What is ISO 15919:2018?

Introduction

ISO 15919:2018 is a standard that provides guidelines for the transliteration of Devanagari and related Indic scripts into the Latin script. It ensures consistent representation of these scripts for various purposes, including computer processing, publication, and general communication.

The Need for ISO 15919:2018

Before the introduction of ISO 15919:2018, there was no universally accepted method for transliterating Devanagari and other Indic scripts into the Latin script. This led to inconsistencies and confusion when dealing with Indic scripts in international contexts. The purpose of ISO 15919:2018 is to establish a single, standardized transliteration system that can be used by anyone.

Key Features of ISO 15919:2018

ISO 15919:2018 uses a set of rules and conventions to map each character in a Devanagari or Indic script to its respective Latin script equivalent. Some of the key features of ISO 15919:2018 include:

Transliteration Scheme: The standard defines a clear and consistent scheme for transliterating characters.

Character Mapping: Each character in the Devanagari or Indic script has a corresponding Latin script equivalent.

Special Cases: ISO 15919:2018 also covers special cases such as ligatures, conjuncts, and diacritical marks.

Unambiguous Representation: The standard ensures that each Devanagari or Indic script character is mapped to one and only one Latin script character.

Applications of ISO 15919:2018

The introduction of ISO 15919:2018 has various practical applications:

Computer Processing: The standard facilitates computer processing of Indic scripts by providing a standardized transliteration scheme.

Publication: ISO 15919:2018 enables accurate representation of Indic scripts in international publications.

Localization: The standard helps with the localization of software, websites, and digital content into languages that use Devanagari or Indic scripts.

Communication: ISO 15919:2018 enables consistent communication using transliterated Indic scripts across different platforms and media.

In conclusion, ISO 15919:2018 is an important standard that provides guidelines for transliterating Devanagari and related Indic scripts into the Latin script. It ensures consistency and accuracy in representing these scripts for various purposes. Implementing this standard has numerous benefits, such as facilitating computer processing, ensuring accurate publication, aiding localization efforts, and enabling consistent communication.