Thats’s a great question and essentially the issue I was alluding to in the post. I almost added a paranthetical statement about it, but decided against it because I didn’t think anyone read my Watson application closely enough to point it out- haha I was wrong. Anyway, its very interesting.

I don’t know if there is a “correct” way to identify people. According to scholars and academics that study the “Arab nation,” an Arab is one defined as a person whose first language is Arabic. In my experience amongst Jews in Casablanca I have met more families whose first language is French, but some whose first language is Arabic. Many children here also only speak enough Moroccan Arabic to get by, but not at all fluently (I see this as indicative of their schools’ curriculum and Jewish families’ tendencies to socialize amongst themelves.) Regardless of what the family speaks, however, the Jewish people identify themselves as Jewish and the Muslims as Arabs.
I am still trying to figure out what exactly determines the language of preference for a family. My hypothesis is that it is related to class, and those Jews assimilated into the upper class by the French during their colonial rule here maintain this language, particularly as a marker of class distinction. Furthermore, I assume that the prevalence of French over Arabic amongst Jews remaining in Morocco could probably be attributed to the fact that the Jewish “lower classes” emigrated from Morocco beginning in the 1950s, in search of better economic opportunities. According to my interviews, the Jews who have remained here, by in large, have economic stakes in the country (probably forged from their placement in the French upper class pre-Moroccan independence) and did not want to give up their comfortable and affluent lifestyles.

I hope that answers your question. Also, please remember that it is difficult to PROVE any of this, and I answered according to my interviews, observations and knowledge on the history of the community.

Ceci

Hope that you’re enjoying that unexpected homestay! What’s the place like? Any pictures?

One thing that’s bugging me since reading your statements is what your professor said about “Oh so you’re an Arab, too.” Do the Moroccan Jews and Muslims see that perspective? Is your professor right or wrong? Just curious and something to ask around when you do your interviews… good luck, stick it out with your Arabic!