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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.

Background

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.

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.

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

Examples

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).

See also

• Libyan Arabic
• Romanization of Arabic
• List of cities in Libya

References

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

• 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:

• Rodolfo Graziani, “Libia Redenta”, Torella Editore; Napoli, 1948, pp. 336–337,& 352–353.
• National Geographic Magazine, “Map of Africa”, a presented map in the February 1980 issue.

• Geography of Libya
• Transliteration
• Libya geography-related lists
• Arabic languages