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PanAfrLoc.WritingSystems History

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2012-07-21 01:15 by Don - removed spam
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  • Main Course in African Language Cialis
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  • Main Course in African Language
2012-06-30 19:57 by 120.29.65.199 -
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  • Main Course in African LAnguageCialis
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  • Main Course in African Language Cialis
2012-06-30 19:57 by 120.29.65.199 -
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  • Main Course in African LAnguageCialis
2008-11-07 15:16 by DonOsborn - Bassa Vah added; reordered lists
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2007-08-11 21:26 by Don Osborn - correction
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A brief overview of ways peopls adapt African language orthographies for text in ICT is given in a revised version of an article from several years ago: African Language Text Issues.

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A brief overview of ways people adapt African language orthographies for text in ICT is given in a revised version of an article from several years ago: African Language Text Issues.

2007-04-16 01:02 by Don Osborn -
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(:toc:)

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(:toc:)

2007-04-16 01:02 by Don Osborn - Trails, box
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This is also Appendix II (Section 12.2) of the Survey Document

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2007-04-09 15:33 by Don Osborn - Rearranged
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Discussion

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Overview

Use of diverse writing systems in Africa

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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. These may be used in the locale defitions or in HTML markup, but in most cases they are not necessary (you would not need to use a code for Arabic script for a webpage in Arabic language, for instance). For a complete list of the codes, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

These codes are also available as part of the IANA registry of codes at http://www.iana.org/assignments/language-subtag-registry

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Other ways of looking at what is a "writing system"

There are other ways to look at what is a "writing system" that include various kinds of designs and graphical elements that can be used individually or in combinations to convey various concepts and ideas. The African Writing Systems website mentioned below has some information on these.

In the context of localization, however, we are focusing on scripts that represent the full range of a language's communication.

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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. These may be used in the locale defitions or in HTML markup, but in most cases they are not necessary (you would not need to use a code for Arabic script for a webpage in Arabic language, for instance). For a complete list of the codes, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

These codes are also available as part of the IANA registry of codes at http://www.iana.org/assignments/language-subtag-registry

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Other ways of looking at what is a "writing system"

There are other ways to look at what is a "writing system" that include various kinds of designs and graphical elements that can be used individually or in combinations to convey various concepts and ideas. The African Writing Systems website above has some information on these.

In the context of localization, however, we are focusing on scripts that represent the full range of a language's communication.

2007-04-09 15:02 by Don Osborn -
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When considering localisation on the African continent, it is often necessary to consider the issue of scripts used.

The whole continent to one degree or another uses the Latin script. This is a legacy of history and current global realities. And indeed, many countries use only this script, though often with additional modified characters.

However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

Pages on the major scripts give background (historic, technical with regard to computing in Africa) and brief overviews of technical issues important to localisation.

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When considering localisation on the African continent, it is often necessary to consider the issue of scripts used. Pages on the major scripts give background (historic, technical with regard to computing in Africa) and brief overviews of technical issues important to localisation.

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Discussion

The whole continent to one degree or another uses the Latin script even in regions where other scripts are dominant. This is a legacy of colonial history and current global realities. And indeed, many countries, especially south of the Sahara, use only this script, although often with additional modified characters.

There are of course living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), as well as other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

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ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. These may be used in the locale defitions or in HTML markup, but in many cases they are not necessary (you would not need to use a code for Arabic script for a webpage in Arabic language, for instance). For a complete list of the codes, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

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ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. These may be used in the locale defitions or in HTML markup, but in most cases they are not necessary (you would not need to use a code for Arabic script for a webpage in Arabic language, for instance). For a complete list of the codes, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

2007-04-09 14:54 by Don Osborn -
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(:toc:)

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  • Writing systems of Africa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writing_systems_of_Africa
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2007-04-02 15:23 by Don Osborn -
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These codes are also available as part of the IANA registry of codes at http://www.iana.org/assignments/language-subtag-registry

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These codes are also available as part of the IANA registry of codes at http://www.iana.org/assignments/language-subtag-registry

2007-02-06 17:40 by Don Osborn - Système alphabétiques des langues africaines
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General

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Character/alphabet information

  • Système alphabétiques des langues africaines http://sumale.vjf.cnrs.fr/phono/index.htm
2007-02-05 14:10 by Don Osborn - More on ISO-15924
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ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. For a complete list, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

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ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. These may be used in the locale defitions or in HTML markup, but in many cases they are not necessary (you would not need to use a code for Arabic script for a webpage in Arabic language, for instance). For a complete list of the codes, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

2007-01-16 01:49 by Don Osborn -
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Issues in the display of text in African languages

A brief overview of ways peopls adapt African language orthographies for text in ICT is given in a revised version of an article from several years ago: African Language Text Issues.

