Wolfgang (off-list),

It is simply wrong to say that \italicface as defined gives only \it or \bi as a result. Look at the definition. If the current fontalternative is it \it it will give a \tf result. It is sensitive to the current state in a similar way that \em and \emph are, but it will always give an italic or roman result.

--
Rik

Rik Kabel via ntg-context schrieb am 27.09.2021 um 00:20:

So, I am asking whether, in places where folks often use style=italic, it might be better to consider style=italicface.

Bug report: \meaning\italicface gives:

protected macro:\relax \ifx \fontalternative \s!tf \it \orelse \ifx \fontalternative
\s!bf \bi \else \tf \fi

This leaves out the transition from bi to bf. That transition is done by \emph, but \emph may give slanted while \italicface is always italic.

The \italicface command uses either \it or \bi as result but it never result in upright text and the "italic" in the name tells you this, there are commands (e.g. \boldface) with similar results. To get a slanted style you have to use the \slantedface command.

Wolfgang

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