In a country-by-country approach, the overview is divided into three subsequent historical periods: the precolonial, the European colonization and the post-independence. Although these periods differ for the respective countries in the area, their significance in shaping different kinds of research interests remains comparable. The precolonial ‘Islamic’ period was a warranty for interest in Arabic, the colonization period brought about more interest in local varieties, with continuation of interest in Arabic and Islam in general, while independence allowed local universities to have their own research agendas, in many cases starting with a hostile attitude to languages other than Arabic, and sparkling debates on national languages and languages of education. Arab nationism has been using Arabic as a pillar in building new postcolonial states, usually, but not always, with Islam as a common denominator for countries where Arabic is the - mostly - only official language. Other languages of academic concern in the region are Coptic, the various Berber/Amazigh languages, and also Nubian and Beja.