[arabic-vip] Initial list of issues and questions

[Dr.Sarmad Hussain]

Dear All,

As per the discussion in the meeting on 18th June, we met again on 19th June
to discuss the issues.  Here is a summary of our initial discussion for
further feedback:

1.  Extra normalization - composed and decomposed forms not considered
equivalent by Unicode
2. Optional combining marks - aerab (e.g. fatha, damma, kasra, shadda, etc.)
3. Conflated combining marks - alif, vao, yeh, hah with and without hamza;
alif with and without madda, etc.
4. Two characters/unicodes with same shape in a particular position
(initial, medial, final or isolated), e.g. arabic and persian kaf; yay; etc.
5. Two characters/unicodes with similar shape; e.g. swash and other kaf; tay
marbuta and hay, etc.
6. ZWNJ with characters which do not change shape perceptibly
7. mechanisms for documenting these cases for eventual comparisons to
determine variant TLDs

Following issues were pended for consideration until the associated
questions are responded by ICANN staff and consultants:

1. Confusion caused by digits - Question: Though digits are relevant for
labels, are they relevant issue for TLDs?
2. Specification of "language" table - Question: The way the table is
defined in the documents circulated by ICANN in the context of IDN Variants
project may not be relevant for Arabic, but should the team consider
defining the proper table format an issue? How is the concept of table
relevant for TLDs (as it is normally not used for catering to labels at the
top level).
3. Blocking, reserving, etc. are strategies being discussed in the documents
circulated by ICANN. Question: How are they related to the variant issues?
 Are these strategies part of the problem or part of the solution for
variants?  If latter, should they be discussed at this stage of the project
where only issues are being considered?

The following sources of variations would not be considered:

1. Homophones
2. Bidirectional issues (as they are not relevant for a TLD, but to the
complete domain name)
3. writing style - as this is largely a font issue


We look forward to the feedback on all the items.  We request feedback on
the second set of questions by ICANN staff and consultants.

regards,
Sarmad
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