Fwd: [bidi] Re: math in arabic -- w3c mathml group looking for contributions (fwd)

[Nadim Shaikli <shaikli at yahoo dot com>]

This email came through a forward from Behdad Esfahbod via the
fribidi mailing-list.

This is an important topic which Arabeyes has long preached for
and that is our collective need for more involvement in various
standards bodies/groups out there.

Any takers (else I'll start naming names :-) ?

Salam.

 - Nadim

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 14:53:09 -0500
> From: Asmus Freytag <asmusf at ix dot netcom dot com>
> To: bidi at unicode dot org
> Cc: Robert Miner <RobertM at dessci dot com>
> Subject: [bidi] Re: math in arabic -- w3c mathml group looking for
>     contributions
> 
> All,
> 
> I got this message recently that may be of interest to members of this
> group. To follwo up, please contact Robert as needed.
> 
> A./
> 
> >Hello All.
> >
> >One area where MathML is lacking is a specification of how it should
> >be used in right-to-left languages, particularly Arabic.
> >
> >This issue came up during the work on MathML 2.0, and resulted in the
> >addition of section 3.1.5.  This section says that the Unicode
> >bidirectional algorithm should be followed for the text within token
> >elements, but that MathML 2.0 doesn't address the general question of
> >right-to-left layout.  The reason for that was simply that, the Math
> >Working Group was unable to find enough examples and/or experts in the
> >time available to be confident an attempt to describe how MathML
> >should work in right-to-left text would get it right.
> >
> >Since then, however, a several groups have looked at using MathML in
> >Arabic, and a number more have expressed interest in being able to do
> >so.  Consequently, the current Math Interest Group believes the time
> >is ripe to start a public discussion of the issue, with the goals of:
> >
> >1) Involving enough people from right-to-left language communities,
> >    particularly Arabic-speaking, to be able to make an authoritative
> >    statement about how math should be handled.
> >
> >2) Assuming 1 can be done, compiling an authoritative statement of
> >    the rules of right-to-left math typesetting, and specifically how
> >    MathML should be used for right-to-left mathematics.
> >
> >3) Assuming 1 and 2 can be accomplished, preparing a document with
> >    official status to disseminate the result of 1 and 2 such as a W3C
> >    Note, or perhaps a new version of MathML at some point.
> >
> >To get things started, I invite anyone with expert knowledge of math
> >in Arabic or other right-to-left languages to post a brief
> >introductory message.  Pointers to examples, articles, projects or
> >other useful background information would be especially welcome.  If
> >you aren't yourself an expert, but know someone who is, please draw
> >their attention to this discussion.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >--Robert
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------
> >Dr. Robert Miner                                RobertM at dessci dot com
> >W3C Math Interest Group Co-Chair                      651-223-2883
> >Design Science, Inc.   "How Science Communicates"   www.dessci.com
> >------------------------------------------------------------------
>



		
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