repha+ vocalic r in Kannada and Bangla

[sridatta1]

As per Unicode, the graphical forms with repha and vocalic vowels should be represented using RA + vowel sign vocalic R, instead of RA + Virama + Vocalic vowel. This is already supported in Tiro Devanagari fonts, should be supported in Kannada and Bangla fonts (as Repha is not used in Modern Telugu).

See section 5 of https://unicode.org/L2/L2017/17423-core-spec-indic.pdf The placement of repha in Bangla needs to be confirmed based on conventions.

[tiroj]

Thank you. Do you know if Unicode is going to update the core text for these and other scripts to include specific description and illustration of these behaviours?

With regard to the placement of repha on Bangla vocalic R, the example shown in the linked document

looks like a possible technical limitation of the metal type, e.g. no kern space above the vocalic R letter so the repha is positioned on a spacing sort to the right of the letter. Have you seen any manuscript examples? I opted to position the repha on the right-most vertical stroke on the basis that this stroke is an intrinsic part of the letter and not an add-on to the left part, so repha position should follow that for other letters with a right vertical.

[sridatta1]

Do you know if Unicode is going to update the core text for these and other scripts to include specific description and illustration of these behaviours?

I don't think Unicode is going to update the descriptions in the next version of core specification, unless it is specifically requested to the UTC

[tiroj]

Thanks. I will mention it to Roozbeh and the SAH folk.

[tiroj]

To confirm, should the pattern for Bengali and Kannada follow that for Devanagari for all four vocalic vowels with Ra, not just vocalic r?

[sridatta1]

Yes, That is what is recommended in the core specification

[tiroj]

Bangla now testable with v160beta.yml build path.