What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore the new uses of rajel and rojola in Moroccan Arabic and their implications for masculinity and gender identity.

April 10, 2026

Beyond binary? New uses of rajel and rojola in Morocco

Key Points

The aim is to explore the new uses of rajel and rojola in Moroccan Arabic and their implications for masculinity and gender identity.
Cultural anthropology analysis of language practices
Examination of shifts in meanings among young people
Focus on non-binary language within the LGBTQI+ movement
Identifies a new vision of masculinity in Moroccan Arabic culture
Highlights changing language practices among youth
Demonstrates the influence of the LGBTQI+ movement on gender terms

Abstract

This paper revisits the recent developments in usage of the noun rajel ‘man’ and the corresponding verbal noun, rojola, ‘masculinity, manlihood’ in Moroccan Arabic. In the field of cultural anthropology and Men’s Studies, it analyzes a new vision of masculinity, playing with gender boundaries, and on the sociolinguistic side, it examines the shifts in meaning in young people’s language practices, with an insight into non-binary language in the emerging LGBTQI+ movement.

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Discussion

Authors

D. CAUBET

Journals

Journal of Arabic Sociolinguistics

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Institutions

Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales

References and Citations

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Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Beyond binary? New uses of rajel and rojola in Morocco

Key Points

Abstract

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Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

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