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Transliteration of Libyan placenames

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Transliteration of Libyan placenames is the process of converting Libyan placenames written in the Arabic alphabet into the Latin alphabet. In most cases Libyan places have no common English name, so they need to be transliterated from Libyan Arabic or Standard Arabic. Many systems have been used, resulting in locations which have multiple transliterations in circulation.

Map of Libya

Background

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During the Italian colonization of Libya, Italians attempted to phonetically transliterate the Libyan Arabic pronunciations of most place names according to Italian orthography, with the exception of places with pre-existing Roman, Greek, or Italian names, such as Al Qubbah ('Giovanni Berta'), Shahhat ('Cirene'), and Susa ('Apollonia').

During World War II, the British army used the Italian maps, so the Italian transliterations became common among the British government and English-speaking historians.[citation needed]

However, most Libyans were not acquainted with these previous experiments, and after the 1969 Libyan revolution, only Arabic script was allowed on signs or tablets.[1]

There is no agreement on transliteration of Libyan placenames except for a few cities like Tripoli, Benghazi, and Tobruk.

Examples

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Here is a list of selected Libyan cities and towns, showing how the places have been transliterated from Standard Arabic and Libyan Arabic into Italian and English.

Note that any (h) preceded by a vowel is lightly pronounced or silent (like in Darnah).

Standard Arabic Libyan Arabic Italian Page(s) in English Wikipedia
Ajdabia Jdabia Agedábia Ajdabiya
Al Abraq Labrag Luigi di Savoia[2] Al Abraq
Al Abyar Labiar El Abiár Aybar
Al ʿAziziyah El Aziziyah El Azizia ‘Aziziya
Al Baydaʾ El Bayda Beda Littoria Bayda
Al Bardiya El Bardiya
or El Bûrdi		 Bardia Bardia
Al Jaghbub El Jaghbub Giarabub
or El Giaghbub		 Jaghbub
Al Khums El Khums Homs Khoms
Al Makhili El Mkhili Mechili Mechili
Al Marj El Marj Barce Marj
Al Qubbah El Gûbbah Giovanni Berta[3] Al Qubah
Al Uqaylah El Agheila El Agheila El Agheila
At Tamimi Et Timimi Tmimi Timimi
Awjilah Awjilah Áugila Awjila
Az Zawiyah Ez Zawiah Ez Zauia Zawiya
Bani Walid Bani Wlid Beni Ulid Bani Walid
Banghazi
Bani Ghazi		 Banghazi Bengasi Benghazi
Darnah Darnah Derna Derna
Daryanah Deriana Driána Deriana
Ghadamis Ghadamis Gadames Ghadames
Ghat Ghat Gat Ghat
Gharyan Ghiryan Garian Gharyan
Jalu Jalu Giálo Jalu
& Jalo oasis
Marsa Al Burayqah Marsa El Breiga
or El Breiga		 Mersa Brega Brega
Maradah Maradah Maráda Marada
Marawah Marawah Maraua Marawa
Misratah Misratah Misurata Misrata
Qaminis Ghemines Ghemínes Qaminis
Sabha Sabha Sebca Sabha
Shahhat Shahhat Cirene Shahhat
& Cyrene
Suluq Solug Soluch Suluq
Susah Susah Apollonia Susa,
& Apollonia
Tarabulus Trablis Tripoli Tripoli
Yifrin Yifrin Jefren Yafran
Zallah Zallah Zella Zella
Zuwarah Zwarah Zuara Zuwara

See also

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References

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  1. ^ See for example Act no.12; 1984, banning the usage of all languages other than Arabic in all dealings, reprinted in a governmental book named:"Al Qawaneen wal Lawa'eh wal Qararat that al Alaqa bil wazeefa al Amma wal Muwazzaf", part IV, prepared by Mohammed Omar Kassab et al.
  2. ^ Bulegma, & Kezeiri (ed.), " Al Jamahiriya ...", p.405
  3. ^ Bulegma, & Kezeiri (ed.), " Al Jamahiriya ...", p.405

Bibliography

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  • El Hadi Mustapha Bulegma, & Saad Khalil Kezeiri (ed.), " Al Jamahiriya: Dirasa fil Jughrafia", Ad Dar al Jamahiriya lil nashr wa tawzee wa e'lan, Surt, Libya, 1995.

And Libya's maps at:

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