Cramped words and letter spacing in NAEE

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This document shows examples of words that can look cramped in Taamey D even when no stroke overlaps.

We group these words into families based on the circumstances that might cause the cramping. A word can be in more than one family. The families provide candidates for visual judgment rather than an exhaustive inventory of cramped words.

In each example, the word is shown with usual spacing above and added spacing (0.06em extra letter spacing) below. In the summary table, “spacing” gives the spacing NAEE uses for the examples in each family. NAEE automatically expands words in the first three families.

The last two families are for visual trials: adjacent narrow letters with below-marks, and qof with below-marks on itself and its predecessor. These descriptions select many words, including ordinary-looking ones; they have not been adopted as automatic spacing rules. A word in either trial family still receives automatic spacing if it also belongs to one of the first three families.

Counts cover Scripture in NAEE, including ketiv and qere. Counts distinguish different spellings and pointing, including accent marks; occurrences count each appearance. Words in notes and words with special letters (small, large, or hung) are excluded. Adding the family totals would double-count words that belong to more than one family.

A wide vowel and accent on a narrow letter

In this family of words, yod or vav carries both a wide below-vowel and a below-accent. The vowel dots and accent share a narrow letter’s space. This family is expanded automatically in NAEE.

Showing 3 examples from 613 distinct pointed words (1,547 occurrences).

Words where Taamey D adds spacing

In this family of words, Taamey D adds space in particular combinations of narrow letters and below-marks, near final descending letters, and where a ḥataf vowel precedes an accented narrow letter. NAEE gives these words its additional spacing as well. These examples show the six observed combinations selected from the font’s spacing rules.

Showing 6 examples from 1,609 distinct pointed words (3,515 occurrences).

A raised vowel on yod before qof

In this family of words, Taamey D raises yod’s vowel to make room beside the following qof’s vowel and below-accent. NAEE adds horizontal space to separate the neighboring groups of marks more clearly.

Showing all 7 distinct pointed words (10 occurrences).

Adjacent narrow letters, both with below-marks

In this family of words, two adjacent narrow letters each carry below-marks. Wide vowel dots or an extra below-mark leave less room between the sets of marks. These examples include vav beside yod and nun beside vav. This family remains a visual trial; a matching word receives automatic spacing only if it also belongs to one of the first three families.

Showing 3 examples from 3,690 distinct pointed words (8,395 occurrences).

Qof and its predecessor, both with below-marks

In this family of words, qof and the letter immediately before it in reading order both carry below-marks. Qof’s descending stroke adds to the crowding around those marks. The examples include wide vowel dots on the predecessor, an extra below-accent on qof, and an extra below-accent on the predecessor. This family also remains a visual trial; a matching word receives automatic spacing only if it also belongs to one of the first three families.

Showing 3 examples from 5,908 distinct pointed words (9,627 occurrences).