History of grammatical exemplification in the teaching of Moroccan Arabic to Spaniards (1872-1911)

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore the history of teaching Moroccan Arabic in Spain by examining a subject that is increasingly drawing the attention of experts in linguistic historiography: exemplification, particularly grammatical exemplification. Since many of the earliest grammars of Dāriŷa were produced in a colonial context and aimed at teaching foreigners, it is fitting to analyze grammatical exemplification starting with Lerchundi’s grammar, that is regarded as the foundation of Moroccan Arabic studies in Spain, at least in a continuous sense, up until 1911—a year prior to the establishment of the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco. From that point onward, interest in the study of the neighboring country's linguistic variety grew, as did the number of manuals dedicated to this language or variety. The purpose of this study is to shed further light on the origins of Moroccan Arabic in Spain from a perspective that is distinct yet complementary to existing research.