arabtext in Context

arabtext in Context

[R. Ermers]

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Hi Context users,

A number of flaws in the ArabicTeX support for ConteXt (working under Miktex) have kept me from migrating to Context thus far. I guess I am not the only one. I sincerely hope that they can be fixed!

Kind regards.

Robert Ermers

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This is pdfeTeX, Version 3.141592-1.11b-2.1 (MiKTeX 2.4) (preloaded format=cont-en 2004.1.4)  7 JAN 2004 23:13
entering extended mode
**cont-ar-text.tex
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ConTeXt  ver: 2004.1.2  fmt: 2004.1.4  int: english  mes: english

language       : language en is active
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loading        : Context Font Macros / ArabTeX support
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\arabtex.sty
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\aconfig.sty 3.08 get ArabTeX configuration 
(01.11.1998)) 3.09 ArabTeX main module (18.07.1999)
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\acmd.sty 3.09 Arabic command processing 
(17.07.1999)) (J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\afonts.sty)
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\ascan.sty 3.09 standard ZDMG input encoding 
(17.07.1999) scanner for code `arabtex' installed.
input encoding set to ArabTeX conventions.)
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\aparse.sty 3.09 get syllables  (19.07.1999))
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\awrite.sty 3.08 build output word  (24.10.1998)
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(15.07.1998)) (J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\arabskel.sty
3.08 character skeleton definitions  (01.11.1998))
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3.09 character skeleton definitions  (17.07.1999))
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\arabtoks.sty 3.09 ArabTeX CS token definitions 
(17.07.1999)) (J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\arabchrs.sty
3.07 letter token definitions  (11.07.1998))
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\aboxes.sty 3.09 build output boxes (17.07.1999))
) (J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\aligs.sty 3.09 compute ligatures (17.07.1999))
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\aoutput.sty 3.05 build output lines
(05.05.1997)) (J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\abidir.sty
3.07 bidirectional linebreaking (12.03.1998))
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\atrans.sty 3.09 generate the transliteration 
(16.07.1999) ZDMG transliteration.) (J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\alatex.sty)
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\abjad.sty 3.09 abjad numerals  (17.07.1999))
(J:\tex\localtexmf\tex\arabtex\apatch.sty 3.09g last minute patches 
(13.05.2001))
arabtex        : Arabic processor `ArabTeX' [20010513 patch level 3.09g (13.05.
2001)]
arabtex        : ... now be patient ... 
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section        : 1 Invoking Arabic in Context
. > . . . . . . . . . . . . >
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section        : 2 Transcription issues
>
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subsection     : 2.1 hamza and 'ayn
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subsection     : 2.2 The command \type {cap}
[1.1] [2.2]
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\setupbodyfont[arb]
\setarab
\setxnash

\define[1]\arterm{{\arabfalse \transtrue \<#1>}}

\starttext

\section{Invoking Arabic in Context}
In the Arabtex package, written by Klaus Lagally, Arabic text can be introduced in two ways:

The first is a brief notation, i.e. \type{\<}, for single words or short phrases: \type{\<mu.hammad>}, e.g. \<mu.hammad>. With and without vocalization etc.
\blank
Or \type{\<mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d" + i_d yaqUm zayd + A_d zyd q"aAm>}, resulting in: \<mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d" + i_d yaqUm zayd + A_d zyd q"aAm>\footnote{\<mu.hammad>.}

\blank

The second is the environment \type{\startarabic} for entire paragraphs:
\blank
\starttyping
\startarabic
mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d" + i_d yaqUm zyd + A_d zyd q"aAm
\stoparabic
\stoptyping

Which results in:

\startarabic
mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d" + i_d yaqUm zyd + A_d zyd q"aAm
\stoparabic

\blank

Second test:

\startarabic
mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d" + i_d yaqUm zyd + A_d zyd q"aAm
\stoparabic


{\em As can be seen, the command generates a brief sequence of nonsensical Arabic. I hope this can be fixed!}

\blank

%Short and long lists alike work flawlessly:

%\startitemize[1., packed]
%\item \<al-maq.sad>?
%\item \<mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d">
%\stopitemize

%\startitemize[1., packed]
%\item \<Al|ll_ah akbar>
%\item \<.himAyaT>, nog iets in het Nederlands.
%\item \<.himAyaT>, nog iets in het Nederlands.
%\item \<mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d">
%%%\item {\transtrue \arabfalse \<mu.hammad 'i_d q"Am zay"d">}
%%%\item {\arabtrue \transfalse \<.himAyaT>}, nog iets in het Nederlands.
%\item \<.himAyaT>, nog iets in het Nederlands.
%\item \<mu.hammad 'i_d q"aAm zay"d">
%\stopitemize

\section{Transcription issues}

With the Arabtex package it is possible to generate a transcription based on the same input by means of the command \type{\transtrue}. (The Arabic script can be switched off altogether with \type{\arabicfalse}.) The transcription is indispensible in scholarly work. An example of a transcription is \type{\arabfalse \transtrue \<madInaT, makkaT>} \arabfalse \transtrue \<madInaT, makkaT>.

