ศาลาชุมนุม

[Gillian]

Is there a comparitive keyboard table for Thai cursive script and Thai block script?

I find it difficult to check the script from that given in prose, found in the 62 character styles in the Reference section.

Does the keyboard program cope with this.

[Gillian]

First of all, I don't know how to reply to a private message by David and Bui that is supposedly on the messageboard, but isn't.

My question was about standard block script and what I call cursive script. I don't mean joined-up writing like we have in English. This could be difficult without a totally different method of forming letters that have 'tails'.

I just compared the first of the 62 graphic styles with the 44 letters of the associated pangram. Two of the letters No. 8 and No.16 of the Thai consonant table are almost indistinguishable from each other, and the Roman letter S. How is one supposed to know the difference except by context?

[David and Bui]

I am unable to change the fonts in http://www.thai-language.com/ref/typographical-styles . I don't know if my browser is having difficulty or whether the site is malfunctioning. Is anyone else having this difficulty?

However, the font that currently shows on screen - the first font - I believe illustrates Gillian's question.

In the first like is the word ประเสริฐ. The last two consonants in this word look strikingly similar, ignoring the curlicue under the last consonant. the first of these two is "ร" and the second is "ฐ".

In the fifth line is the word โกรธ. Here the last two consonants also look similar. The penultimate consonant is again "ร" and the final is "ธ". In this font sent, "ธ" has the same body shape as "ฐ", save for the curlicue.

Note, however, that the bottom portion of the "ร" in this font sent is identical to the top portion, giving a shape which does indeed resemble the English "S". On the other hand, the bottom portion of the "ธ" and "ฐ" is slightly elongated and narrower than the upper portion.

I don't think that context is necessary to distinguish these elements, although it is certainly true that this font set does not highlight differences. I do not give these types of fonts high marks for legibility.

[Rick Bradford]

I have trouble reading 'modern' fonts and also the Gothic-style font used in some places for religious purposes.

I remember seeing an excellent online page showing the Thai consonants in 20 or so different fonts.

Does anyone know where that resource is located?

[David and Bui]

Rick,

Try here: http://www.learningthai.com/thaifonts.html

and the individual pages where the fonts are shown in the form of letters of the alphabet.

[David and Bui]

Glenn has now repaired his fonts page at:

http://www.thai-language.com/ref/typographical-styles

You can click on any of the font boxes to see a fuller version of a particular font.

[Rick Bradford]

A great resource.

Thanks Glenn and David.