This page contains
information about "Sefarad", which is a Hebrew
simulation font, in other words, a Roman font that
looks like Hebrew. Hence "Sefarad" is not a Hebrew
font, only a Hebrew-style font.
by Juan
José Marcos Professor of classical languages.
Plasencia. Spain. January 2023
CONCEPT OF
SIMULATION FONTS
If you're looking for fonts
which mimic Hebrew lettering, you have come to the right
place.
Fonts which try to imitate the stereotypical letter forms of another
language, like a Latin alphabet typeface that looks like
Hebrew, Arabic, or Japanese, fall into the category of
decorative typefaces sometimes called "simulation fonts".
Simulation fonts have
been designed to represent the characters of the Roman/Latin
(English) alphabet but evoke another writing system. This
group includes typefaces designed to appear as Hebrew, Arabic
or other scripts. These are used largely for the purpose of
novelty to make something appear foreign.
CHARACTERISTICS OF "SEFARAD" FONT
"Sefarad" is a Hebrew
simulation font, so-called because
in Medieval times Sefarad was
the name given toSpain by the Hebraic people that lived
there during that era. From
this name they derived the term Sephardic, which describes those descended
from the original Jews of Spain and Portugal.
"Sefarad" is my attempt at a Roman alphabet font
that simulates the look of Hebrew script. "Sefarad" is
therefore an English font designed to look like Hebrew style
caligraphy. In this font some of the original Hebrew
characters have been given new roles, others modified to
resemble modern Latin characters. "Sefarad" is an
adaption of
a classic typeface that presents English letters in a Hebrew
style - perfect for displays and announcements for all Jewish
organizations.
Summarizing: "Sefarad" is a Latin font that simulates Hebrew.
An important thing to note is that unlike English and other
Latin-based languages, there are no upper/lower cases in
Hebrew. Hebrew has only a
capital alphabet and makes no distinction between uppercase
(also named majuscule or capital) and lowercase (minuscule)
letters. However I have also made lowercase characters for
this font.
The font contains all
the common signs (full set of Roman letters,
numerals and punctuation marks), as well as accented
vowels - acute accent, grave accent, circumflex,
tilde, diaeresis or umlaut mark required to type
most Western European languages (Spanish, French,
Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, among others)
plus Menorah,
and Star of David symbols.
The "Sefarad"
font is extremely easy to read. The design has the goal of
readability while retaining a unique style. You can use it to write your name,
words or phrases you wish in a
beautiful style. The font can be used for invitations,
advertisements, tatoos (you
can print from your computer then hand to your tattoo artist
for inking) and
more!
SAMPLES
The following line
of text looks Hebrew at first sight: but if we see it in its
context then we realize that it is actually a Latin alphabet
Hebrew simulation font, and that the line could be interpreted
as: I wish you a happy new year.
This font offers a
unique material to let you experiment and discover
your own creativity.
There
is
no
theorical
limit
to
the
size
of
letters,
besides
the
practical
limit
of
the
application used to manage layout. They can be
printed very big to post on a notice board, for
instance.
Like any standard font, the "Sefarad"
font can be used in colors for personalized layouts.
I
recommend you to print your text to see exactly how this will
look on paper, because "Sefarad" font is intended primarly for
print and may not show as well on the screen. Please keep in
mind that what you see is not always what you get. Most
typefaces are best rendered on the printer, so they print
legibly, not to display at small sizes on the screen.
SOFTWARE
REQUIREMENTS, INSTALLATION AND USE
The
"Sefarad" font is compatible with Windows (any version), Mac
OS9 and OSX, and Linux.
In fact, this product is not really a program. It
is simply a font to be used with other applications.
Sefarad is a standard font (8 bits, TTF format), so it can be
used running any Windows version and any word processor.
You can also use it running Linux. I have successfully tried
this font under Debian with OpenOffice.
This
font should be usable on Macintosh running OSX9 and OSX. This
is not a problem, since Mac recognizes PC TrueType fonts
without complaint.
In any case, if you are very interested and you
wish to get a Mac version of the font (bin and dfont formats),
I can produce them in a Mac native format for you.
Installation is very easy, simply copy and paste
the font files into your Fonts folder located somewhere in
your hard disk (Library/Fonts in a Mac or Windows/Fonts in a
PC).
After installation the "Sefarad" font can be
used in any program such as word processing or graphic
programs, like any other standard font. Simply access the
font list and you will see the new font appear with the
existing fonts from before.
Select "Sefarad" from the font list, then choose
the correct size*and finally enter the words or sequences you
wish to print.
*You may use large sizes for better display
(suggested size-24 points or up).
"AL-ANDALUS" FONT
I
have
also
created
other
simulation
font named "Al-Andalus". This font is my attempt at a Roman alphabet
font that simulates the look of Arabic script.
