My topic was on Berber Language and Literature. I learned a little bit of the Berbers’ grammar, their roots, what they use their language for, the different types of dialects, Berbers in Morocco, how Berbers came to Morocco and I got to think on why is Berber language and literature so important. I thought long about it until I have found some answers.
First of all, Berber is part of a family. The Afro-Asiatic or also called, the Hamito-Semetic. There are four other branches in this family. They are ; the Egyptian, the Semetic, the Cushitic, and the Chadic. In this family, it is closer to the Semetic branch.
Then, in grammar. There is less phonology than there is homogeneity. Phonology is the way sounds are organized. Homogenity is the degree to which items are similar. 80% of vowels in nouns are the letter a. Masculine nouns begin with a vowel. Feminine nouns begin with the letter t and a vowel.
The language is used for communication ofcourse. But in Berber traditions, the language is used for storytelling and for poems.
Berbers in Morocco. Morocco is divided into two main languages. There are the Arab speakers and the Berber speakers. All Berber history and anything that needs to be communicated is transmitted orally. It is spoken, not written down or recorded. Before the Arabs have come to Morocco on the 7th and 8th century A.D, Berber was the only language spoken.
Where did the Berbers come from ? No exact answer is available. No one knows. A scientist says that it is about a Prince from Yemen. He established his kingdom there. He left and came back. When he came back, he found everyone speaking a language he just could not understand. So he exclaimed, “What is this berbera ?” Berbera is a mixter of uncomprehensible languages. This is where they got the name Berber from. I believe hat Berbers come from many different places. Jus like for South Africa and Switzerland. Many cultures have come to make one.
We should keep Berber culture because it is their culture and they care. If we take off their way of communicating, their culture will be gone because then, how will they continue their traditions, how will the children know what to do, the important stories ?
I like your presentation and I think you got a lot of information. I agree with you that the Berber language traditionally is used for poems and storytelling thats why most of the dialects are not written down. I also agree with all of your examples of where Berbers came from because I read all of those examples in a book.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: The Tifinagh language is the only written one, why didn't they write down any of the other dialects?
Yeline, i agree with you, you said that we should keep Berber Language and Literature because it identifies them, it is part of who they are, and it belongs only to them.I thought it was nice that you taught us a couple of words in Berber and you also opened our minds to think farther than our little world in Rabat.
ReplyDeleteYou also said that the Tifinagh was the only written Berber dialect, why do you think that its the only written one? And how many other Berber dialects are there?
Great job!! I liked the fact that you said that it identifies them. I found your presentation rich with informations.
ReplyDeleteQ: How many berber dialect are there?
I like how you told us about the Prince of Yemen to explain to us where the name Berber came from. I would have like to learn more about the Hamito-Semetic family, and how Berbers come from them.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Where do the people from the Cushitic and Chadic branch live?
Hi. I definately agree with you when you say that we should keep Berber language because it is the only way that they have to communicate and it wouldn't be a good idea to remove it from them. I also have a question to ask you: About how many dialects do the Berbers have?
ReplyDeleteI liked how you made your presintation interactive, with how to pronouce Berber words.
ReplyDeleteQs. Do you beleive that aribs should be taught Berber, to help preserve it, or not? Why?
I liked how you showed us some Berber words during your presentation it sounds a little like Moroccan Arabic.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that the Berbers made their own language or do you think that they developed it from their invaders?
You did an amazing job. I had no idea about berber language and literature now I do thankyou. How many languages are there?
ReplyDeleteAhmed, The Berber language is fun to learn about how they pronounce their words and only some language is written. I also liked that you interviewed someone you didn't know.
ReplyDeleteQ: In your opinion why do you think the language are not written?
Zainab, I enjoyed your presentation Yeline. It was interesting and funny at the same time. I like the idea of teaching us some berber words and numbers. Unfortunately we couldn't see your video : I would love to see it.
ReplyDeleteQuestion : Was the berber language influenced by the language of some of the invading groups ?