Seemingly every publication holds its own interpretations of how to best translate the name. The Los Angeles Times calls him "Kadafi," the Washington Post "Gaddafi," and the U.S. State Department "Qadhafi." In March, a Denver-based blog caught the Denver Post using three different spellings in as many weeks. TheAtlantic.com International Channel uses "Qaddafi," as does the New York Times, because the letter Q is typically used to render the glottal stop that is so common in Arabic and that begins Qaddafi's name. TheAtlantic.com International Channel has never really understood why some publications add an H to the name.

Part of the reason his name's spelling has remained so unclear is that Muammar Qaddafi has long refused to use any language other than Arabic in public, despite pervasive rumors that he is fluent in English and Italian. But while Qaddafi could conduct international diplomacy without using English, consular bureaucracy is far less accommodating. A diplomatic passport requires Latinized text, something even the self-described "King of African Kings" could not get around. But he could keep it secret, or at least until now.

Although the leader's family (and presumably the leader himself) seems to have preferred Gathafi, TheAtlantic.com International Channel will stick to its style of "Qaddafi" for reasons of consistency until such point as Muammar Qaddafi specifically requests otherwise in a letter to the editor -- preferably one with a return address.

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