Culture: Language
The main official language of Morocco is Arabic, and most educated people also speak French. English-speaking is becoming more common.
However, most mountain and desert regions are populated by the Berber people. Most men speak Arabic and some speak a little French. English is less common, but you can usually find an English-speaking guide without a problem.
Local women usually only speak Berber, but they are great communicators with other women who can’t speak it! Moroccan women are very reserved towards men outside of their family.
If you can manage a few words in Tamazight, it is much appreciated:
- Thank you = Sahar (to a man), Sahid (to a woman)
- Thank you very much = Sahar/sahid behera
- Hallo = Salaam aleikum (‘peace be with you’)
- How are you? = Labas? Beher? Te hena?
- I am fine = Labas, hamdullah
- Everything is/was lovely = Culchi beher
- Goodbye = Bislaama