Re: Malayalam Zero - an error

From: Dean Snyder (dean.snyder@jhu.edu)
Date: Wed Apr 06 2005 - 19:39:13 CST

  • Next message: John Hudson: "Re: Malayalam Zero - an error"

    Kenneth Whistler wrote at 2:12 PM on Wednesday, April 6, 2005:

    >Philippe responded...
    >
    >> > The error in the malayalam zero sign needs to be corrected.
    >>
    >> If what you say there is true, ...
    >
    >[paragraphs of speculation about how to "fix" the problem omitted]

    [paragraphs of Ken's speculation about why Malayalam "zero" may not be a
    problem omitted]
    >
    >I consider the chances that the UTC will start "fixing"
    >Malayalam digit zero along the lines that Philippe has
    >suggested to be, well, close to zero.

    In brushing Philippe off, you didn't address the interesting issue raised
    - just what WOULD you suggest as a fix if indeed the Malayalam "zero"
    character is represented in the Unicode charts by the "1/2" glyph, while
    the "1/2" glyph is not represented at all? Or do you think that such a
    situation would not need fixing?

    To put the question in more general terms, are there stability issues in
    correcting patently wrong, completely misleading glyphs in the standard?
    Or are there worse repercussions for NOT correcting patently wrong,
    completely misleading glyphs?

    My opinion is that a terribly wrong glyph in the standard should be
    corrected, which is, in principle, all that Philippe was suggesting. Why
    reject, with no discussion, such a suggestion? And why make fun of it,
    like the idea is patently ridiculous?

    Dean A. Snyder

    Assistant Research Scholar
    Manager, Digital Hammurabi Project
    Computer Science Department
    Whiting School of Engineering
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    Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21218

    office: 410 516-6850
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    www.jhu.edu/digitalhammurabi/
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