2006-10-23 13:27 by Don Osborn -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, Loma, Kpelle and Mandombe).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

2006-10-23 13:25 by Don Osborn -
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List of Scripts Used in Africa

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List of scripts used in Africa

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In the context of localization we are focusing on scripts that represent the full range of a language's communication.

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In the context of localization, however, we are focusing on scripts that represent the full range of a language's communication.

2006-10-23 12:45 by Don Osborn -
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Pages on the major scripts will give background (historic, technical with regard to computing in Africa) and brief overviews of technical issues important to localisation.

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Pages on the major scripts give background (historic, technical with regard to computing in Africa) and brief overviews of technical issues important to localisation.

List of Scripts Used in Africa

Major scripts used in many countries for many languages

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Regionally important scripts

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Language-specific scripts

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Historically important scripts

2006-10-22 22:22 by Don Osborn -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, Loma, Kpelle and Mandombe).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, Loma, Kpelle and Mandombe).

2006-10-22 22:21 by Don Osborn -
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  • KiKaKui
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2006-10-11 22:05 by Don Osborn -
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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

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Some websites about writing systems in Africa

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Some websites about writing systems in Africa

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Other ways of looking at what is a "writing system"

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Other ways of looking at what is a "writing system"

2006-10-11 22:05 by Don Osborn - Addeed sites, mention of non-alphabets
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Some websites about writing systems in Africa

  • Afrikan Alphabets http://www.ziva.org.zw/afrikan.htm
  • African Writing Systems http://www.library.cornell.edu/africana/Writing_Systems/Welcome.html
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There are

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There are other ways to look at what is a "writing system" that include various kinds of designs and graphical elements that can be used individually or in combinations to convey various concepts and ideas. The African Writing Systems website above has some information on these.

In the context of localization we are focusing on scripts that represent the full range of a language's communication.

2006-10-11 21:32 by Don Osborn -
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Writing Sytems of the African Continent

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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

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Other ways of looking at what is a "writing system"

There are

2006-07-24 14:34 by Don Osborn - Added mention of IANA
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ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. For a complete list, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html

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ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. For a complete list, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html .

These codes are also available as part of the IANA registry of codes at http://www.iana.org/assignments/language-subtag-registry

2006-04-05 06:22 by DonOsborn -
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2006-04-05 05:48 by DonOsborn -
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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. See http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html

to:

Codes for the representation of names of scripts

ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes and 3-number codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. For a complete list, see http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html

2006-04-05 05:23 by DonOsborn -
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Codes for the representation of names of scripts

ISO-15924 defines 4-letter codes for various writing systems, including many of the above. See http://www.unicode.org/iso15924/iso15924-codes.html

2005-12-05 16:20 by 130.132.179.160 -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, Loma, Kpelle and Mandombe).

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2005-08-27 15:52 by 213.140.57.95 -
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2005-08-25 13:38 by DonOsborn -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

2005-08-25 13:28 by DonOsborn -
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2005-08-25 11:09 by DonOsborn -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

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2005-08-24 01:51 by DonOsborn -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, and N'ko).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, Bamum, N'ko, and Mandombe).

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2005-07-26 19:28 by Daniel Yacob -
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2005-06-23 15:21 by DonOsborn -
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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, and N'ko).

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However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, and N'ko).

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  • KiKaKui
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  • KiKaKui
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  • Ge'ez/Ethiopic
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2005-06-01 14:07 by DonOsborn -
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Pages on the major scripts will give background (historic, technical with regard to computing in Africa) and brief overviews of technical issues important to localisation.

2005-06-01 13:31 by DonOsborn -
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The whole continent to one degree or another uses the Latin script. This is a legacy of history and current global realities. And indeed, many countries use only this script, though often with additional modified characters.

However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, and N'ko).

Before European colonisation, the Arabic script found use for writing many languages of the Sahel and the east coast of Africa.

to:

The whole continent to one degree or another uses the Latin script. This is a legacy of history and current global realities. And indeed, many countries use only this script, though often with additional modified characters.

However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, and N'ko).

2005-06-01 13:16 by DonOsborn -
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When considering localisation on the African continent, it is often necessary to consider the issue of scripts used.

The whole continent to one degree or another uses the Latin script. This is a legacy of history and current global realities. And indeed, many countries use only this script, though often with additional modified characters.

However there are living writing systems established much earlier on the continent (Tifinagh, Ge'ez/Ethiopic, Arabic), and other newer indigenous ones (such as Vai, Mende KiKaKui, and N'ko).

Before European colonisation, the Arabic script found use for writing many languages of the Sahel and the east coast of Africa.

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