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Let’s Chat: Languages of Egypt Over Centuries

October 28, 2021
c. Flo Meixner

No great language can ever truly be forgotten – or rather, not completely. Egypt is a spirited testament to the fact, boasting a history rich with wonders and woes and the tail-ends of foreign tongues. Over the centuries, from the rise of woman-king Hatshepsut to the ungraceful axing of the Ottomans, Egypt has built a reputation as a chatty, multilingual hub. Colonised for the majority of its modern history, Egypt has learnt to tango with several languages at a time, and although not all official, most remain in circulation. Today, Arabic dominates – sure, it’s made flashier by Egyptian street-swagger and dialect variations, but remains loyally Arabic. Regardless, Egypt’s lengthy repertoire is worth acknowledging. Earlier languages, such as Ancient Egyptian (Old, Middle, and Late), served as cornerstone contributions to ancient communication. Some, like Coptic, continue to resonate with populations as an avenue for reclaiming religion and ancestry. Between social and sentimental impacts, there’s still room to juggle colonial tongues as well. So, in honor of versatile, talkative Egyptians – here are some languages they’ve spoken over the eras. Old Egyptian Before the archeological discoveries of 1822 and translation of the…


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