Encyclopedia of Arabic language and linguistics

Encyclopedia of Arabic language and linguistics, Vol. 2. Ed. by Kees Versteegh, Mushira Eid, Alaa Elgibali, Manfred Woidich, and Andrzej Zaborski. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, 2006. Pp. viii, 720. ISBN 9789004144743. $267 (Hb).

Reviewed by Omaima M. Ayoub, Richard J. Daley College

This second volume of the Encyclopedia of Arabic language and linguistics is arranged alphabetically from Eg- to Lan- and includes entries that offer definitions and illustrations of various linguistic and cultural terms pertaining to the Arabic language and heritage. This comprehensive reference work contains articles and bibliographical references on a wide range of linguistic topics discussed from an Arabic perspective.

The first entry under the letter E is ‘Egypt’, which is divided into the categories ‘Sociolinguistics’ and ‘General linguistic situation’ (i.e. ‘Languages spoken in Egypt’ and ‘Arabic dialects of Egypt’). ‘Arabic dialects of Egypt’ is further divided into the categories ‘Lower Egypt-Nile Delta’, ‘Upper Egypt-Nile Valley’, and ‘Oases’. ‘Languages spoken in Egypt’ briefly discusses the various dialects of Arabic (e.g. urban, rural, and Bedouin), Afro-Asiatic languages (e.g. Berber and Bedja), and non-Afro-Asiatic languages (e.g. Nubian and Fadicca). This section is supported with two maps that illustrate the dialects of the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley.

Overall, this encyclopedia is a valuable reference on a wide range of linguistic subjects related to the Arabic language and culture.