In light of the profound changes that followed colonization, the topic of “spiritual colonization” and the cultural impacts left by European colonization, especially in Arab-African relations, emerges as a rich source for discussion. This article discusses how French colonialism, which dominated many African countries for decades, led to an increasing resistance to its cultural legacy through the return of countries to their linguistic and cultural roots. The article examines how France sought to combat the Arabic language and Islamic culture, and how these policies impacted identity and language over the decades. In this historical account, we will explore the various dimensions of the struggle for the Arabic language, revealing the linguistic and political dynamics that formed at the heart of Africa after the colonial period.
The History of European Colonization and Its Impact on Cultural Identity
After the end of World War II, colonial regimes began to collapse, leading to the independence of many countries in Asia and Africa. These countries sought to achieve the principle of self-determination outlined in the United Nations Charter of 1945, as well as the declaration made by the United Nations in 1960. However, the long decades of reliance on European powers and their policies significantly affected the fate of African and Asian peoples, undermining historical processes that existed prior to the colonial era.
This influence was clearly manifested in the Arab-African relations that flourished during the Middle Ages. In the seventh century AD, the Arabic language, culture, and traditions began to spread across the African continent following the rise of Islam. However, the European colonial expansion, particularly by France in the nineteenth century, imposed great challenges on these historical relationships. France sought to eradicate Islamic culture and the Arabic language from social and academic life, replacing them with the French language, which led to a clear cultural and social fragmentation.
The French War Against the Arabic Language
The French colonization employed harsh policies towards the Arabic language, as France viewed the language as a representation of cultural identity, and thus it was essential to eradicate it to enforce colonial dominance. French Colonel Paul Martin, an expert in the Arabic language, wrote in his 1927 book “Morocco Tomorrow,” calling for a fight against any attempt to teach Arabic or any intervention by Muslim scholars. He believed that education in Arabic would hinder attracting children to French schools, hence there was no place for the Arabic language in the colonial educational system.
These policies demonstrate how France aimed to remove the remnants of Arab culture from the minds of individuals in the countries it occupied. While France worked to compulsorily promote education in French, communication in any language other than French was prohibited in the occupied territories, reflecting the colonial tendency to maintain control.
The Spread of the Arabic Language in Africa
The Arabic language has deep roots in Africa, with Egypt being the first African country to adopt Arabic during the Fatimid rule in the tenth and eleventh centuries. Arab and Islamic cultures spread through trade networks and migrations, leading to the expansion of Islam and its cultural influence across large parts of the continent.
Although some areas, such as Ethiopia, maintained their Christian faith, the rest of the East African coasts were more receptive to Arab culture. Regions like Zanzibar and Kilwa became important commercial centers. The Swahili culture thrived along the African coasts as a result of continuous interaction with Arabs. The gradual spread of the Arabic language in these cultures is reflected in its influence on many local dialects.
Francophonie as a Tool of Domination
The Francophonie organization was established in 1970, comprising more than 50 French-speaking countries, including former French colonies. Francophonie refers to the idea of using language as a means of cultural domination, where membership in the organization is associated with historical and cultural ties to France, not necessarily with the number of French speakers in the country. This policy represents a secondary form of cultural domination, where local languages, especially the Arabic language, have been neglected.
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The Francophonie has faced severe criticism, as it is viewed as a tool for enhancing colonialism and racism. Despite the cultural nature that the Francophonie promotes, the reality demonstrates how French politics bolster the power of the French language at the expense of ancient cultural languages, such as Arabic.
Language Regulation and Its Impact on Education
French education policies have contributed to the creation of a new generation of leaders who work in favor of French interests, as students were taught to think and act as French individuals. The most suitable individuals among the graduates were selected for leadership positions in their countries. Empowering the French language and marginalizing the Arabic language was part of this scenario, as Arabic was considered a cultural impetus that needed to be eradicated.
These policies were supported by many laws and practices; education was used as a means of true cultural enslavement. The repercussions of these policies are still evident today, as education in the French language is promoted in higher education institutions in countries such as Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon, leading to a decrease in the use of Arabic in cultural and educational circles.
