build a font for your endangered language...

[Christopher Doty]

The problem is that there are lots of venues where a font simply CAN'T
be installed (cell phones, webmail applications, and blogging
platforms come immediately to mind), as well as public computers, as
you noted.  Developing a font that can't be used in these areas
inherently limits the use of the language, excluding it from use in
many modern contexts which lots of us, especially kids, use on a daily
basis and as our main means of communicating with friends, family, and
colleagues.  This exclusion can reinforce the idea that the language
is something old, historical, out-of-date, that belongs solely in the
past, instead of a vibrant, living entity.

Chris

On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM, William J Poser <wjposer at ldc.upenn.edu> wrote:
> Christopher Doty writes:
>>Having resources like these to build a font can be extremely valuable.
>>However, keep in mind that any font developed using this systems is
>>going to be VERY limited.  You're not going to be able to send emails
>>in the language, or use other forms of technology very easily.
>
> I'm not sure why you say this.
>
> If you generate a Truetype or Opentype font, it will be usable on
> virtually any computer. The thing to avoid is using non-standard
> encodings. If you use a Unicode encoding, then just about any
> reasonably modern software, including email software and web browsers,
> will be able to use the font.
>
> It is true, of course, that people will need to download and install
> your font in order to use it. The problem of people not knowing
> how to do this can be overcome by providing or linking to clear
> instructions on font installation for the various operating systems.
> It isn't that difficult on any of the systems I am familiar with.
> The difficulty that is harder to overcome is that some people may
> not have control over the machines they use at work and may be
> unable to install fonts even if they know how.
>
> Bill
>