TOK Journal Entry

Thoughts about Naming and Language

Situation: In Morocco a variety of Arabic is spoken that is called Dareeja, which
has its roots in the Arabic of the Koran, but contains many differences. Dareeja
includes many words borrowed from other languages, particularly words for
modern concepts and technology. Dareeja adapts easily to youth culture and
includes a vibrant changing slang. Dareeja is what is learned from infancyit is
the language of jokes, of a babys first words, the language spoken within the
family. But Dareeja is not a written language nor is it taught in schoolsclassical
Arabic is used in all newspapers, news reports, parliamentary reports, etc. (Note:
it could be written as all of the sounds exist in Arabic, but it isnt ever written.)
Classical Arabic is about a similar to Dareeja as Shakespearian English is to the
English we speak every day. Young Moroccans schooled from childhood in
classical Arabic cannot speak it fluentlythey can only haltingly come up with
phrases if they are required to. It feels and sounds like they are speaking a very
foreign language. Speakers of Dareeja can understand classical Arabic (because
it is written and widely disseminated), but speakers of classical Arabic do not
always understand speakers of Dareeja (because outside of North Africa it is
unknown). Dareeja and classical Arabic are not completely mutually intelligible,
which is supposedly the test for if they are the same language yet different
dialects. Despite this lack of mutual intelligibility, Dareeja is not considered by
the people who grew up speaking it a language in Morocco, the very country of
its rootsit is somewhat disparagingly called a dialect, the connotations of this
designation including non-standard or not appropriate for written or formal
discourse.
Content Questions: How could you disparagingly refer to the language of your
childhood, the language with which you speak most intimately and fluently as a
mere dialect? How could you speak dismissively of the language you know best,
the language you are most comfortable in, the language you joke in, the
language you express emotion in, the language you are your best self injust
because it is not the language of the Koran, the language of the official
government business, etc? (Side note: ironically, in Morocco, because almost no
one speaks classical Arabic, the language of business meetings and
parliamentary procedure isFrench.)
What really distinguishes a dialect from a language? Are there real distinctions or
is it just the same idea couched in words with different connotations? Is the true
difference just the acceptance of it by people with power?
Links to TOK:
My knowledge of language tells that Dareeja is a language containing a shared,
rule-governed set of symbolic sounds that are meant to communicate. Dareeja
contains all those attributes. Its vastly different lexis and lack of mutual
intelligibility with classical Arabic leads me to believe it is not just a dialect of this
other more ancient language.

My research into the terms tells me that according to Wikipedia, There is no

universally accepted criterion for distinguishing a language from a dialect. A
number of rough measures exist, sometimes leading to contradictory results. The
distinction is therefore subjective and depends on the user's frame of reference.
To me this subjectivity seems suspect and laden with connotation.
My experience of the use of these words leads me to conclude that the term
dialect is elitist, resulting in the Other-ing of any language/people so designate.
No one who speaks only Dareeja has any chance of holding an advanced position
in Moroccoyou have to at least speak French, English, or classical Arabic (the
accepted languages). What is not clear to me is why any country would do this to
its own languageis this one of the many effects of colonialism?
My understanding of emotion would lead me to hypothesize that Moroccans (a
largely Muslim population) would like to identify with classical Arabic as it is the
language of the Koran. They speak with reverence about any verses of the Koran,
and the language itself is carved into mosques. Dareeja seems to be viewed as a
corrupted version of the language of the Koran, which is revered.
Questions that arise: What is the effect of naming a thing either language or
dialect? What if any power does each term confer on the speakers? What does
it take for a language to pass from a dialect to the designation of language
(which Afrikaans didonce considered a variety of Dutch)? Is naming the act of
correctly and precisely describing something (like scientific nomenclature)? Is
naming the act of categorizing, grouping, and generalizing? If so is that grouping
and/or categorizing enlightening/helpful to our expression of new knowledge
claimsor does it blind us to subtle differences that are important? If words carry
connotations and bias, is naming synonymous with the act of conferring
acceptance or rejection? Primary Knowledge Question: What do we gain or
lose when we name a thing?
Additional Knowledge Questions: What specific functions does language
perform and what role does it play in giving shape to our ideas? What is the role
of language in creating and reinforcing social distinctionsor creating/reinforcing
hierarchical relationshipsor in conferring authority on one person over another?
To what extent might the language we use shape our ideas about ourselves?
Implications: If Dareeja were called a language would that grant it greater
respect than dialect? Although there are standard dialects, the associations we
have with the word are largely with non-standard varieties of a language. What
about the World Englishes spoken of in the world of TESOL (as they speak of
indiginized varieties of English)? The Lonely Planet publishes a guidebook for
Indian English. Indian English is currently described as a dialectis that
designation correct or are the differences such that it should be considered its
own language? Would it gain or lose respect and acceptance with a change of
designation?