The official language of Tunisia is Modern Standard Arabic, which is used in formal settings such as government, education, media, and official documents
. However, the most commonly spoken language in daily life is Tunisian Arabic (also called Darija or Tounsi), a distinct dialect of Arabic that differs significantly from Modern Standard Arabic. Tunisian Arabic is the native vernacular for about 93% of households and incorporates vocabulary from French, Berber, Italian, Turkish, and Spanish due to Tunisia's diverse cultural history
. French also plays a major role in Tunisia as a widely spoken second language, especially in education, business, and the press. It is used extensively in secondary education and appears on street signs, menus, and official documents alongside Arabic
. Berber languages are spoken by a small minority, mainly in rural and southern areas, but their use has declined over time
. In summary:
- Official language: Modern Standard Arabic
- Most spoken native language: Tunisian Arabic (Darija)
- Widely used second language: French
- Minority languages: Berber dialects in some regions
- Other languages: English and Italian are also spoken to a lesser extent, especially among younger people and in tourism
This multilingual environment reflects Tunisia's rich historical and cultural influences.
