Tarifit

Tarifit, also called Tarifight or Tarifit Berber, is a Northern Berber language of the Afroasiatic family spoken by the Rifian people in northern Morocco. It is primarily spoken in the Rif Mountains and coastal towns of the region, including Al Hoceima, Nador, and surrounding areas, with communities in the diaspora in Europe. Estimates of the number of speakers vary; it is one of several Berber languages spoken in Morocco and continues to be transmitted in families and communities, though language shift toward Moroccan Arabic and French is occurring in urban areas.

Tarifit is classified as a Northern Berber language within the Afroasiatic family and is closely related to other Berber languages spoken in the Rif and neighboring areas. Most classifications place Tarifit in the Zenati grouping of Northern Berber, but it is distinguished as its own language with regional varieties.

Historically, Tarifit was written using the Arabic script, but in modern times it is written in both Tifinagh and Latin scripts, particularly in education, media, and diaspora materials. In Morocco, Amazigh languages received official recognition in the 2011 constitution, and Tarifit is used in some local media, cultural events, and limited educational contexts. There are regional varieties of Tarifit, with differences in pronunciation and vocabulary, but mutual intelligibility remains high for everyday communication.

In diaspora communities in Europe, Tarifit is maintained through family transmission, with community associations producing literature and media. The language continues to play a central role in Rif cultural identity and heritage.