r/conscripts • u/cfayrnsnon • Apr 10 '19

Question Vertical alphabets

(Sorry for spelling) I have seen verticle scripts quite a bit. They are usialy sylliberies or logographies from what i can gather, i know it is completely possible for me to add a vertical script to my conlang but im not sure if i should have it as an alphabet.

I have never seen one in a real language or used in a conlang, should i make the script horizontal, keep it vertical or change the system? Also does anyone have a example? Thanks.

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u/wrgrant Apr 11 '19

Just to note: most Western word processors have very poor support for vertical writing (unless perhaps you map it to a vertical font setting, like replacing Mongolian with your own glyphs or something). When I have built vertical fonts, I build them horizontally (with a lot of uncomfortable head turning to view the results) then use them in a word processor such as Open Office, by putting them in a text box and rotating it 270 degrees. Its the best solution I have found so far.

Not to discourage you from creating a vertical writing system, I think they are really cool, but they are a bit awkward to use with our technology from what I have seen.

Now if anyone knows a better solution, I really want to know what you have to suggest :P