Variations in the Writing System and Style of the Modern Judaeo-Arabic of Libya

This chapter explores the variations in the writing system and style of Modern Judaeo-Arabic from Libya (JAL), focusing on materials primarily from the 20th century. The study investigates the linguistic features and orthographic choices in JAL texts written in Hebrew script, emphasizing their stylistic and phonological diversity. The analysis highlights two main areas: the variability in orthographic representation, particularly the use of the Hebrew letter gimel to denote different sounds (e.g., ž, ġ, g), and the multiglossic nature of the language, where both literary and dialectal forms coexist.

The research reveals that JAL lacks a standardized orthography, with considerable variation in the representation of sounds and grammatical features across texts. This variability reflects influences from Classical Arabic (CA), spoken Libyan Arabic, and even elements of Tunisian Arabic. For instance, literary texts employ formal CA structures and vocabulary, while dialectal words and phrases persist in informal contexts. Despite efforts to maintain stylistic consistency, even highly literary texts often contain dialectal features, highlighting the fluidity of linguistic registers in JAL.

The chapter concludes that the diversity in writing systems and styles stems from a combination of local linguistic practices, historical publishing constraints, and cultural influences from neighboring regions like Tunisia. Further research is recommended to deepen understanding of JAL’s grammatical and lexical characteristics, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive analysis of its unique linguistic identity within the broader Judaeo-Arabic tradition.