Talk:Writing systems of Africa

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This is a quick attempt to bring together info on writing systems in Africa. There already was a lot of info - all in individual articles - but no way to relate them to the common continental context. As with all new Wikipedia entries, this can use a lot of work, but I think the page - and the accompanying category - fill a need. --A12n 00:08, 26 December 2006 (UTC)

I seriously don't like this statement: "The most common writing system encountered today in Africa in general is the Latin script, although regionally and in some localities others may be more important."

It seems to discount Arabic completely even though it is the most important script for North Africa. I don't think it's wise to follow a "take North Africa out of Africa" policy in this case. I am not gonna change it so I don't ruin your work, but please consider modifying it since it sounds very insulting to us North Africans.karkaron

This was a first cut at an overview perspective, with the entire continent in mind, and not intended to be definitive. For better or worse, it does seem to me that the Latin alphabet is all over the continent to one degree or another. I've been in Egypt a couple of times, northern Sudan (looong time ago) and Morocco, and although it is obvious that Arabic is THE main language & script, there is quite a lot in either French or English. Please tell me if I'm mistaken. (I can read some Arabic, or at least sound it out, so maybe my impression is blurred by not having felt totally lost.) I did try to cover by adding about the regional dominance of other scripts. Maybe that could be spelled out more clearly.

All that said, I encourage you to modify the wording in a way that better encompasses the realities you are calling attention to. (Or else I'll try to get to it later.) --A12n 00:50, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Okay, just did a quick revision... --A12n 01:54, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Perfect. BTW, I am Egyptian, I understand how someone visiting may be under the impression that Arabic and English are almost equally commonly written. This is perhaps because almost all street signs, banners, ads, and shop signs are either bilingual or mono in English. But in reality the absolute majority of forms and publications are in Arabic.karkaron

[edit] Punic

I miss the Punic alphabet. --84.20.17.84 16:44, 7 February 2007 (UTC)