A conference held at the international publishing book fair in Rabat on Saturday, brought together young Moroccan speakers to discuss how youths are using English in cultural and creative fields. The discussion featured Achraf Chaoui, a young writer, Driss El Maarouf, associate professor at Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, and was moderated by Soumia Idba.

The panel focused on the growing role of English among Moroccan youth, and how this language is becoming a way to connect people both locally and internationally.

Speakers shared their personal experiences with English and its impact on their work and creativity.

During the discussion, Maarouf explained that English has become “the medium through which he now expresses his thoughts”. He also spoke about the impact of English on his academic research.

For his part, Chaoui talked about the pressure many creators feel to translate their work into English to reach a wider audience. He said that being heard and seen worldwide often requires using English because of its global influence. However, he said that he does not see English “as a replacement for Arabic, but rather as a tool that allows Moroccan creators to communicate with more people around the world”.

The discussion also explored the relationship between language and identity in

Morocco, in which Chaoui said “Darija itself is made up of several linguistic layers, including English”, reflecting Morocco’s cultural diversity. Speakers agreed that languages can coexist and that Moroccan writers should preserve the richness of Arabic and Darija while also benefiting from the opportunities offered by English, such as its wide reach and greater visibility.