| The Arabic Script in Africa: Studies in the Use of a Writing System Contributor(s): Mumin, Meikal (Editor), Versteegh, Kees (Editor) |
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ISBN: 9004256792 ISBN-13: 9789004256798 Publisher: Brill OUR PRICE: $193.80 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: January 2014 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Foreign Language Study | Arabic - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General - Language Arts & Disciplines | Alphabets & Writing Systems |
| Dewey: 492.711 |
| LCCN: 2013031839 |
| Series: Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics |
| Physical Information: 1.1" H x 6.1" W x 9.3" (1.60 lbs) 420 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The Arabic script in Africa contains sixteen papers on the past and present use of Arabic script to write African languages. These writing traditions, which are sometimes collectively referred to as Ajami, are discussed for single or multiple languages, with examples from all major linguistic phyla of Africa but one (Khoisan), and from all geographic areas of Africa (North, West, Central, East, and South Africa), as well as a paper on the Ajami heritage in the Americas. The papers analyze (ethno-) historical, literary, (socio-) linguistic, and in particular grammatological aspects of these previously understudied writing traditions and exemplify their range and scope, providing new data for the comparative study of writing systems, literacy in Africa, and the history of (Islam in) Africa. |