Anthroponymy and Civil Registration: Naming and Spelling of Surnames in Algeria
contributors
Coordinateur :
Ouerdia YERMECHE
abstract
This book is presented in a dual format: individualized contributions (articles authored by each project member) and collective sections (conclusion, annexes, and bibliography). The first article, by Ouerdia Sadat-Yermeche, offers a historical overview of the establishment of civil status in Algeria and the politico-ideological assumptions underlying the imposition of the patronymic system. Her second article examines the French transcription of Algerian names in the nineteenth century, demonstrating that today’s complex orthographic situation is a colonial legacy. Cherif Sini, in “Investigating Civil Status: The Limits of an Experience”, critically assesses the shortcomings of the investigative methodology and suggests improvements. Aïssa Boussiga, in “Plurilingualism and the Writing of Proper Names: From French to Arabic and Arabic to French”, argues that resolving civil status issues requires addressing Algeria’s plurilingual linguistic landscape, particularly Berber. This perspective is reinforced by Ahmed Boualili in “Elements for a Plurilingual Management of Proper Names in Algeria”, who insists that recognition of linguistic diversity is essential for a definitive solution. The collective conclusion, based on field investigations in civil status offices, proposes practical measures to address the challenges of civil status and the writing of proper names.