Development of the Algerian Sociolinguistic Landscape: Preliminary Observations

Abstract

The prime goal of the present paper is to focus upon actual sociolinguistic profile in Algeria as both a diglossic and multilingual speech community. Thus, this social context has shown an extremely complex matrix of languages and dialects and their unstable functional roles in connection to situational language use. To cope with this scope we relied upon our observation in formal educational settings and other informal ones. Thus, our findings reveal a progress of the Algrian sociolinguistic profile owing to the multidimensional configuration of, first; language use which constitute of standard language systems that are Arabic, Tamazight, and French. In addition to, dialects or non- standard language varieties: Algerian Arabic and Algerian Berber. Second, by the unstable role of H/ L varieties and the widespread of monolingualism and the disappearance of loanwords in youth’s language use as an indicator of language change in progress. Eventually, we can discern these preliminary findings to raise our awareness not only about the authentic status of languages, but about the future of languages and dialects in Algeria.