Personal Names
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The same author may use different spellings of his/her name, e.g. Boubacar / Boubakar / Bubakar. Try to look out for variant spellings that could refer to the same person. The same author may spell his/her name quite differently, for example in publications in different languages.
Examples:
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Sidi Lamine Niasse / Sidy Lamine Niass (French, 'normal' variation)
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Diop, Ibrahima Massek / Jóób, Ibraaima Masek / Jóób, Ibraayima Masek (French and Wolof)
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Diop, Khady / Jūb Bātih, Khadi Aḥmad (French and Arabic)
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Qaranq, Qalwāq Dīnq / Garang, Gatluak Deng (Arabic and Dinka)
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West African and Arabic-speaking people often have names identical or very similar to someone else’s name. Do not assume they are the same person; look for nationality / residence, professional field / affiliations, age, and language as clues.