Morocco: Amazigh Language Replaces French in Road Signalization

Rabat – Road signalization in Morocco is usually bilingual and contain messages in Arabic, the country’s official language, and French.

But now motorists who use the Berrechid-Beni Mellal and Khouribga motorways would notice that the road signs are also in Tifinagh, the alphabetic scripts used to write the Tamazight language in Morocco and other North African countries.

The decision to use Tifinagh on road signs is expected to be cheered by Amazigh activists in Morocco as an important triumph to their cause.

According to news outlet LesEco, the Tifinagh alphabet in the road signs has replaced the French language altogether. The same source added that the decision might cause major troubles to tourists who would consider using the said motorways to reach their destinations.

“Are tourists included in the new decision of the Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Logistics to put Tifinagh in road signs?” asked the French-speaking website.

“A decision that has been taken without consulting the Ministry of Tourism and which raises the question whether coordination between government departments is required.”

“Especially when it comes to such an important sector as tourism,” the website added.

Contacted by LesEco, Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad said that he “welcomes the initiative to have the Tifinagh on signs in addition to Arabic.”

However, the Minister added that he was “surprised that they did not take into consideration the needs of tourists and that he will alert his colleague Minister of Equipment, Transportation and Logistics, Aziz Rabbah,” about the need to use the signage in French as well.