BERBER LANGUAGE
Understanding The Berber Language & Providing Professional Berber Interpreters, Translators and Transcriptionists
American Language Services (AML-Global) understands the importance of working in the Berber language. For over a Quarter of a Century, American Language Services has worked with the Berber language as well as hundreds of others from around the world. We offer comprehensive language services 24 hours, 7 days a week worldwide by providing Berber interpreting, translation and transcriptions services along with hundreds of other languages and dialects. Our linguists are native speakers and writers who are screened, credentialed, certified, field tested and experienced in a number of specific industry settings. The Berber language is unique and has very specific origins and characteristics.
Berber in Morocco and Algeria
Spoken in Morocco and Algeria, Berber is a language spoken in the northwestern parts of Africa. The area of present-day Morocco has been inhabited since Neolithic times (at least since 8000 BC, as attested by signs of the Caspian culture), a period when the Maghreb was less arid than it is today. Many theorists believe the Amazigh people, commonly referred to as Berbers or by their regional ethnic identity (e.g. Chleuh), probably arrived at roughly the same time as the inception of agriculture in the region. Berber is also spoken in the largest country of the Mediterranean Sea, Algeria. This country has a long history of conquering, being conquered, Barbary pirates, French colonization and finally independence. Morocco and Algeria have much to offer in terms of entertainment and culture. Morocco is an ethnically diverse country with a rich culture and civilization. Since independence a veritable blossoming has taken place in painting and sculpture, popular music, amateur theatre, and filmmaking. Likewise, Algeria offers a deep history of famous novelists and arts. Algerian culture has been strongly influenced by Islam, the main religion.
The Dialects of Berber
There are a few different dialects concerning Berber, Riffan spoken mainly in Morocco, Kabyle, spoken in Algeria and Chelha spoken in Tunisia. Berber identity currently is linked to the language: many of the North Africans calling themselves Arabs are more Berber in origin than Arab. Berber languages have influenced Maghrib Arabic dialects, such as Morocco Arabic or Maltese, as the substratum. They also have influenced Iberian Romance languages due to the Muslim rule of the Iberian Peninsula in the middle Ages. Their influence is also seen in some languages in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Berber Alphabet Through Time
The Berber Latin alphabet is the version of the Latin alphabet used to write Northern Berber languages. It uses 23 letters, 7 modified letters and borrows 2 letters from the Greek alphabet. Ancient Berber script disappeared after the 3rd century AD and was supplanted by the Roman alphabet and later by the Arabic alphabet with heavy influence from Greek letters.
Who are You Going to Trust with Your Vital Berber Language Needs?
The Berber language is an important language worldwide. It is vital to understand the general nature and specific idiosyncrasies of Berber. Since 1985, AML-Global has provided outstanding Berber interpreters, translators and transcriptionsts worldwide.
