[Python-Dev] PEP 393 Summer of Code Project

[Antoine Pitrou]

> The example given was someone who didn't agree with how a particular
> font rendered those accented characters. I agree that's obscure
> though.
> 
> I recall long ago that when the french wrote words in all caps they
> would drop the accents, e.g. ECOLE. I even recall (through the mists
> of time) observing this in Paris on public signs. Is this still the
> convention? Maybe it only was a compromise in the time of Morse code?

I think it is tolerated, partly because typing support (on computers and
typewriters) has been weak. On a French keyboard, you have an "é" key,
but shifting it gives you "2", not "É". The latter can be obtained using
the Caps Lock key under Linux, but not under Windows.

(so you could also write Éric's name "Eric", for example)

That said, most typographies nowadays seem careful to keep the accents
on uppercase letters (e.g. on book covers; AFAIR, road signs also keep
the accents, but I'm no driver).

Regards

Antoine.