SVG and Unicode

[Valerie Sutton]

This makes me feel better, Stuart. I am glad you agree with me  
because frankly, I would prefer to perfect the ISWA rather than  
feeling under pressure to get the whole IMWA done for everyone...it  
is just too much work for me to get the other symbols in to complete  
the IMWA right now....but to get a really clean and good ISWA is what  
we need...a way to write any signed language in the world is plenty!

Val ;-)



On May 1, 2007, at 9:15 AM, Stuart Thiessen wrote:

> Right!  I actually typed my response before I saw yours. :)
>
> Stuart
>
> On May 1, 2007, at 11:00, Valerie Sutton wrote:
>
>> But that is my very point, Stuart...why include the non-linguistic  
>> skateboarding and dance and axe writing symbols at all in Unicode?  
>> why would be want that? Why not just create a Unicode for the  
>> International SignWriting Alphabet (ISWA) that is specific to  
>> writing languages...?
>>
>> Val ;-)
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 1, 2007, at 8:50 AM, Stuart Thiessen wrote:
>>
>>> I would suggest that the basic symbols for the Movement Writing  
>>> System be included in one file. Then specialized adaptations that  
>>> would be very specific in their application be provided in a  
>>> separate file. I would almost lean toward the idea of reserving a  
>>> space in the PUA (Private Use Area) where specialized symbols for  
>>> movement writing applications could be referenced. The base  
>>> symbols would be a permanent part of Unicode because it is used  
>>> to write sign languages. However, specialized adaptations of  
>>> Movement Writing which are not linguistic in nature could be  
>>> referenced from the PUA and then a specific font could be used to  
>>> retrieve those specialized symbols.
>>>
>>> The reason I suggest that is because it is my understanding that  
>>> Unicode's intent is to store the writing systems for languages,  
>>> not necessarily any kind of transcription. I could be wrong.  I  
>>> will find out more when I discuss this project more with my  
>>> contacts.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Stuart
>>>
>>> On May 1, 2007, at 10:28, Steve Slevinski wrote:
>>>
>>>> Agreed Stuart, see comments below.
>>>>
>>>> Stuart Thiessen wrote:
>>>>>> Unicode and SVG
>>>>>> -----------------------
>>>>>> Once each symbol has a unique number, we can create font files  
>>>>>> for SignWriting.  We may be able to have a single font file,  
>>>>>> or we may need multiple font files.  Since we'll already have  
>>>>>> the SVGs completed, we can use the SVG style fonts.  This  
>>>>>> whole process will be repackaging.  There should be automated  
>>>>>> tools that can help.  Maybe even font experts..
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I believe that it should be no problem to contain all the  
>>>>> symbols in one font file. After all, they have font files with  
>>>>> nearly every writing system included that are several megabytes  
>>>>> in size. It may be that our font file has very minimal support  
>>>>> for spoken languages and only contains movement writing symbols.
>>>>>
>>>> Agreed.  However, extension packs need a place in the final  
>>>> solution.  Val wrote an entire symbology for wood chopping using  
>>>> an ax.  The standard prop system was inadequate.  The axes are a  
>>>> part of neither the standard IMWA symbol set nor the SignWriting  
>>>> alphabet.  Just because we can fit all of the symbols into one  
>>>> file doesn't mean we should.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> -Steve
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>