Andrew Savage
The Tuareg today face three options for choosing a script: Arabic, Roman, and their own traditional Tifinagh (or Shifinagh). This article examines the sociolinguistic factors involved in the choice of script for writing the Tuareg language. The situation of the Tuareg and their language is first presented. Then some of the cultural influences exerted on the Tuareg society are outlined. The direct relationship of these conflicting influences on the choice of script for writing the Tuareg language is explained, with the final choice of script for writing Tuareg yet to be finalized in some regions.