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 ?
