Language
The majority of Algerians speak Arabic, the country’s official language. This Middle Eastern tongue spread slowly through the region after the Arab conquest and was closely tied to the conversion of Algerians to the Islamic religion. Classical Arabic gradually became an international language of scholars, scientists, and writers living throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Two forms of modern Arabic – literary Arabic and dialectical (conversational) Arabic - are in use in modern Algeria. A simpler version of classical Arabic, literary Arabic is used in newspapers, in many books, and in political speeches. Dialectical Arabic is the everyday language spoken by Algerians. Many Algerians, and all of the country’s European people, can read and speak French. Algerians in business and government often use French to communicate and negotiate. Some newspapers are written in French, but since independence Arabic has replaced French as the language of the courts and schools. Over the centuries, many words have been exchanged between the Arabic and Berber languages. A number of Berber dialects, including Kabyle and Chaouia, have survived in rural areas where Berber-speakers remain the majority population. In addition, the Tuareg and Mzab peoples speak their own version of the Berber language. Some Berbers also use a distinctive alphabet for written records and for official documents.