“The Influence of the Mother longue (Arabic/ Amazigh) on the Reaction of Deaf Children to Cochlear Implants and Rehabilitation Programs in Algeria”

Abstract

This study aims to examine the influence of the mother tongue (Arabic or Amazigh) on the response of deaf children with cochlear implants in Algeria and on the effectiveness of auditory and language rehabilitation programs. To achieve this objective, a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology was adopted to analyze differences between two distinct linguistic groups. The sample consisted of 30 children aged 4 to 10, equally divided between Arabic- and Amazigh-speaking participants, all implanted for one to three years and followed in specialized centers in Algiers, Tizi Ouzou, and Batna. Three main tools were used: semi-structured interviews with speech therapists and parents, structured observation of rehabilitation sessions, and a linguistic performance test assessing auditory comprehension, phonetic production, syntax, and oral expression.

Findings indicate that Arabic-speaking children progress more quickly, mainly because their mother tongue aligns with the language of rehabilitation. Amazigh-speaking children showed initial difficulties due to linguistic mismatch, but these gaps gradually diminished when elements of the Amazigh language were integrated into therapy sessions. The comparative analysis demonstrates that mother tongue significantly shapes auditory and linguistic outcomes, particularly in early rehabilitation stages. The study concludes that the mother tongue is not an obstacle but rather a facilitating factor when properly incorporated into rehabilitation programs. These results highlight the need to adapt Algerian therapeutic frameworks to the country’s multilingual context to ensure equitable and effective language development.