Moroccan/ Algerian

[Little_Mem]

How close are the two languages ?
Are they mutually understandable ?

[amina_imen]

In Algeria, you find a few dialects. For instance the dialect of Western Algeria is different from that of the Eastern provinces. Sometimes two neighboring towns speak the same dialect with some differences.

An Algerian from West Algeria would understand Moroccan I suppose although a lot of vocabulary is different but there are similarities and the whole meaning is more or less guessed. As you move towards Central/East Algeria, it becomes more and more difficult.

Visualising North Africa, the same principle applies to Tunisian and East Algeria.

There are variations between the Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian dialects; but there are more similarities because of a common geography, history and culture.

My thoughts!!

[HeWhoDaresWins]

between Annaba and Skidka (less than 100 miles) there are very distincts differences in Accent and words used). Between annaba and Constantine (less than 150 miles)(So far we ares stillin Eastern Algeria, the differences are hugh, culturally, accents, way of life.. etc... its like another country, at least for me from Annaba going to constantine seems like this, however if i now move to Oran, i would say that somw words are very different, accents are for sure, but culturally quite similar.
This leads them to another way of groupping areas, meditereanean cities and ....not meditereanean areas..I have been to casablanca and Rabat... feels like home..
Marakech.Nooooo.. then again its not a Port

my thoughts (at this time and after some good wine my ideas are not very clear, so be gentle amina)

[amina_imen]

LOL I'm always gentle..

Interesting how you are grouping parts of Algeria (or let's say North Africa) into Mediterranean and not so Mediterranean! I never thought of it this way before.
I have many friends from Annaba, Skikda, Constantine and I must admit I understand them all now but at the start I might have found it difficult!

Now here is a problem for your theory, someone from Oran who understands Tlemcenien and Constantinois but not Annabi? (that is true by the way)

Actually it also depends on the person's linguistic abilities!

My thoughts at this time of the night!!

PS: Just realised you were talking about way of life rather than understanding the dialect, right?

[HeWhoDaresWins]

there is a clear link between tlemcen and constantine culturally speaking and as i am sure you know musically.
I am surprised you did link Oran with Tlemcen though. I know people from both and they are culturally as well as physically different.
My theory is only a beginning. Now i am sure we can group further into Algeria, other areas culturally simimlar ro Constantine and Tlemcen, etc.. but I do think there are very disctinctive areas..
Ports have their own history and in that sense makes those cities cosmopolitain from their first existence (not just influenced by the french).

Did you know that in Annaba (the town centre) in 1820 there were more Italians from Livorno, than native algerians (who at that time lived in the plains around the actual city now mostly farming and rich farming dominated by 5 families)..

ooops here i go talking about my city.. i should stop

[amina_imen]

OK your grouping is cultural now. What about a geographical grouping?

Sorry but what cultural link between Tlemcen and Constantine? Musically that would be maloof and Andalussi. I agree, quite similar (at least to my ears).

Tlemcen and Oran are quite different culturally I agree, my mum is from Tlemcen and therefore I know aaaaaaaaalllll the differences, another world! I see Sidi Bel Abbas for example closer culturally to Oran than Tlemcen, again that's not a port!

I still understand Moroccan but not Tunisian, or at least it's more difficult for me to understand Tunisian.

[HeWhoDaresWins]

The fact that you do understand some moroccans more than Tunsians is of course a fact. Most born out of proximity and used to hearing it. for Example in Annaba i grew up able to watch Tunisian TV (was so close), so by watching i got used to their lingo and accent, so its became more.. familiar. I guess its the same for you.
But a geographical Analysis would not expand beyond the immediate plains of Annaba.. This is why.
as yu leave the plains of Annaba, you can go along the coast and very soon you get into Bougie and Djidjeli and the petite kabylie with its own very strong identity. or directty onto the mountain and there yu hit constantine, and we already talked about that ( by the way your question about similarities between constantine and tlemcen extends beyond music, food is similar and also the looks, more blondes)...
So the differences between regions are maybe forced by the terrain.. and Algeria has very distincts areas.
anyway.some more thouhgts for yu... hope it make sense