On signs, lists and standardisation

Abstract

To make hieratic texts more accessible and readable, Egyptologists usually transcribe them into hieroglyphs. But to what extent are our hieroglyphic signs-lists and fonts actually appropriate to represent hieratic script? In the scientific analysis of hieratic texts, the experience is that hieroglyphic fonts often do not offer adequate font-types for the signs encountered. The question then arises whether we develop new font-types to add to the hieroglyphic repertoire for signs, which as hieroglyphs in fact do not exist, or whether, especially considering we live in a digital age, the time has come to analyze hieratic script in its own right and come up with a repertoire and font specifically fit it? How could or should such a repertoire and font be organized? Proposals for a reorganization of the hieroglyphic repertoire seem to have much in common with a structure for the hieratic repertoire AKU is currently developing. The paper presents work in progress, one year after the start of the AKU-Project.