Women's discourse strategies and nonverbal communication in a mountainous/rural area of northwestern Morocco (Jbala): A case study of the Ghzaoua tribe

The present study examines the ways women construct their linguistic identities in the Ghzaoua tribe, situated in the mountainous region of northwestern Morocco (Jbala). Initially, it was hypothesized that the discourse of these women would be shaped by the expectations placed upon them by patriarchal society. However, analysis of the data collected reveals that certain discursive strategies, nonverbal communication, and an apparent departure from conventional norms of propriety position these informants as independent leaders with a strong influence over others.