Arabic is the official language of Mauritania. However, the country is home to other dialects, some of which are actually part of the national language recognized by the constitution (Pulaar, Soninke, and Wolof); while others, such as Bambara, Serer, and Diola, have no official status, yet are spoken by large numbers of people.

The National Language

Arabic has been the official language of Mauritania since 1968, though no legal document has clarified which form of Arabic this refers to. In fact, in this country, at least three types of Arabic can be distinguished: Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and Hassaniya.

Classical Arabic

According to the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania dated July 20, 1991, Classical Arabic, also called Literary Arabic or Quranic Arabic, is both the official language and one of the national languages of the country. However, it is not the mother tongue of Mauritanians. Rather, it functions as a symbolic tool to express Arab-Muslim identity than as a practical means of communication. Moreover, as its alternative names suggest, this language is primarily used in Quranic education.

Modern Standard Arabic

Modern Standard Arabic, or Modern Arabic, is a variant and evolution of Classical Arabic. It is the language used in all schools. It is also the language employed in news agencies, literary production, and all administrative and legal documents. Modern Standard Arabic is therefore the true official language of Mauritania.

Hassaniya

Unlike Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic, Hassaniya—or simply Hassaniya—is a spoken language. It exists in no other written form except among those who study it scientifically. Although it has no legal status, Hassaniya is omnipresent in the daily lives of Mauritanians. It is the language used by the Moorish population at home, within families, and in popular songs. Hassaniya is not a formal language, but it is linguistically homogeneous. People from the north have no difficulty making themselves understood by people from the south, as regional differences are minimal. Beyond being the mother tongue of approximately 80% of Mauritania's population, Hassaniya is also spoken in Morocco, Mali, Algeria, and virtually all countries of North Africa. Yet remarkably, it appears in no official linguistic registry in Mauritania, despite being the country's true national language.

Other Languages Used in Mauritanian Territory

Beyond Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke, and Wolof are recognized as national languages by the Mauritanian constitution. Other languages are also used across Mauritanian territory, even though they lack official recognition: Bambara, Serer, and Diola.

The Status of French in the Mauritanian Linguistic Landscape

Until 1991, French stood alongside Arabic as an official language of Mauritania. And despite the fact that it appears in no official legal document, it managed to retain its privileges for quite some time. French even became a true competitor to Arabic, especially in education. Indeed, while Arabic represents a symbol of national unity, French became a tool of resistance for communities rejecting this unity. It is worth noting that approximately 6,000 French nationals still reside in Mauritania.