ADLaM – An Alphabet to Preserve a Culture
Award: Graphite Pencil
Graphite Pencil / Direct / Products & Services / 2024
Award: Wood Pencil
Wood Pencil / Direct / Digital
Award: Wood Pencil
Wood Pencil / Digital & Social / Integrated
Award: Wood Pencil
Wood Pencil / Type Design & Lettering / Single Typeface
Award: Wood Pencil
Wood Pencil / Impact / Design
Award: Shortlist
Shortlist / Typography / Integrated
Award: Shortlist
Shortlist / Art Direction / Direct
Award: Shortlist
Shortlist / Creative Transformation / Products
An alphabet isn’t just a tool for expression, but an operating system for survival.
The Fulani people are the world’s largest nomadic group. Their language, Pulaar, had no alphabet. Without one, the risk was that their culture would be swallowed by one that could operate in the digital world. In 1989, two brothers, Abdoulaye and Ibrahima Barry, began working on one. They called it ADLaM.
Microsoft worked with them and their community, to revise, optimize and digitize their updated alphabet – launching it on over 1 billion devices with Microsoft 365 – preserving their culture for generations
What did the judges have to say?
The concept of the project and story behind creating a language for an almost-extinct culture is beautiful.
Ranim Al Halaky, Graphic Designer and visual artist, Independent Freelancer
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