Resources for Nastaliq input Nastaliq script is beautiful but it's difficult for computers to render. Typing in Nastaliq can also be rather difficult. I think this is why so many people use Roman char

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Sam

Resources for Nastaliq input

Nastaliq script is beautiful but it's difficult for computers to render. Typing in Nastaliq can also be rather difficult. I think this is why so many people use Roman characters to write in Urdu, e.g, writing "meraa naam Sam hai" instead of "میرا نام سیم ہے". Fortunately, there are new tools to help with the input -- so, assuming you've learned to read Nastaliq, there's no longer any excuse to write Urdu in Roman characters! (If you haven't learned Nastaliq, I would suggest the Richard Delacy book "Teach Yourself Urdu Script," which I found very helpful).

First, Google Input Tools makes it easy to convert phonetic Roman characters to Nastaliq output. So, for example, typing "Urdu" results in the output اردو. You can download the appropriate tools here: http://www.google.com/inputtools/windows/. Instructions in Urdu are here: http://www.google.com/intl/ur/inputtools/

Second, Google has just released a beautiful new Nastaliq font. It is much nearer to proper, handwritten Nastaliq than other fonts. You can read about it here: http://behdad.org/urdu/

.... and download it here: http://googledevelopers.blogspot.com/2014/11/i-can-get-another-if-i-break-it.html

I have not yet experimented with the new font but it looks promising.

I hope that over time these tools will allow all of us to easily type in beautiful Nastaliq!

Comments · 5

Hey,

Thanks for the links :)

when I started learning urdu I was surprised that people don't use Nastaliq script in social media. It is actually more difficult for me to use roman letter (maybe because my native language is arabic ). I cant match the sound with the right roman letter, plus there's so many ways you can write one word using roman letter which makes it difficult for people who are learning the language.

I really hope that all software add the Nastaliq script to their language keyboard. I even wrote to apple to add the Nastaliq script in there keyboard :P :) u guys can write them too maybe they will add it.

Very interesting, Nacir! I will check out the other fonts you recommend. As for the Google one, I think it's still in draft form, so maybe if you leave your comments on the site they will make some improvements.

Hi, Sam

I have seen that example of a verse by Ghalib written in Google Nastaliq Font. It is good but not so good. It has different proportions and the movement of pen and angles are not normal. For example, the circle of laam is a bit smaller than usual. I rather like jameel noori or alvi nastaleeq fonts.

Nacir sahib -- Thanks for providing the additional link. I am surprised that you do not like the Google Nastaliq font. Have you seen the new one they just released a few days ago? It's at http://googledevelopers.blogspot.com/2014/11/i-can-get-another-if-i-break-it.html

Google Nastaliq font does not look beautiful.

I think, you cannot input nastaliq using a keyboard but only Urdu characters. For that, you must have installed "Urdu keyboard". The fonts are displayed by the software you are using. Often the fonts can be changed from the drop down menu. For this you must download "Urdu fonts". Personally I find alvi and Jameel noori nastaliq fonts the most beautiful fonts.

You can download phonetic Urdu keyboard and Urdu fonts from this link:

www.urdu.ca

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