Re: [gtk-list] Re: PyGTK + Khmer Unicode + Win32 == possible ?

[mpsuzuki hiroshima-u ac jp]

Hi,

On Sat, 1 Apr 2006 22:19:28 +0300
Tor Lillqvist <tml iki fi> wrote:
> > I heard their Unicode keymap is different from existing keymaps
> > (ABC, Limon, etc) for non-Unicode legacy fonts.
>
>Huh? Can you explain more? 

Sorry for my poor English.

Before Unicode standardization of Khmer scripts,
there was no official support of Khmer script in
MS Windows, and several incompatible encodings
were used to localize for Cambodia. I'm unfamilar
with MacOS case (although Macintosh Script Manager
reserved a code for Khmer script, I don't know
Apple's official language kit for Khmer)

The localization was usually done by installation
of keymap file and Khmer TrueType font. There was
no Cambodian national standard for keymap & character
encoding (this is big difference from Thai case),
the localizers invented their own keymap & encoding
and distributed. Due to lack of intelligent text
layout system like OpenType, these keymap & encoding 
are designed to discriminate characters by their shapes,
and input in the order of presentation. This strategy
is different from Unicode that discriminate characters
phonetically and input in the phonetic order.
You can find small comparison of Unicode keymap and
"non-Unicode" keymap:
	http://projects.thedanielmay.com/khmerfonts/input-unicode.htm

Yet I'm not sure about future standardization of
Khmer keyboard, my anxiety is "if Microsoft creates
'new' keymap for Windows Vista, it confuses people".
This document might be helpful.
	http://www.bauhahnm.clara.net/Khmer/Welcome.html#KHMERKEYBOARD

I wish if I'm understanding your question correctly.


Regards,
mpsuzuki