مجلة العلوم القانونية والاجتماعية
Volume 11, Numéro 3, Pages 320-337
2026-09-01
When Justice Doesn’t Speak Darija: Communication Issues In Algerian Courtrooms
Authors : Dendane Mohammed El Amine . Dendane Zoubir .
Abstract
This article examines the linguistic disconnect and critical communication barriers within the Algerian judicial system, in the courtrooms, where the formal language of the law confronts the daily vernacular of the citizens. While the Constitution designates Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as the official language of the court, litigants (plaintiffs, defendants and witnesses) only communicate in Algerian Arabic (Darija or some Berber variety in Berberophone areas). This sociolinguistic gap, diglossic in nature, tends to create a profound transparency deficit, a form of systemic linguistic inequality where the use of highly specialized, formal terminology often alienates defendants and witnesses, potentially compromising the right to a fair trial. Through a qualitative analysis of courtroom interactions and legal discourse, coupled with some interviews, this study investigates how this diglossic tension results in linguistic insecurity, affecting testimonial accuracy and the comprehension of legal proceedings. It highlights the judge's dual role as a legal mediator and an informal translator, bridging the gap between codified law and oral expression. The article argues that if justice fails to ‘speak’ the language of the people, the principles of legal accessibility and equity are undermined. It concludes by proposing policy recommendations, including the formal recognition of linguistic mediation and sociolinguistic training for legal professionals. Addressing these hurdles can guide the Algerian judiciary toward a more inclusive system where language serves as a bridge, rather than a barrier to justice.
Keywords
Legal discourse- diglossia - Darija- MSA- linguistic insecurity- transparency deficit.
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