[Localization] Which Non-Latin Scripts Do Free Software Fonts Not Cover?

[Edward Cherlin]

On 10/21/07, Dave Crossland <dave at lab6.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I've just started the Masters degree in Typeface Design at the
> University of Reading (for which Gentium was a submitted project) and
> will be committing the next year to designing an original typeface
> design and producing a professionally high quality OpenType font, that
> will of course be free software.
>
> I'm expected to do a non-latin complex script complement to my font,
> and I'd thought I'd ask around if anyone here has any opinions about
> the following:
>
> For OLPC, which non-latin script communities would benefit most from
> such a font?

The languages most likely to be needed for the XO-1 in its first year
are English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya,
Kinyarwanda, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Cambodian, and Thai. I suggest that
you look at Ethiopic script for languages other than Amharic, and
Hausa written in Arabic script. The others are well covered, except
for the Pan-African Alphabet (greatly extended Latin), which is not
within your assigned task domain. Also, check with Michael Everson,
everson at evertype.com, whom I have copied on this e-mail.

> In general, which non-latin scripts do free software fonts do not
> cover at all at the moment?

We're pretty good for the official languages of nations, except for
variant Arabic alphabets for some Asian languages, and Mongolian
script, which the Soyombo Linux project is working on. There are a lot
of minority languages and variant writing systems not yet well served,
and there are many problems remaining with writing historical forms of
various languages. Michael and the people at SIL.org know a lot more
about those issues than I do.

> In general, which non-latin script communities are popularly adopting
> free software

Everybody. ^_^  It's far less expensive than commercial software, and
you can get it adapted to your needs locally, without waiting for the
vendor to get around to you. It's also much more secure, much more
reliable, and much more conformant to open standards.

> and would benefit from more fonts?

For the simplest forms of Latin, as in English, Hawai'ian, and
Swahili, we all lost count many years ago at more than 10,000 fonts.
Many extended Latin and non-Latin writing systems are far behind.

We will also need people to teach some of the children in each country
how to design and make fonts. Would you or anybody in your program be
interested?

> :-)

{8<{)}}}   <--Cheerful geezer in glasses, mustache, and full beard

> --
> Regards,
> Dave
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>

Have fun. Let us know how you're doing.
-- 
Edward Cherlin
Earth Treasury: End Poverty at a Profit
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Earth_Treasury
Sustainable MBA student
Presidio School of Management