New Release by Leoma Gilley

In 1989, linguist Leoma Gilley and her colleague Janice moved to Khartoum – the world’s hottest capital – to improve the Shilluk writing system. Linguists have struggled since 1912 to develop an adequate writing system for the Shilluk people of southern Sudan. This language issue helped spark a 21-year civil war, driving many Shilluks to seek refuge in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital. Moving on from her first adventure in Launching into the Unknown, Leoma continues on in Sudan’ s capital, each day bringing a new challenge or celebration, including: bureaucratic red tape, successful workshops, cultural misunderstandings, enjoying unexpected friendships over plates of fuul, swirling dust storms, finding humor in the challenge of keeping electronics sand-free, and blistering heat. Will they convince the Shilluk people to embrace a new spelling system? Can they overcome government restrictions to continue their vital work?