The Algerian Crisis Through Linguistic and Cultural Conflict: The Case of Graduating Students

In the struggle for independence from the French colonial authority in Algeria, Arabic language soon became subject of nationalist claims. Since the independence, in 1962, language policies are understood as an achievement of the country's emancipation. Arabization of the country was undertaken under the Boumediene regime (1965-1979) despite the cultural and linguistic diversity. In 1980, Berber spring protests contested the Arabization measures. The Bendejedid regime (1979-1992) was marked by a wider consideration of Berber culture, but these concessions provoked counter protests from Islamists. If Arabic has been imposed as the official and national language, today, the gap between the vitality of French and the dialects and their absence of status is a possible source of tension and instability for the regime. Based on surveys conducted since 2011, my paper will underline the contradictions of Algerian society, and examine linguistic policies and their evolution in a political and social crisis context.