Compatible fonts for Karen

I'm facing a project into Karen to be done in MemSource and was wondering whether I need to ask it to replace the target font or not. Also, any experience of what would be a suitable font for such a strange set of characters?
Thanks! :confused:

Hi Gentle
How you doing?
Well, I did Karen some time ago... I think the most familiar fonts for Karen are the Zawgyi familiy...
I´d try by filling in with this font in the blank space you have when requested about particular fonts.

I usually do this for Chinese, Burmese, Karen, etc.

Anyways, once the project is "Complete" I always send the document in its original file format to the native translator, to make sure everything looks fine. I even asked them to create a pdf for me, to be 100% sure Im sending a correct version to client...

Let me know if this works...

Hi Ana Laura, I agree with you. When it comes to handle translations into languages with complex symbols like Karen, I usually have the final word file revised by the translator (Another solution would be learning Karen;))

Gentle, I usually use the KNU Font for Karen in particular.

However, After having done projects into Burmese and Karen, I find memsource more..."friendly" with Burmese, in terms of preserving the complexity.

Thank you both for your tips!

I finally uploaded the files with a mix of both of you. I took from Ana Laura the tip on asking MemSource to replace the font, and from Nabyl I picked the KNU. It worked fine but only for both MS Word versions (either the MS Word side-by-side or the final completed output). It wasn't the same for the editor (neither the Web, nor the desktop one). It seems MemSource's team is working on enabling these languages with more unusual characters shortly. This means translators will be able to see characters the right way even on the MemXliff file.

Oh, I see.
So, gentle, you are saying you could see it well on the MS Word files but you couldn´t see the text correctly in the xliff, either the editor or the online version...? :confused:

You cannot see the text correctly in the xliff because these are different chars that only turns readable with KNU font (or another font for Karen, I don't know other), you see, for example "XAtpSRvXtd.'D;w>ymyeD.AvXw" and this is a Karen phrase that you can see applying the KNU font, Memsource doesn't have KNU font in its editor.

Ahhh, that makes all sense now Salvador.
Thank you for the explanation, that helps a lot!! So, I guess that applies for most "rare" languages? like Karen, Burmese...

I confirm you are right Salvador. For instance, from this "XAtpSRvXtd.'D;w>ymyeD.AvXw" you can get the karen symbols applying the KNU.
AnaLaura, it does apply for burmese as well, even though I consider Karen much more "tricky".

MemSource Support is trying to fix this bug in the editor, but they need a Unicode font (which KNU is not!). I've googled and found Padauk may apply; however, I'm not 100% sure whether it is Unicode or not. SEAlang Library Burmese - Karen - Mon - Shan Font Notes

Let me know if you have any other to suggest.

Hi guys
thank you for the bonus track :)
We know that in the meantime, it´s safe to send translators the complete version so that they can make sure everything looks as it should be :)

Hi gentle!
As far as I know, Padauk is 100% Unicode. In fact, I've checked some sites where they affirm so, i.e. Padauk Font

Hi guys
well, so the next thing would be testing some Karen project with this font Padauk, and see if that works. A few days ago I did the knu font thing in Memsource and it worked. However, when I sent it to the native translators there were so many things in the wrong place that it was a whole challenge to fix it all over again. So far, I don´t feel comfortable doing Karen in Memsource... unless the format is too simple, it´s been very risky.
If you know any other way... plz share!

Thanks Ana! I actually used your tutorial and worked perfectly for me. One thing to consider though is that, if you get something in Karen and you don't have the correct font in display, the actual paper might look odd, that's why I always like to have a pdf version as well, just in case.

Breaking news from the MemSource Support Team is that both the desktop and web versions of their Editor started supporting Karen a few weeks ago. It's time we tried it and see how it works! :cool:

Although both versions of their Editor support Karen now, for those who use Windows 7, you may still have to install one of the fonts for Karen. Users of Windows 8.1 and 10 can already start handling Karen with their Editors. Thank you gentle for bringing this new info up:)

Hi guys

well, this should be really good news...Though I´d like to try it first before start enjoying, I had really had times with projects into Karen. :)
I was thinking of doing some tests with some old project, just to see how it works in Memsource now.
Let´s keep each other updated on this, if anyone else learns something new.

:)

Great news gentle! Hope this helps me in the near future.Cheers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by malterio

Great news gentle! Hope this helps me in the near future.Cheers.

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Apparently not so! I'm asking MemSource support to shed some light. A friend of mine told he had the chance with a new project but has not been able to make it work.

Well, at least for me, using the latest version, sadly, it looks like it still does not work. :(

Hi team!
How you doing?

Well, I tried, again, and I haven´t experienced much difference from the previous Memsource version... It´s been pretty much the same, that means, Im still having trouble in doing projects into Karen...
Anyone knows something different?
:)

Hi,
Just a comment about Karen in Memsource. So far, replacing the font is not a good option when exporting. I needed to change a text from KNU to Standard and Memsource changed it just as when I changed the font in the Word. The result was not good and we had to retype many things.