. Rifiya is the dialect spoken in the Rif Mountains. The differences between the three dialects are quite significant.

More languages in the Rif Mountains

People in the Rif Mountains love European languages. In Nador, people mainly speak to me in Spanish. In Al Hoceima, people mainly speak to me in French.

Most Moroccans speak French, which is taught in schools. Many also speak English, Spanish, German or Dutch. Some speak all of these languages.

Many people in the Rif aim to settle in Europe. Many have relatives in Europe. Many were born in the Rif, live in Europe, and visit the Rif during their holidays.

Standard Arabic

The language I mainly use in the Rif Mountains is Standard Arabic. It works very well with about a third of the people I speak to. With another third, I can communicate in Standard Arabic, but with difficulty. With the remaining third, I can barely make myself understood at all.

Standard Arabic is, as the name suggests, the official form of Arabic. It is used in books and, for example, in news broadcasts. Many people in the Arab world are fluent in Standard Arabic. But Standard Arabic is not a native language.

Darija (Moroccan Arabic) is, as mentioned, a far cry from Standard Arabic. The Arabic spoken in, for example, Syria and Iraq is much more similar to Standard Arabic.

The best language

Which language should you use if you are visiting The Rif? My answer is: whichever you like.

If you’re not interested in learning new words: just use the language you know. French, Spanish, English, German or a mix. Even if, for example, you’re sitting in a café and the waiter doesn’t understand what you’re saying, and pointing and gesturing doesn’t work, someone will likely offer to translate. People in the Rif Mountains are delighted by the chance to put their knowledge of European languages into practice.

If you want to speak to the locals in the Rif Mountains in their language: learn a few words of Rifiya or Darija. If you want to eavesdrop on people’s conversations: learn Rifiya. If you want to communicate with as many people as possible: learn Darija.

As mentioned, most people in the Rif Mountains speak Rifiya as their mother tongue. The vast majority of them also speak Darija. Only a few older people know little or no Darija.

Generally speaking, therefore: People who speak Rifiya also speak Darija. But the reverse is not true. People who have moved to the Rif Mountains from other towns speak Darija, or some other dialect of Tamazight.

The most fun language

When I travel, I enjoy speaking to people in their native language. Not because it’s necessary to understand one another, but simply because it’s fun.

If I go to a café and say ‘tea please’, it doesn’t really feel like I’m abroad. If, on the other hand, I say ‘oshayi ijjen atay shukran’, it definitely feels like I’m abroad.

Languages at a glance

A brief summary of the languages of the Rif Mountains: