This language spoke to after reading the article Unearthing a Long-Ignored African Writing System. It amazes me and shocks me that Ngom thought his father was illiterate. I just cant fathom the fact that one wouldn't know if you parent is illiterate. (This is just my thoughts) anyway, it is interesting that Ajami an Arab language that comes from Asia was/is used in Africa. A whole other continent. "Ajami" (or a'jami) comes from the Arabic word for foreigner or non-Arab sometimes used to refer to a Persian. It has been adapted by people who practice Islam to fit their alphabet. Ajami manuscripts generally fall in two major categories: 1) Religious poems intended for recitation, in the same way that the Qur'ān itself was designed for recitation (and actually means recitation), and 2) Religious and secular prose designed for keeping records such as family genealogies, historical accounts, advertisements, and correspondences, to name only a few. The article states that in order for one to understand Ajami one must know the Arabic script, the African Language, and the system of transcription.