\subsection{hamza and 'ayn}
However, if the input contains a \type{\<`>} or \type{\<'>}, the signs for {\em `ayn} and {\em hamza}, Context gets stuck, e.g. \type{\arabfalse \transtrue \<`abd al-qAdir>} and \type{\<'a.hmad>} do not work. The transcription of \type{\<`>} is something like al raised c, whereas that of \type{\<'>} is an inverted c. The ones Lagally has devised are very beautiful.

\blank

\subsection{The command \type{cap}}
Furthermore, the command \type{\cap} does not seem to work. (In transcription mode, the command \type{\cap} changes the first letter into a capital.), e.g. \type{\transtrue \arabfalse \<\cap zakariyA, \cap bayrUt, \cap dima^sq>}.

So \type{\<\cap mu.hammad>} should result in {\it Mu\d{h}ammad}, etc.
\blank
All these flaws in the Arabic support still prevent me from migrating to Context, even though the interface is superior. I really do hope someone can fix them.

\blank

Robert Ermers

System: Miktex, most recent version of Context, downloaded 04-01.2004.

Find the log file attached.
\stoptext

Re: arabtext in Context

[Hans Hagen]

At 23:17 07/01/2004, you wrote:
>Hi Context users,
>
>A number of flaws in the ArabicTeX support for ConteXt (working under 
>Miktex) have kept me from migrating to Context thus far. I guess I am not 
>the only one. I sincerely hope that they can be fixed!

when i process your file here, it looks ok, can you check the pdf file i'll 
you? maybe you're running some odd combination of arabtex and context

Hans

Re: arabtext in Context

[Idris Samawi Hamid]

I'll take a look at this when I can. Note that some of the "flaws" may 
actually be features since ArabTeX was largely designed with LaTeX in 
mind. Some of the internal ArabTeX macros (like verses.sty) use LaTeX 
commands like \mbox. I modified verses.sty for use in ConTeXt with my own 
(under heavy development) Arabic package that is already much more 
versatile (and beautiful;->) than ArabTeX. If u're willing to try out 
eomega in ConTeXt there is another rudimentary Arabic package already 
available for ConTeXt that I described to this list a few months back, but 
it uses a bland font and a different transcription scheme (still worth 
checking out though). My own package is based on the ArabTeX transcription 
but is not ready for general release yet.

But I'll try to look at your problem towards the end of this month.

Best
Idris


On Wed, 7 Jan 2004 23:17:11 +0100, R. Ermers <r.ermers@hccnet.nl> wrote:

> A number of flaws in the ArabicTeX support for ConteXt


-- 
Professor Idris Samawi Hamid
Department of Philosophy
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523

Re: arabtext in Context

[R. Ermers]

Dear Idris,

Thanks for your offer.
I am considering a transfer to Context. I guess I'll have to patient a bit
longer.
Of course would like to give your package a try (and comment on it).
However, I am not quite sure about getting involved in Omega. I tried it
before and could not get it right.
In case you need any help: let me know!

Thanks again!

Robert Ermers
The Netherlands

----- Oorspronkelijk bericht -----
Van: Idris Samawi Hamid <ishamid@colostate.edu>
Aan: <ntg-context@ntg.nl>
Verzonden: donderdag 8 januari 2004 23:43
Onderwerp: Re: [NTG-context] arabtext in Context


> I'll take a look at this when I can. Note that some of the "flaws" may
> actually be features since ArabTeX was largely designed with LaTeX in
> mind. Some of the internal ArabTeX macros (like verses.sty) use LaTeX
> commands like \mbox. I modified verses.sty for use in ConTeXt with my own
> (under heavy development) Arabic package that is already much more
> versatile (and beautiful;->) than ArabTeX. If u're willing to try out
> eomega in ConTeXt there is another rudimentary Arabic package already
> available for ConTeXt that I described to this list a few months back, but
> it uses a bland font and a different transcription scheme (still worth
> checking out though). My own package is based on the ArabTeX transcription
> but is not ready for general release yet.
>
> But I'll try to look at your problem towards the end of this month.
>
> Best
> Idris
>
>
> On Wed, 7 Jan 2004 23:17:11 +0100, R. Ermers <r.ermers@hccnet.nl> wrote:
>
> > A number of flaws in the ArabicTeX support for ConteXt
>
>
> --
> Professor Idris Samawi Hamid
> Department of Philosophy
> Colorado State University
> Fort Collins, CO 80523
> _______________________________________________
> ntg-context mailing list
> ntg-context@ntg.nl
> http://www.ntg.nl/mailman/listinfo/ntg-context
>

Re: arabtext in Context

[Idris Samawi Hamid]

On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 20:50:27 +0100, R. Ermers <r.ermers@hccnet.nl> wrote:

> However, I am not quite sure about getting involved in Omega. I tried it
> before and could not get it right.

Note that I said ``eomega'':-), soon to be Aleph. Giuseppe and others have 
spearheaded an effort to take the best of Omega and combine it with eTeX 
in a stable, usable package. The latest eomega already largely fulfills 
this promise, and you can try the basic package announced to the list. 
Join the Aleph list if you can; it's pretty low volume.

> In case you need any help: let me know!

As soon as our own (Alan Hoenig and myself) package reaches the point 
where we can release a test package, I'll announce it here and let you 
know. (The main issue holding up a release is the use of a proprietary 
font, and font work is sooooo time-consuming, not to mention my regular 
work).

Best
Idris

-- 
Professor Idris Samawi Hamid
Department of Philosophy
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523