Note on Translation and Transcription

All translations in the text are my own, unless otherwise indicated, and all references are to the Arabic originals. When English translations of El Saadawi’s works are available, these are noted in the first mention, both in the text and in the notes. For the convenience of the general reader, references to El Saadawi’s works in the body of the text use the titles of the published English translations.

I have used a simplified transcription system in which the lengtheners on lowercase vowels are indicated with the French circumflex accent. The ‘ayn and the hamza are represented by the conventional symbols. Specialists should be able to easily identify the Arabic words. Since Nawal El Saadawi has anglicized her name, I use that anglicized form in the text. I have, however, transcribed her name in the notes and bibliography when referring to the Arabic originals of her works.