Zenet, an Endangered Language Variety in Southern Algeria

Abstract

In the Tuat, southern Algeria, Arabic is the major language variety; whereas, Zenet is a minor dialect neither taught at school nor promoted at the societal level. The objective of the present paper is to give a glimpse about the sociolinguistic changes that are underway in the Tuat, such as the actual position of Zenet at the institutional and societal levels, through objective measurements such as the national census, the school, and the radio programs. The paper focuses on the recent developments underwent by Zenet at the Radio of Adrar since 2006. This variety of Tamazight is witnessing an evolution in the program schedules and frequencies of broadcast, but no noticeable changes on the educational and the social levels. Hence, Zenet may be considered as an endangered language variety, since it does not receive governmental and institutional supports nor any local encouragement and promotion.