Tifinagh

Tifinagh is a script used to write Berber (Amazigh) languages in the Maghreb and parts of the Sahara. It traces its lineage to the ancient Libyco-Berber writing system, with inscriptions found across North Africa dating from roughly the 3rd century BCE to the early centuries CE. The modern term Tifinagh covers several related forms that have evolved as Berber communities adapted the script over time.

There are two main contemporary strands: Tuareg Tifinagh and Neo-Tifinagh. The Tuareg variant is used by Tuareg communities across the Sahara and is highly geometric, consisting of simple strokes and dots. It historically represented consonants, with vowels supplied by readers or context; in modern practice, some educational or ceremonial uses mark vowels explicitly. Neo-Tifinagh, developed in the 20th century, provides a standardized form for transcribing Tamazight languages and is used in education, signage, media, and publishing in several countries.

The script has been adapted for contemporary use and digital typography. It is encoded in Unicode and supported by modern fonts, enabling incorporation into software, websites, and educational materials. In everyday life, Tifinagh appears on flags, insignia, street signs, and classroom materials in areas where Amazigh languages have official or cultural status. In Morocco, Tamazight is an official language alongside Arabic as of the 2011 constitution, a development that has helped promote the teaching and public display of Neo-Tifinagh.