Les panneaux publicitaires

As I have been getting around here in Morocco, I am struck by all the indications that the French language is alive, well, and in use in Morocco. There are traces of the French colonial era everywhere: in the cafés, in the architecture, in the social institutions, in transportation...For example, here is a street corner on the main avenue in Kénitra. Notice the billboard in Arabic. It's for a French bank: Société Générale. Next to it is a newspaper stand ("kiosque" in French). But this isn't just any old newspaper stand. It's the Kiosque Balzac! Named of course for the great French novelist and national icon, Honoré de Balzac. Next to it? Balzac Pub!

Actually, most bulletin boards are not in Arabic alone. Usually, they have some French involved, such as this one:

The third picture is perhaps most representative of trends here, as it involves Moroccan, French, and American influences (Coca-Cola anyone? How about McDonald's? Wanna play some PSP?)

I am going to make a visual language unit using Moroccan bulletin boards for my students to explore language, culture, globalization, and have fun!