Hello everyone,
Even if "serif" remains the most popular and widely used term thought the world, there are still languages that use other words to refer to these shapes, sometimes the most neglected given their relatively small frame at text sizes.
Besides the obvious "serif", I would add "grazie", which is how they are called in Italy. Maybe the name alludes to the fact that they enliven and give beauty and grace to the text.
Spanish has also "serifa", but what I really find interesting is that the word for orthographical accent in Spanish is "tilde". Adjective "atildado" has a general sense of neatness, order, something that is spruced up or groomed. Again, we find ourselves in a scenario where serifs seem to bring some kind of adornment or beauty to the text.
And yet some more examples:
Albanian: dhëmbëza (apparently, teeth or scar are two possible translations)
I would like to know if the members of the community would be so kind so as to support this thread and share their ideas on the word and its near absolute ubiquity.
Thanks for your kindness and help.
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And indeed, Italian words "polizia" and "pulizia" (this last one filled with connotations of cleanliness, neatness and orderliness) seem to have a lot in common with the demanding and controlling task of setting type to a high standard.