If you are thinking about visiting Morocco, there are alternatives if you don't already speak Arabic, and don't have the time to devote to learning it. French is your best bet. Many children start learning to read and write both Arabic and French from the time they are enrolled in (paid) pre-schools at the age of 3 or 4.
Because most of Morocco was a French protectorate for about 40 years in the first half of the 20th century, French remains the language of the university and of business. If you get sick while in Morocco, you will discover that French is also the language of all things medical.
English was only introduced into the schools in 2002. So English is still a distant second to French.
If you are going to the Mediterrean coast of Morocco, that area of the country was under Spanish rule for a time. Knowing some Spanish could help you there.
You can try learning some Berber as well. Moroccan people are mostly of Berber or Berber/Arab descent. There are several major dialects, so be sure to pick the right dialect for the region in which you will be travelling.
Because most of Morocco was a French protectorate for about 40 years in the first half of the 20th century, French remains the language of the university and of business. If you get sick while in Morocco, you will discover that French is also the language of all things medical.
English was only introduced into the schools in 2002. So English is still a distant second to French.
If you are going to the Mediterrean coast of Morocco, that area of the country was under Spanish rule for a time. Knowing some Spanish could help you there.
You can try learning some Berber as well. Moroccan people are mostly of Berber or Berber/Arab descent. There are several major dialects, so be sure to pick the right dialect for the region in which you will be travelling.
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