Unclear As-Written Signs

Signs whose remaining traces on the support are readable enough to be restored. Alternative readings may be possible.

Syntax

Any number of Unicode characters enclosed (followed by the optional certainty notation) between asterisks *…*. The optional " operator, placed before the final delimiter, can be used to indicate a particularly difficult reading.

Overview

• 𝑆 = any sign (Unicode character) ∉ STOP_SET (cf. Technical Catalogue of Symbols) otherwise preceded by the escape character \.
• 𝑁 = number of characters (represented by char or digits).
• 𝑛 ∈ ℕ (natural numbers).
• ‽ᵟ ∈ {?, !, ε} = uncertainty marker ?, certainty marker !, or empty string (ε).
• γ ∈ {Low, High, Medium} = certainty level corresponding to the marker used in the notation.
• ◇ᵟ ∈ {⯑, ⯁, ε} = rendering of the uncertainty/certainty marker in the notation or empty string (ε).
• λ = legibility level (normal or severe) based on the presence or absence of the " operator.
• ~ᵟ = severe legibility marker ~ or nothing in case of normal legibility.

See Unclear Signs for the automatic rectification performed by the formatter to improve legibility.

Examples

*abc*

*abc?*

*abc!*

*abc"*

*abc?"*

*abc!"*

EpiDoc Outputs

*abc*

<ab>
    <unclear cert="medium">abc</unclear>
</ab>

*abc?*

<ab>
    <unclear cert="low">abc</unclear>
</ab>

*abc!*

<ab>
    <unclear cert="high">abc</unclear>
</ab>

*abc"*

<ab>
    <unclear cert="medium" reason="illegible">abc</unclear>
</ab>

*abc?"*

<ab>
    <unclear cert="low" reason="illegible">abc</unclear>
</ab>

*abc!"*

<ab>
    <unclear cert="high" reason="illegible">abc</unclear>
</ab>

Structural Analysis (Conceptual AST)

*abc*

Unclear[medium, legibility: normal]
  Plain("abc")

*abc?*

Unclear[low, legibility: normal]
  Plain("abc")

*abc!*

Unclear[high, legibility: normal]
  Plain("abc")

*abc"*

Unclear[medium, legibility: severe]
  Plain("abc")

*abc?"*

Unclear[low, legibility: severe]
  Plain("abc")

*abc!"*

Unclear[high, legibility: severe]
  Plain("abc")