Beyond the Latin Alphabet: Rethinking Typographic Access in Digital Spaces

Decolonizing Digital Typography: Unicode, Accessibility, and Indigenous Language Support

BFA Thesis

This case study explores the impact of Latin-based typographic systems on the representation of non-Latin scripts and Indigenous languages in digital spaces. It focuses on the role of Unicode and typographic design in promoting linguistic equity and accessibility, highlighting the efforts to overcome challenges and preserve linguistic diversity. The research advocates for decolonizing type design to ensure the inclusion of all languages in modern communication.

School: Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Program: Design + Illustration
Typography: Chivo by Héctor Gatti
Instructor: Mia Culbertson

In the digital age, text is the foundation of communication, yet not all languages and scripts are equally supported in digital environments. The dominance of Latin-based typographic systems has historically shaped the development of digital infrastructure, often marginalizing non-Latin scripts and Indigenous languages. Unicode, the universal standard for character encoding, plays a crucial role in linguistic accessibility by assigning unique code points to characters across diverse writing systems. However, gaps in Unicode support, combined with the complexities of encoding non-Latin scripts, continue to create barriers for linguistic representation online.

This study explores how the prioritization of Latin scripts in type design and computing has contributed to the digital exclusion of underrepresented languages, reinforcing colonial hierarchies in technological development. By examining the role of Unicode, UTF-8 encoding, and the technical challenges of supporting non-Latin characters, this research advocates for the decolonization of type design. Centering the work of designers and technologists from historically marginalized communities, this study underscores the importance of expanding typographic accessibility, ensuring that all languages, especially endangered and Indigenous ones, have a place in digital communication.

Decolonizing Digital Typography: Unicode, Accessibility, and Linguistic Equity

Unicode plays a fundamental role in digital accessibility by ensuring that every character, regardless of script, has a unique code point, allowing computers to store and process text from diverse languages. UTF-8, the most widely used encoding method, translates these code points into variable-length sequences of bytes, efficiently supporting both Latin and non-Latin scripts. However, due to the complexity of certain writing systems, non-Latin characters often require more storage space. While Latin-based scripts can often be represented using a single byte in older encodings like ASCII, scripts such as Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Cyrillic often need two or more bytes in Unicode-based encodings. This is not just a technical issue but a reflection of the historical prioritization of Latin script in digital infrastructure, which has shaped the accessibility and representation of global languages online.

This disparity in encoding connects directly to my thesis on decolonizing type design and advocating for greater inclusivity in digital typography. Many Indigenous and non-Western languages lack proper Unicode support, making it difficult to digitize, type, or preserve them in modern communication systems. Additionally, scripts that use logographic characters, right-to-left orientations, or complex ligatures are often marginalized in typographic design due to the added encoding and rendering challenges. By centering underrepresented scripts and designers, my research seeks to challenge the dominance of Latin-based systems and promote linguistic equity in digital spaces. Expanding Unicode support and designing typefaces for historically overlooked scripts is crucial in ensuring that digital platforms are inclusive, enabling communities to preserve their languages and cultural identities in the digital age.

Chivo and the Power of Open-Source Typography: Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Design

Omnibus Type, the foundry behind the Chivo typeface featured throughout my book design, is dedicated to expanding the accessibility of digital typography. Founded in 2011 as a cooperative, Omnibus Type brings together designers from Argentina and Mexico with the shared goal of creating high-quality typefaces that are both aesthetically refined and functionally adaptable. Chivo, designed by Héctor Gatti, embodies the foundry’s commitment to legibility and versatility, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. With its neo-grotesque structure and seven weight variations, Chivo provides a strong visual identity for my book while ensuring an optimal reading experience across print and digital formats.

The inclusion of Chivo in my project highlights the importance of showcasing type designers who prioritize accessibility and linguistic inclusivity. Omnibus Type’s work reflects a broader movement within the design community, one that seeks to bridge the gap between different languages, scripts, and communication needs. By offering free, open-source typefaces, the foundry ensures that high-quality typography is available to designers, brands, and communities worldwide, regardless of financial or technological barriers. Featuring Chivo not only enhances my book’s design but also aligns with my broader advocacy for equitable digital communication, recognizing type design as a crucial tool in preserving linguistic diversity and fostering more inclusive visual narratives.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Unicode, Typography, and Indigenous Language Accessibility

Unicode and digital typographic support play a crucial role in the preservation and accessibility of Indigenous Canadian Syllabics, ensuring that Indigenous communities can use their languages seamlessly across digital platforms. The "Indigenous Language Support, A Design Process" virtual lecture with Kevin King, hosted by Words of Type on March 21, 2025, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous language communities in maintaining digital accessibility. King, a type researcher and designer, has collaborated with Indigenous groups to address technical barriers such as incomplete Unicode representation, inadequate font support, and the absence of necessary keyboard layouts. These challenges hinder language revitalization efforts, as digital spaces, like smartphones, computers, and online platforms are essential for language engagement and transmission. Without proper typographic infrastructure, Indigenous languages face obstacles in being fully integrated into modern communication, which impacts both daily usage and long-term preservation.

The accessibility and preservation of Indigenous languages in digital spaces are intrinsically tied to Unicode support and typographic development. Indigenous communities across North America, particularly those using Canadian Syllabics, face significant challenges in accessing their languages on digital platforms due to incomplete Unicode representation, inadequate font support, and a lack of standardized keyboard layouts. These barriers limit the ability of Indigenous peoples to engage with their language online, affecting everyday communication, educational efforts, and broader language revitalization initiatives.

Designing for Language Sovereignty: Overcoming Typographic Barriers in Digital Spaces

Attending the "Indigenous Language Support, A Design Process" virtual lecture by Kevin King on March 21, 2025, through Words of Type reinforced the importance of overcoming these typographic and technical challenges. King, a type designer and researcher, emphasized how typography shapes orthography and affects comprehension. His work with Typotheque highlights how collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities can lead to the development of Unicode-compliant fonts that better support these languages. Typotheque’s initiatives with the Nattilik, Dakelh, and Haíɫzaqv communities exemplify this effort, providing digital language tools free of charge to reduce accessibility barriers and ensure the correct typographic representation of these languages across devices.

One of the fundamental issues Indigenous language communities face is the lack of full Unicode Standard representation. If characters are missing or inaccurately rendered in Unicode, Indigenous languages cannot be reliably used across digital platforms. As noted in Typotheque’s research, even when Unicode encoding exists, the lack of accurate font rendering and glyph representation can further hinder language use. In response, Typotheque has worked with Indigenous groups to propose additions and corrections to the Unicode Standard, such as encoding 16 additional characters for the Nattilik community and revising representative glyphs for the Dakelh language. However, even after successful proposals, delays in implementation across major operating systems remain a challenge.

Bridging Tradition and Technology: Enhancing Indigenous Language Support through Typography

Beyond Unicode encoding, local typographic preferences also play a crucial role in Indigenous language support. The standardized glyph representations provided by Unicode do not always align with the visual preferences of specific language communities. This discrepancy can affect readability and the cultural integrity of the written language. Typotheque addresses this issue by developing fonts that reflect the typographic preferences of communities such as the Nattilik, Dakelh, and Haíɫzaqv while maintaining technical compatibility with digital platforms. Their funding model, which reinvests revenue from font licensing and custom type development into Indigenous language support, ensures sustainable collaboration.

The urgency of this work is underscored by the ongoing decline in Indigenous language speakers, as reported in Canada’s 2021 Census. By contrast, the increase in new learners documented by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council suggests that with the right digital tools, language revitalization can thrive. While some revitalization efforts have yielded an increase in new learners, the long-term success of these programs depends on how seamlessly Indigenous languages can be integrated into daily digital communication. The ability to text, email, and interact online in one’s native language is vital for language transmission and community cohesion. Without proper digital infrastructure, Indigenous languages remain marginalized in an increasingly digital world.

As emphasized in King’s lecture, the technical and typographic challenges Indigenous communities face are not insurmountable but require dedicated collaboration between type designers, linguistic experts, and Indigenous language keepers. By addressing Unicode gaps, refining font development, and ensuring the availability of accessible digital tools, these efforts contribute to a broader movement of language sovereignty and revitalization. Strengthening Indigenous language support in digital spaces is not just a matter of technical precision but a crucial step toward cultural preservation and self-determination for Indigenous communities across North America.