hlig — Historical Ligatures
hlig (Historical Ligatures) gathers ligatures once used historically.
Examples include the ligatures of long s (ſ), such as ſt (long s + t) and ſb (long s + b). Ligatures once in common use that now appear anachronistic are used to evoke the look of that era.
Example
Section titled “Example”Without hlig
ſlow
With hlig
ſlow
.fea source
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Choosing among the ligature features
Section titled “Choosing among the ligature features”Five features form ligatures, hlig among them.
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
rlig |
Ligatures required for correct display of a script. Always applied |
liga |
Ligatures in common use. On by default |
clig |
Ligatures recommended only in a specific context. On by default |
dlig |
Ligatures used for special effect, at the user’s preference. Off by default |
hlig |
Ligatures once in common use that now appear anachronistic. Off by default |
hlig is off by default. It applies only once the user specifies it.
dlig, also off by default, covers ligatures used for special effect. Ligatures once used historically belong in hlig.
Writing it in a feature file
Section titled “Writing it in a feature file”The rules are written with Lookup Type 4.
Without rules
huſband ſky ſlow
With ruleshuſband ſky ſlow
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