English Versus French: Language Rivalry in Tunisia

[Harold Schiffman]

English Versus French: Language Rivalry in Tunisia
John Battenburg
1 Fulbright, USIS-Tunis, State Department, Washington D.C. 20521-6360, USA

ABSTRACT
The Maghreb (Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco) has long been thought of
as a francophone bastion. Even after independence in the 1950s and
early 1960s, countries in this region continued to use French as a
tool for modernization and development. Along with progress in
Arabization, however, today English is emerging as another linguistic
option. This article considers the competition between English and
French in Tunisian educational institutions and programs. Two periods
are examined in post-protectorate Tunisia: the introduction of English
(1956–80) and the spread of English (1980–present). Recent
developments in Tunisia in English language policy and planning
suggest that the decline in French linguistic influence may be
accompanied by a future decrease in French political and economic
status.

- http://theworldwidedeclineoffrench.blogspot.com/2008/10/english-versus-french-language-rivalry.html
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