amazigh امازيغ
Algerian Darja · noun
“amazigh” (امازيغ) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning Amazigh, Berber (people).
Meanings
- Amazigh, Berber (people)
- Amazigh (identity)
Usage
Amazigh refers to the Berber-speaking populations of North Africa and, more broadly, to the Berber identity claimed by many Algerians. In darja, people say "ana amazighi" (I am Amazigh) and call the language tamazight. Imazighen is the original Berber plural, also used. The word often appears in debates about identity, in contrast with "3rab" (Arabs). The term "barbar" also exists but can be seen as less respectful. Amazigh is written with a capital letter when referring to the people.
Example
حنا كامل أمازيغ في الأصل
hna kamel amazigh fel asl
“We are all Amazigh originally.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “amazigh” but also “amazir”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.