Re: OT: YAGTT

Actually, it's hand-set type which has kerns that
can break off. The Linotype machine assembles
molds (one for each letter in a line), then casts a
bar of type from the assembled molds. Because
the molds can't overlap each other, f's are designed
(or redesigned) so they don't overlap.

The image you posted appears to have been set
on a Linotype. Notice how the crossbar on the f
and the bottom serif have been lengthened, so
the top loop doesn't overlap the next letter. The
f-ligatures are not needed here, but are used only
for aesthetic reasons. (And I will agree that they
make a much better looking page.)

The ligatures have their own key on the keyboard,
so the operator has to remember to use them. If
they seem to be at random (as in your example),
it may be because the operator was careless in
remembering to use them. I don't believe there
are any thin spaces used here. It's just the normal
spacing of letters in this font.

--Ph. D.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Henrik Theiling" <theiling@...>
To: <CONLANG@...>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: OT: YAGTT


> Hi!
>
> Lars Mathiesen writes:
>> 2008/7/28 Henrik Theiling <theiling@...>
>>
>>> Mark J. Reed writes:
>>> > Huh?  In a font with an fi ligature, every instance of f followed by i
>>> > is ligatured, regardless of morpheme boundaries.
>>>
>>  Not by German typesetting rules, that's the point.
>>>
>>  Umm, if the point is that the kern of the f will break off the type
>> if used before i, f, or t on a Linotype machine, wouldn't you have
>> to use a ligature regardless of the sensibilities of the German
>> spelling authorities?
>
> Well, I have no idea.
>
>> ... Or would German printers insert a thin space in such a situation
>> to keep the f out of harm's way?
>
> My wife just gave me a book that was printed with metal letters.  It
> has fi, ff, fl and ft ligatures.  Except for the f+i case, I found all
> in both the ligated and the separated form.  fi without a ligature
> seems to be really rare in German.  But from the others it indeed
> looks like a thin space.  See for yourself, I took some pictures:
>
>    http://www.theiling.de/ligaturen/
>
> **Henrik

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