Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi (, ; born 1958) is a Somali-Canadian scholar, linguist, writer, translator and professor. Biography Formerly a journalist in his native Somalia, Abdullahi emigrated to Canada, where he earned a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in linguistics from the Université de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec. He also earned a higher diploma in the instruction of French as a second language at the Université de Franche-comté in Besançon, France. Abdullahi is fluent in Somali, Arabic, English and French. His research interests include the study of the Afro-Asiatic languages in general (particularly its Cushitic branch), as well as Somali history and culture. He has also written numerous books, notably Culture and Customs of Somalia published by Greenwood Publishing Group in 2001, where he addresses the obscure origins of the Somali people, among other topics. Abdullahi currently teaches linguistics at the Université de Montréal. He also works as a freelance translator and language consultant. Bibliography Major publications Manuscripts and projects The Evolution and Meaning of the Cardinal Directions in Somali—Paper showing how the four words for the cardinal directions in the Somali language evolved into their present forms. The Diachronic Development of the Progressive in Somali—Paper discussing the formation of the progressive tense in the Somali language. Dissertation See also Somali Studies References External links Diriye's Homepage The Somali Language Page 1958 births Living people Somalian emigrants to Canada Université de Montréal alumni University of Franche-Comté alumni Somalian writers Ethnic Somali people Linguists from Somalia Somalian scientists Somalian non-fiction writers Somalian scholars Somalists