Murray, George W.: An English-Nubian comparative dictionary (London [u.a.]: H. Milford, Oxford University Press, 1923)

viii

Preface

A number of parallels between Nubian and Bari, overlooked by Reinisch,
constitute the principal novelty in the comparative column.
Nubian grammar has been so fully recorded by Lepsius, Reinisch, and
Almkvist, and analysed by Reinisch, that there is little justification for recapitu-
lating it here. A very brief epitome will be found in pp. xxxi-xli.
It may be frankly admitted that the present work would have gained considerably
in value, had it been found possible to adopt some modern system of indicating the
tones. Too much praise can hardly be given to the thorough way in which Czermak,
in particular, has attacked the question of Nuba phonetics in his recent Kordufan-
nubische Studien, and I regret the impossibility of reproducing his notation here
without disarranging the rest of the work. But increased official duties have left
the author but little leisure for this or any other philological study.
I must not conclude without acknowledging the courtesy of Dr. N. E. Waterfield
of Port Sudan, in allowing me to consult his unpublished vocabularies of Bedauye.
Among Nubian helpers, El Hajj Muhammad Bedda of Shellal has rendered
invaluable assistance in supplying new words, and in some cases amplifying the
meanings given by the older authorities.

Cairo, April 11th, 1923.

G. W. MURRAY.