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

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.]

Emiri font sizes and Tasmeem settings

Emiri was chosen as the basic font for Arabic-language text in Brill publications because it strictly adheres to the Unicode standard, provides the flexibility needed to represent not only modern standard Arabic but also historic forms of the language, and is as ‘neutral’ a book face as possible. It represents essentially the typographic form of Naskhi. The flexibility of the InDesign Tasmeem plugin and the Tasmeem fonts makes it necessary to define default values for typesetters to use, contrary to what typesetters are used to when dealing with more rigid OpenType fonts. Some basic presets in Tasmeem are suitable for some texts but not for Brill publications. Authors who quote Arabic text in the original script are quite sensitive to spacing and kerning of Arabic text, as well as to script styles, some of which are vehemently rejected (like Nastaliq by several Arabic authors). In 2012, basic Tasmeem settings for Emiri were developed and communicated to typesetters. In June and July of 2014, a more developed set of settings was defined which can be found below.

• The font sizes, Tasmeem presets, and Arabic spacing settings are different depending on the presence or absence of vowels. In the following, vocalised and unvocalised Arabic text will be treated separately. Even within one Arabic phrase, different Tasmeem presets and Arabic spacing settings must be applied for vocalised and unvocalised text.
• There are also differences between the settings for paragraphs that are entirely in Arabic, and ‘Latin’ (or ‘western’) paragraphs that contain a few Arabic words or phrases: mixed ‘Latin’-Arabic paragraphs.
• Finally, distinction must be made between body text and block quotation paragraphs, bibliography text, and footnote and indexes text.