A Language Island in a Sea of Sand: The Case of Siwa (Egypt)

Abstract

The Siwi language is spoken in the Siwa oasis in the Egyptian Western Desert. It is the easternmost place where a Berber variety (Afro-Asiatic) is spoken. Siwi is not the only language spoken in the oasis, as the entire population speaks at least one variety (Bedouin and/or Egyptian) of Arabic. Siwi speakers can be firmly differentiated from Egyptians or Bedouins settled in the oasis not only because of their language, but also because of an entire set of customs and traditions that contribute to creating their identity. Though recent factors brought by modernity are levelling the gap between Siwa and the other communities, and Arabic influence on the language is increasing, this article discusses some distinctive historical, socio-cultural and linguistic features of Siwa.