Open AccessBilingualism and language attitude in Melilla (Spain)
Author(s) -
Lotfi Sayahi,
Miguel Ángel Montero Alonso
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
lengua y migración/lengua y migración
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.137
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 2660-7166
pISSN - 1889-5425
DOI - 10.37536/lym.13.1.2021.1363
Subject(s) - neuroscience of multilingualism , multiculturalism , population , variety (cybernetics) , first language , psychology , linguistics , second language , sociolinguistics , geography , sociology , ethnology , gender studies , history , demography , pedagogy , philosophy , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , computer science
This study examines levels of bilingualism and language attitude in the autonomous Spanish city of Melilla. Located on the North African coast, Melilla has a population of 86,000 inhabitants that is roughly divided between residents of Iberian origin and residents of North African Origin. Based on responses to a language questionnaire (111 participants) and sociolinguistic interviews (20 participants), our results show high levels of bilingualism between Spanish and Tamazight among the sector of the population that is of North African origin, while the population of Iberian origin remains monolingual in Spanish. We also show that Spanish is the dominant language in the public domain, including administration and education, while Tamazight is maintained as a family and community language. Overall, the participants in our study express positive attitude towards the Melillan variety of Spanish and Tamazight, and their co-existence as part of the multicultural nature of the city.