A Life Dedicated to Language and Identity
Born in 1952 in Aït Sidal, in the eastern Rif region of Morocco, Professor Kadi Kaddour devoted his life to the study and preservation of the Amazigh (Berber) language. Tragically, he passed away on September 15, 1995, in a car accident that shocked both his colleagues and students, as well as the wider Amazigh intellectual community.
Scholar, Linguist, and Advocate for Tamazight
At a time when Tamazight was not yet permitted in Moroccan schools or universities, Professor Kadi stood among the few scholars who courageously pursued research in Amazigh linguistics. As a professor of French and Theoretical Linguistics at the University of Fez, he inspired countless students and researchers to explore the richness of their mother tongue.
“You can learn as many languages as you want, but start first with your mother tongue.”
Through his teaching and research, he became one of the most respected academic voices advocating for the recognition and teaching of Tamazight in Morocco and beyond.
Academic Achievements and Research
Professor Kadi Kaddour published more than twenty academic papers on Tamazight, many of which were presented at international conferences. His seminal work focused on the Riffian (Tarifit) verbal system, a key contribution to the understanding of Amazigh linguistics.
He was also a founder of the “Études Linguistiques” research group at the University of Fez, a center dedicated to linguistic research and the advancement of Amazigh studies.
Among his most notable works is his 1987 book, “Système verbal rifain: Forme et sens (Nord-Marocain)”, which remains a cornerstone in Berber linguistic studies.
International Collaboration and Influence
Kadi’s impact extended far beyond Morocco. During a two-month academic invitation to the Netherlands, hosted by the Department of General Linguistics at the University of Amsterdam, he gave a series of lectures and interviews that helped raise international awareness of Amazigh linguistics.
While in Europe, he collaborated with the Dutch Ministry of Education on potential programs for the teaching of Tamazight, reflecting his lifelong vision to see the language thrive both academically and culturally.
Legacy and Remembrance
Though his life was cut short, Professor Kadi Kaddour’s legacy endures through his pioneering research, his students, and his unwavering dedication to the Amazigh cause. His scholarly contributions remain an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration for linguists, educators, and activists committed to preserving North Africa’s linguistic heritage.
He will forever be remembered as a paragon of dedication, scholarship, and cultural pride — a man who believed that the path to progress begins with embracing one’s mother tongue.
Selected Bibliography of Kadi Kaddour
- 1981 — Le verbe en tarifit: Formes, structures et valence. PhD Dissertation, Paris III.
- 1985 — Valence et dérivation verbale en tarifit. Awal 1: 11–123.
- 1987 — Prépositions et rections en tarifit (Nord marocain). EDB 3: 67–75.
- 1987 — Système verbal rifain: Forme et sens (Nord-Marocain). Paris: SELAF.
- 1989 — Structure de la phrase et ordre des mots en tarifit. EDB 6: 41–59.
- 1990 — Pour un retour d’exil du sujet lexical en linguistique berbère. Awal, special edition: 233–242.
- 1990 — Questions de syntaxe en berbère tarifit. EDB 7: 182–184.
- 1990 — Transitivité et diathèse en tarifit: Analyse de quelques relations de dépendance lexicales et syntaxiques. Paris: Sorbonne Nouvelle.
- 1991 — Sujet et prédications non verbales en rifain. EDB 8: 79–95.
- 1993 — Une “cause” peut en cacher une autre ou le problème d’agentivité en berbère. In À la croisée des études libyco-berbères, eds. J. Drouin & A. Roth, pp. 177–194.
Professor Kadi Kaddour (1952–1995) — a visionary linguist, educator, and defender of Tamazight.
His voice may have been silenced, but his words continue to echo through generations.
