Manifestations of linguistic interference and their impact on local identity in the inscriptions of the Tripolitania region during the Roman era

Abstract

This study examines the manifestations of linguistic interaction in inscriptions from the Tripolitania region (Oea, Leptis Magna, Sabratha) during the Roman era. It also explores how these linguistic phenomena influenced the local identity. The main questions addressed by this study are: How did the inscriptions reflect the relationship between the languages of Tripolitania region? How did they reveal patterns of everyday language use? What were the manifestations of linguistic interference and cross-pollination? And how did these phenomena contribute to the formation or preservation of the local identity? The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to analyze the inscriptions, classify instances of linguistic borrowing, and analyze the implications of language choice in various contexts, such as religious, official, and private matters. The study concluded that linguistic interference in the Tripolitania region was not a one-way process of language substitution, but rather a cultural interaction that allowed for the preservation of the local identity through the harmonious use of multiple languages. In addition, the study revealed that the bilingual inscriptions demonstrate that the inhabitants of this region possessed a sophisticated understanding of language, enabling them to meet the demands of Roman administration with adherence to their local linguistic heritage.