Colonial Language Policy and Its Impact on the Arabic Language
The colonial language policy is one of the most important dimensions that shaped linguistic and cultural identity in many African countries. This policy involves replacing the Arabic alphabet with the Latin alphabet. The Arabic alphabet was widely used in many African languages, including Amazigh, Harari, Hausa, Fulani, Mandinka, Wolof, and Swahili, but French and British colonialism worked to eliminate Arabic writing. In the 1930s, books were published in Hausa, Swahili, and other major languages in West and East Africa using the Latin alphabet, representing a radical change in cultural and linguistic identity.
Efforts began in the 19th century to unify the use of the Latin alphabet in African languages, with models emerging such as the standard alphabet by Lipsius, which was developed to transcribe Egyptian hieroglyphs later. During the 1920s and 1930s, the International African Alphabet was developed to enhance the role of African languages in national and cultural identity. UNESCO organized a series of meetings on this topic, for example, in Bamako in 1966, and in Niamey in 1978, where the reference African alphabet was developed.
However, these changes were not driven by the desires of local populations, but were imposed by the colonial powers that sought to enhance cultural and linguistic dominance over African communities, leading to the suppression of Arabic and Islamic identity in those communities.
Arabic as a Language of Resistance to Colonialism
Arabic is considered a symbol of resistance against French colonialism. One of the most notorious strategies used by French colonialism was the closure of Islamic educational institutions that taught the Quran and Sharia. The French imposed a European educational system on Islamic communities, provoking strong opposition from local communities. Sharia prohibited the use of any language other than Arabic during worship and Quranic reading, deepening the gap between the cultures of the colonizers and the colonized.
In 1911, William Ponty, the French governor-general of West African colonies, issued a decree banning the use of Arabic in Islamic courts, in addition to prohibiting the publication of Islamic literature. These laws highlighted the French efforts to suppress the Arabic language, as the linguistic and cultural rights of Islamic communities were confiscated. Also, in Algeria, the French government imposed strict restrictions on Arabic language education and prohibited its use in many fields.
The negative effects of these policies extend to various segments of society, as education that includes the French language was encouraged, isolating Arabic as an official language. These restrictions were part of France’s strategy to suppress Arabic and Islamic identity as a means to weaken the morale of colonized communities.
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Post-Colonialism and Its Impact on African Countries
The French language maintains a prestigious position in Francophone African countries, where it is the fifth most spoken language globally, with over 321 million speakers. The majority of speakers reside in African countries where French is an official language in more than 20 nations. France relies on various tools to enhance its cultural and economic influence in Africa, including media, television, and radio programs specifically addressing African issues, but often aiming to promote French interests.
Over the years, French companies have dominated vital sectors of the African economy, such as water, energy, telecommunications, and transportation. In Ivory Coast, for example, French companies control all essential services, which also applies to trade, construction, and agriculture. This control reinforces France’s political and economic influence over these countries, making full independence from French dominance challenging.
Despite this dominance, many African countries are noticing signs of a decline in French political influence. Some countries, like Mali and Burkina Faso, have taken practical steps to abandon French as an official language, granting other national languages the right to be considered official. This development reflects the desire of these nations to reclaim their cultural and linguistic identity and may serve as preparation for new phases of reform and cooperation among African countries.
Post-Colonialism and the Reconfiguration of Linguistic Identity in Africa
Recently, new lights have emerged on the measures taken by some African countries to relinquish French cultural influence, as the past few years have witnessed bold steps, including the abolition of French as an official language, particularly following periods of political coups in the Sahel region. Political, social, and economic conditions are pushing these countries to reevaluate their linguistic identity and cultural orientations.
For instance, in the Maghreb, public attitudes towards the French language have changed, with a gradual decline in reliance on this language across various fields, despite its continued presence in education and commerce. Algeria has become a prominent voice in combating French dominance, reflecting ongoing discussions about cultural identity and the language of the people.
Additionally, other countries have reported the emergence of new strategies to strengthen national identity by adopting national languages. In Mali, Arabic and 12 other national languages are officially recognized as alternatives to French, highlighting the population’s desire to reclaim linguistic and cultural heritage and distance themselves from colonial languages.
These new cultural dynamics are critically important, not only for identity purposes but also for achieving regional cooperation and communication among African countries. These developments affirm that language is not merely a means of communication but a vital element in enhancing the identity and cultural history of peoples.
Source link: https://www.rt.com/africa/605174-france-arabic-language-africa/
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