Algerian Association for Defending Arabic condemns Ayrault’s remarks

The Algerian Association for Defending Arabic criticized the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault’s remarks on his visit to Algeria last week. Speaking about francophony, he repeatedly said the French language is an Algerian booty.

“Mr. Jean-Marc Ayrault, France’s Prime Minister came to Algeria and repeatedly said it is the second French-speaking country in the world. He thought he was clever when he said the French language is Algerian war booty,” said a release issued by the association.

“All it seems that he was encouraged by Algerian official’s positive reaction in the country which was liberated by martyrs. This comes as local authorities continue its hostility to Arabic’s constitutional state,” it added.

The association chaired by Dr. Ottmane Saadi held the Algerian authorities responsible for the French language’s dominance in official discourses and administration.

“Mr. Jean-Marc Ayrault was received in Algeria by a huge chart on which it was written in French: Join Committee Meeting. Ministers talked to him in French. Signed agreements were in French while the Algerian Constitutions stipulates that the official language is Arabic. This situation encouraged the French minister to advise the Algerian government to rely on francophony minister Yamina Ben Kaki to promote this common heritage. Algerian officials did not react to the French prime minister’s instruction,” said the association.

It raises question about the Algerian officials’ pride of not speaking Arabic, saying that they are behind this situation as they talk to people in French. “Is there any respectable country which appoints persons who do not speak national language in senior positions? How can’t we be sad when we see the national TV channel and other satellite channels using French in Arabic-speaking programs?”

The association believes that there is a plan to marginalize Arabic and open door to francophony dominance.