Eduardo
Balbo

Eduardo Balbo is a PhD candidate in Arabic dialectology and sociolinguistics. His research examines the endangered Arabic dialects spoken by Tunisian Jews—known as Tunisian Judeo-Arabic dialects—with a focus on those once spoken near the island of Djerba. Eduardo also focuses on the contact of Tunisian and Libyan Judeo-Arabic dialects with Modern Hebrew in immigrant communities in Israel. By analyzing the unique linguistic features of these dialects, he aims to provide new data on early linguistic Arabization in North Africa—the gradual shift of communities to speaking Arabic under historical Islamic rule—while helping preserve a disappearing linguistic and cultural heritage.

Eduardo aims to provide new data on early linguistic Arabization in North Africa while helping preserve a disappearing linguistic and cultural heritage.

Eduardo holds a BA in English and Arabic from the University of Palermo and an MA in Arabic and Modern Hebrew from the University of Naples “L’Orientale.” Originally from a small village in Sicily, Italy, he has volunteered with refugee minors in Italy and Palestinian high school students in East Jerusalem. In his off hours, he enjoys baking, singing, and playing guitar and ukulele.