Version 2.1, 22 July 2021
Version history:
1.0, 8 March 2012; numerous edits in 2014 and 2015
2.0, 26 June 2020
2.1, 22 July 2021
Choosing a typesetter for Arabic or Muslim Scripts
| Typesetter | Software | Fonts | Elements | Source files |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAT | LuaTeX | Amiri | Bold Arabic (only in Amiri); Critical text editions, with facing translation if required | TeX, LaTeX, MS Word, Mellel, Nisus Writer, Classical Text Editor (CTE) |
| DecoType | Tasmeem for InDesign | DT Emiri, DTNaskh, DTNastaliq (Arabic, Persian), DT Nastaleeq Press (Urdu) | Arabic, Persian text editions; poetry | MS Word, Mellel, Nisus Writer, Apple Pages (via MS Word) |
| Asiatype | Tasmeem for InDesign | DT Emiri, DTNaskh, DTNastaliq (Arabic, Persian) | Bold Arabic (only in Amiri); Edited volumes, critical text editions if not too complex (only one textual apparatus) | MS Word, Mellel, Nisus Writer |
Script styles, software, and fonts
In Brill publications, Arabic text in the Arabic script occurs frequently. In scholarly publications, the Naskhi style is generally preferred. Brill’s typesetters (at least Asiatype, SPi and Palm) use Adobe InDesign ME (Middle East) with the Tasmeem plugin, and special Tasmeem fonts. Two Tasmeem fonts have the Naskhi style: DecoType Naskh and DecoType Emiri. The latter is the default choice for short runs of text; the former is to be used if a more flexible type of Naskhi is necessary, for instance in critical text editions and the typesetting of Arabic poetry (something not dealt with in this basic document). Please note that at the time of this writing (June, 2020) we have no definitive all-purpose solution for Arabic type. Always consult Pim Rietbroek before specifying any particular Arabic font(s) apart from DT Emiri.
[Note that the font choices and Tasmeem settings apply to Arabic-language text. The Emiri settings can also be applied to small runs of Persian-language text, but Persian text sometimes demands the application of another typeface. Brill’s editors must communicate such cases to the typesetters. Other languages such as Urdu demand a different type style called Nastaliq, and there are distinct other styles that are prefered for writing and typesetting African languages in the ‘Arabic’ or Muslim script. Central and East Asian languages employ different styles again. Although Brill has limited volumes of non-Arabic and non-Persian texts, Brill’s editors must be aware of the distinct demands posed by them and contact Pim Rietbroek for instructions if they encounter them.]
