What Do Tunisians Really Speak? Understanding the Language Landscape for First-Time Students
For many international students arriving in Tunis for the first time, one of the most common—and pressing—questions is: “What language do Tunisians speak in daily life?” As they prepare to immerse themselves in Arabic studies, particularly Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), they are often surprised to hear conversations around them that sound quite different from what they have studied in textbooks. This can be both confusing and fascinating.
In reality, Tunisians navigate a rich and layered linguistic environment that reflects their history, identity, and social structure. While MSA is the official language of the country, everyday spoken language is a blend of Tunisian Arabic (colloquial dialect), French, and, occasionally, bits of English, Italian, or Berber—depending on the region and context.
This article aims to explain the reasons behind this unique linguistic mix, where and when each language is used, and how students can navigate it while studying Arabic in Tunisia.
1. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) : The Language of Formality and Education
Modern Standard Arabic, known in Arabic as al-fuṣḥā, is the language of :
• Education (especially in Arabic-medium schools)
• Media and journalism
• Religious sermons
• Government and legal institutions
• Literature and formal communication
Foreign students studying Arabic often begin with MSA because it is the standardised form taught throughout the Arab world. It serves as a linguistic bridge across national borders, allowing Arabic speakers from different countries to understand each other in writing and formal speech.
However, MSA is not the spoken mother tongue of Tunisians. Most native speakers do not use it in daily conversations. For students, this creates a unique challenge : the language they are learning is not what they hear in the streets, cafés, or markets.
2. Tunisian Dialect (Derja): The Language of Everyday Life
The real language of day-to-day interaction in Tunisia is Tunisian Arabic, locally known as Derja. This colloquial dialect is rich, expressive, and full of personality. It is passed down informally at home and within the communities, and it is the primary means of oral communication among Tunisians.
Some defining characteristics of Tunisian Derja include:
• A heavy influence from French, Italian, Berber, Spanish, and even Turkish, due to Tunisia’s diverse colonial and trade history.
• Different grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary from MSA.
• Use of French or other foreign terms inserted directly into Arabic sentences.
For example:
• « Nheb naʿmil réservation » — “I want to make a reservation”
• « Chouf l-ordinateur » — “Look at the computer”
While Derja is mutually intelligible with other North African dialects to some extent, it can be challenging for Arabic learners familiar only with MSA. Many students experience some kind of “language shock” when they find their classroom Arabic is rarely used in shops, taxis, or casual encounters.
3. French : The Language of Prestige, Education, and Urban Spaces
Tunisia was a French protectorate from 1881 until its independence in 1956. As a result, French has retained a strong cultural and educational presence, especially in urban and upper-middle-class contexts. Although it is not an official language, it is widely used in :
• Higher education (especially sciences, medicine, and engineering)
• Business and government administration
• Luxury sectors (fashion, tourism, marketing)
• Upscale cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers
In wealthier areas of Tunis like La Marsa, El Menzah, and Berges du Lac, students will hear more code-switching between French and Derja, particularly among educated Tunisians and young professionals.
A typical conversation in these areas might sound like this:
« Ah, aujourd’hui j’ai un rendez-vous avec le docteur, après je vais faire les courses à Carrefour. »
In such places, speaking French can signal education, sophistication, or modernity. It is common in business meetings, luxury services, and social circles where French is almost considered a second native language.
4. Why French and Derja Dominate in Different Regions
The use of language in Tunisia is closely tied to socioeconomic factors and regional identity:
• Rural and interior regions (like Kasserine, Kef, or Gafsa) rely almost exclusively on Tunisian dialect, sometimes even more conservative or influenced by Berber heritage. Here, French is far less common, and people often speak in a strong local accent.
• Urban middle-class areas (in cities like Sousse, Sfax, or Tunis) show a more balanced mix, using both Derja and occasional French in work, media, and education.
• Elite and luxury zones, especially in the northern suburbs of Tunis (such as La Marsa, Gammarth, and Carthage), are dominated by a French-Derja hybrid. Young Tunisians in these neighborhoods may switch languages effortlessly mid-sentence and use French as a marker of class or cosmopolitan identity.
In short, the richer or more globally connected the area, the more likely you are to hear French mixed into daily speech.
5. Implications for Foreign Students
For students learning Arabic in Tunisia, this layered linguistic environment can be overwhelming at first, but it also offers a unique opportunity to become multi-lingually competent and culturally attuned.
Here are a few insights and tips:
• Learn MSA first if your goal is academic, religious, or pan-Arab communication. MSA is the foundation and gives access to formal language across the Arab world.
• Start listening to Derja early: Watch Tunisian TV shows, YouTube channels, or listen to street conversations. This will help bridge the gap between what you learn in class and what you hear in real life.
• Don’t ignore French : Even if you don’t intend to learn it fully, understanding basic phrases and vocabulary can help tremendously in urban and professional settings.
• Expect code-switching: In many contexts, Tunisians don’t stick to one language. They mix MSA, Derja, and French fluidly based on the situation.
• Practice situational language: In the market, learn basic Derja phrases. In formal or university settings, use MSA. At a high-end café, be prepared for French greetings or menus.
6. A Living Example of Multilingual Identity
Tunisia’s linguistic environment reflects its identity as a Mediterranean, African, and Arab country with deep cultural layers. The coexistence of different languages isn’t a problem—it’s a feature of the national character.
Each language carries a different social role:
• MSA = authority, education, religion, and tradition
• Derja = family, culture, and daily life
• French = modernity, global connection, and class
By understanding these dynamics, foreign students can approach their language learning with realism, curiosity, and respect.
Conclusion
When students ask, « What do Tunisians really speak? » the answer is not simple. Tunisians live in a trilingual reality shaped by history, class, and geography. From the souks of the Medina to the seaside cafés of La Marsa, language use changes not only from person to person but from neighborhood to neighborhood.
This unique blend of Tunisian Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and French makes Tunisia an exciting, complex, and deeply rewarding place to learn Arabic. For the foreign student, navigating these layers is not just about mastering grammar or vocabulary—it is about unveiling the soul of Tunisia itself.
Written by WISSEM HACHICHA
