Andalusian Arabic (also known as
Andalusi Arabic,
Spanish Arabic, or
Moorish Arabic) was a
variety of the
Arabic language spoken in
Al-Andalus, the regions of the
Iberian Peninsula (modern
Spain,
Portugal,
Andorra and
Gibraltar) under Muslim rule. It became an
extinct language in Iberia after the
expulsion of the
Moriscos following the
Christian Reconquest (Reconquista), though it is still used in
Andalusi music and has significantly influenced the dialects of such towns as
Tetouan,
Fez,
Rabat,
Tangiers and
Cherchell[citation needed].
It also exerted some influence on Mozarabic, Spanish (particularly Andalusian), Catalan, Portuguese and the Moroccan Arabic dialect.
Andalusian Arabic appears to have spread rapidly and been the general oral use in most parts of Al-Andalus between the 9th and 15th centuries. It reached its highest peak of users, which can be roughly estimated at 5-7 million, during the 11th and 12th centuries. It then dwindled as a consequence of the gradual but relentless takeover by the Christians, although it remained in use in certain areas already under Christian political control until the final expulsion of the Muslims at the beginning of the 17th century.[1]In 1567, Philip II of Spain issued a royal decree in Spain which forced Moriscos to abandon using Arabic on all occasions, formal and informal, speaking and writing. Using Arabic in any sense of the word would be regarded as a crime. They were given three years to learn the language of the Christian Spanish, after which they would have to get rid of all Arabic written material.
As in every other Arabic-speaking land, the Andalusian people were diglossic i.e. spoke their local dialect in all low-register situations, but only Classical Arabic was resorted to when a high register was required and for written purposes as well.