"Al-Andalus" is therefore an English font designed to look
like Arabic style caligraphy. In
this font some of the original Arabic characters have been
given new roles, others modified to resemble modern Latin
characters. "Al-Andalus" is an adaption of a classic
typeface that presents English letters in an Arabic style. Summarizing:
"Al-Andalus" is a Latin font that simulates Arabic.
More
detailed information about the Al-Andalus font here: http://guindo.pntic.mec.es/jmag0042/arabic.html
"CUNEUS" FONT
I have also
created other simulation font named "Cuneus" (so-called
because
Cuneiform comes from the Latin word cuneus which
means "wedge"). This font
is my attempt at a
Roman alphabet font that simulates the look of Cuneiform
script. "Cuneus" is therefore an English font designed to
look like Cuneiform style calligraphy. In
this font some of the original Cuneiform characters have
been given new roles, others modified to resemble modern
Latin characters. "Cuneus" is an adaption of a classic
typeface that presents English letters in a Cuneiform
style. Summarizing: "Cuneus" is a Latin font that
simulates Cuneiform.
More
detailed information about the Cuneus font here: http://guindo.pntic.mec.es/jmag0042/cuneiform.html
"CYRILLIC
OCS" FONT
I
have
also
created
other
simulation
font named "Cyrillic OCS". This font is my attempt at a Roman
alphabet font that simulates the look of old Cyrillic
script (also know as Old Church Slavonic). "Cyrillic
OCS" is therefore an English font designed to look like
Cyrillic style calligraphy. In
this font some of the original Cyrillic characters have
been given new roles, others modified to resemble modern
Latin characters. "Cyrillic OCS" is an adaption
of
a classic Old Church Slavonic typeface that presents
English letters in a old Cyrillic style.
Summarizing: "Cyrillic OCS" is a Latin font that
simulates Cyrillic.
More
detailed information about this font here: http://guindo.pntic.mec.es/jmag0042/cyrillic.html
PRICE
AND LICENSE
The "Sefarad" font has a reasonable
price, really! A single user license costs only
US $20.
With the single user license you are allowed
to use the font for any purpose you want, but not to share
it with other persons or friends. Other friends should
purchase their own copy of the font. The font will be sent
to you as atttachment to an email message (electronic
delivery). It is important that you have an account which
can receive attachments.
Please do not make illegal copies of this software.
The software was produced after months of effort and hard
work. Properly purchasing and licensing the font will
support this effort and will help the modest designer of
this font get the just reward for his work. Thanks.
After making the payment you will receive the
font as attachment to an email message sent to your email
acount.
If you have questions or doubts, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
ONLINE PAYMENT
If
you own a credit or debit card (Visa®, MasterCard®,
Discover® and American Express®), you can pay online,
which means purchase can be made in a matter of clicks.
This payment is being backed by PayPal®,
a
global
leader in online payment solutions and credit card
processing. To make payments with PapyPal is easy, fast,
free and secure for buyers. Naturally, your transaction
will be confidential and the information you give will not
be used for any reason other than the use intended. PayPal
protects your security. You can pay in any currency (Euro,
Canadian dollars, sterling pounds etc) since PayPal will
convert your currency to USA dollars during the payment
process.
Click on the PayPal button below to purchase
the "Sefarad" font online.
1) – Sefarad
font. Single user license. Delivery: Electronic only. The font costs only US $20. The font will be
sent as attachment to your email account. With the single user
license you are allowed to use the font for any purpose
you wish, but not to share it with other people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SPECIAL
OFFER: 45% discount!
2) – FOUR SIMULATION
FONTS: Sefarad + Al-Andalus + Cyrillic OCS + Cuneiform.
Delivery: Electronic only. The four fonts cost US $45. You save $35, 45%
off. The fonts will be sent as attachment to your email
account. With the single user license you are allowed to use
the fonts for any purpose you wish, but not to share it
with other people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE :
1.- Whatever
option you choose, please send me a message after making the
payment through PayPal in order to confirm that you are
really who ordered the font.
2.- In most cases I will reply to your message in due time
(normally within a day or so), unless I was on holidays,
then it will take a little longer, since I only will be
able to check my emails from time to time, (usually every
five days, more or less or even a little more during the
summer) so be patient, however, be sure that you will
receive my reply. Sorry for this inconvenience.
3.- Evidently, any modification or public distribution of
this font is not permited under any circumstance.
AUTHOR
Just in case you are wondering who
Juan-José Marcos is, click here and you will find some
information about the author of this font and
this website.
More fonts designed by the same author here.
SUGGESTIONS AND QUERIES
I
have taken care to see that this font works as fine as
possible; nevertheless, if you find any error, feel free
to email me.
Although you do not purchase the font, please
send me comments, suggestions for improvements or anything
else regarding my "Sefarad" font. I would like to know
your opinion about my work. I really would appreciate
having users' feedback.
Such reaction from users will be the deciding
factor in my decision of carrying on with the development
of more simulation fonts (Indic, Runic, Japanese and so
on). Do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks.