Use Noto fonts for Indic (Indian language) scripts
This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.
Summary
Google Noto fonts for Indic (Indian) languages replace the default Lohit fonts
Owner
- Name: Jens Petersen
- Email: <petersen@redhat.com>
- Name: Sudip Shill
- Email: <sshil@redhat.com>
Current status
- Targeted release: Fedora Linux 39
- Last updated: 2023-06-26
- [<will be assigned by the Wrangler> devel thread]
- FESCo issue: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
- Tracker bug: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
- Release notes tracker: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
Detailed Description
Currently the Lohit fonts are installed and used by default for Indian languages (Indic scripts). However the Lohit project is essentially inactive and at best maintenance mode now. So we will change the default to Google's Noto fonts, which are available in multiple weights and both Sans and Serif faces, and also as variable fonts. This should provide a more flexible modern maintained set of fonts for Indic language scripts.
Feedback
There was some initial discussion on fonts list, etc: https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/fonts@lists.fedoraproject.org/thread/LEFRXQCTXXRENR3GJW3NERVPGQNMYDZZ/ which was generally positive.
This included:
- comparison screenshots: https://sshil.fedorapeople.org/lohit-vs-noto-comparison.html
- a copr repo for testing: http://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/coprs/sshil/indic-fonts-test
Benefit to Fedora
Wider range of Indic (Indian) fonts will be available by default as variable fonts in both sans and serif faces in various styles of weights.
Scope
- Proposal owners:
- update langpacks and default-fonts in comps @fonts from Lohit to the corresponding Noto Indic fonts
- update lorax to use Noto for Indic fonts
- update the Noto and Lohit fonts packages so that Noto Indic fonts have higher priority
- Other developers: N/A
- Release engineering: #Releng issue number
- Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
- Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
- Alignment with Community Initiatives:
Upgrade/compatibility impact
Lohit fonts will continue to be available, but assuming the default-fonts Change is implemented users will be moved to use Noto Indic fonts by default on upgrade.
How To Test
- install default/Noto fonts
- remove/install Lohit fonts
- test rendering of Indic scripts in applications/websites
User Experience
Dependencies
Contingency Plan
- Contingency mechanism: (What to do? Who will do it?) Change oweners will revert to use Lohit by default
- Contingency deadline: before final freeze
- Blocks release? Yes
Documentation
https://sshil.fedorapeople.org/lohit-vs-noto-comparison.html
Release Notes
Google Noto fonts are now installed and used for Indic scripts (Indian language) by default instead of Lohit fonts.