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

[Ed Trager]

Hi, all,

Christopher Harvey of Language Geek (http://www.languagegeek.com/) has
been specializing in producing free fonts for speakers of Aboriginal
languages, especially those used in Canada and the rest of North
America.  But I also believe he may have done some work for
Latin-based African orthographies since his fonts already provide
numerous glyphs with diacritics.

It might be worth contacting him to see what he has available and what
interest he may have in supporting some of the African orthographies
that OLPC needs.

Also, for extended Arabic script, I wonder whether the Uyghur Computer
Science Association / Uyghur Kompyutér Ilimi Jem'iyiti ( UKIJ,
http://www.ukij.org/fonts/ ) might be interested in helping out?

Best - Ed Trager

> >
> > 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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>
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