Catalog using Syriac script

Overview

Use Syriac script data for cataloging items in languages that use the Syriac script (for example, Aramaic and Syriac). Use Syriac script data the same way you use other non-Latin script data in the client.

See Work with international records and Guidelines for contributing non-Latin script bibliographic records to WorldCat for details specific to non- Latin scripts. See also general procedures describing how to:

• Search WorldCat
• Create records
• Edit records
• Use constant data
• Save records and search save files
• Report errors in records
• Export records
• Import records

Tools for using non-Latin scripts

UTF-8 Unicode export and import required for Syriac records

Because Syriac script is not included in MARC-8 character sets, you must export and import records in Unicode format (settings are in Tools > Options > Export and in File > Import Records/Options button).

About Unicode

Unicode is the universal character encoding scheme for written characters and text. It defines a consistent way of encoding multi-script text that enables the exchange of text data internationally.

Unicode provides for three encoding forms: a 32-bit form (UTF-32), a 16-bit form (UTF-16), and an 8-bit form (UTF-8, designed for use with ASCII-based systems).

Connexion client began supporting Syriac script with Unicode version 6.2.0.

Syriac script entry and character sets

Align Syriac script data for display and print

By default, the client displays (and prints) Syriac script with data aligned to the right. To toggle between displaying these scripts right-to-left or left-to-right:

To toggle alignment for all Syriac script data in the current record, click View > Align Right or press <Alt><V><I>. The data aligns to the right for display and printing. The Align Right icon next to the command on the View menu is active (highlighted) if Align Right is selected. The icon is inactive (grayed out) if Align Right is cleared.

To toggle data alignment in the current field, right-click a field and, on the pop-up menu, click Right-to-Left Reading Order. The client changes the alignment of the Syriac script data only in the current field.

Use Unicode formatting characters to control bidirectional data

Enter Unicode formatting characters in Syriac records to correctly display left-to-right multiple-digit numbers and punctuation, including brackets, hyphens, internal spaces, etc., within a field of right-to-left script data.

• Export/import using UTF-8 Unicode character set - Unicode formatting control characters are retained as is in Syriac records exported or imported using the UTF-8 Unicode character set, along with other non-MARC-8 Unicode characters.

1. Click to locate the cursor in the position where you want to insert a formatting control number.
2. Right-click in the field and then click Insert Unicode Control Character on the pop-up menu.
   Or
   Right-click to open the pop-up menu and then press the keystrokes shown in step 3.
3. Click one of the following characters or press the keystroke shortcuts, shown in parentheses:
   • LRM Left-to-Right Mark or press <Alt><R><L>
   • RLM Right-to-Left Mark or press <Alt><R><R>
   • ZWJ Zero Width Joiner or press <Alt><R><J>
   • ZWNJ Zero Width Non-Joiner or press <Alt><R><N>
   • LRE Start of Left-to-Right Embedding or press <Alt><R><S>
   • RLE Start of Right-to-Left Embedding or press <Alt><R><T>
   • LRO Start of Left-to-Right Override or press <Alt><R><A>
   • RLO Start of Right-to-Left Override or press <Alt><R><F>
   • PDF Pop Directional Formatting or press <Alt><R><P>
    

    Note: Create a text string using Tools > Text Strings; click Add and enter one of the characters listed above using the right-click menu. Then use the Text Strings quick tool on the toolbar to enter the character.
   Or
   Assign the text string to a keystroke shortcut. Enter the character by pressing the keystroke.

Example: To control the display of the data 742[1981 or 1982] that you enter in field 260 ‡c, and that is preceded and to be followed by Syriac script data:

1. Click to locate the cursor in field 260 ‡c.
2. Right-click in the field, click Insert Unicode Control Character on the pop-up menu, and then click LRE Start of Left- to-Right Embedding.
3. Enter the data string, 742[1981 or 1982], immediately following the character.
4. Without moving the cursor, right-click in the field again. On the pop-up menu, click Insert Unicode Control Character and then click PDF Pop Directional Formatting.

Use Syriac definite article in Syriac script searches

Always include the Syriac definite article  ('alif laam) in all words in a keyword search.

Indexing for Syriac script searches

Required system font

The Arial Unicode Microsoft font does not support the Syriac script. In Windows, Microsoft provides the Estrangelo Edessa to support Syriac.