The Human Script

  I felt the need to expend some creative energy, and what better way to do that than in a way which promotes humanism? So I created a phonetic alphabet that people might find attractive with the least cultural bias that I could manage. It's structure is based on the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).

  I was going for an interesting mix of logical construction with a multicultural appeal, so I've been calling it "Terran Phonetic Alphabet 1" or "TPA1".

  Check out the complete version, and the English-biased one, below as they are mapped to a "QWERTY" keyboard. Try them out yourself by installing the font files, which you can download from links further down the page.

Complete Terran Phonetic Alphabet 1

English-biased TPA1 (QWERTY based)

  I wanted to represent my interest in advancing the cause of humanity in general, and not leave anyone with the impression that my sole purpose is getting humans to Mars. It was a lot of fun to design, and I want to share it for the non-profit enjoyment of everyone.

  There are two free font files here:

Install Instructions: 

Download the .ttf font files you want, and place in your computer's Font folder. 

(On my computer, for instance, this is C:\Windows\Fonts)

• Complete TPA1 version
• English-based TPA1 version

  One file is the complete version which can be used to write any human language and is mapped to the keyboard based on the organization of how each sound is made (the chart directly below is the IPA chart demonstrating every human sound mapped in this manner).

  The other is English biased, mapped with the standard QWERTY system in mind. The idea being that in the likely event that you'd want to just pickup TPA1 with the typing system you're familiar with without having to understand all the logic behind how the IPA is organized, you can. That being said, if you are interested in how I designed this project, check out the explanation section below.

The International Phonetic Alphabet

Explanation:

  Using the IPA chart's structure, which is based on how each sound is made, I devised the foundation for each symbol by numbering the columns (which relate to the source location of a vocalization, like the front of the mouth versus the back of the throat) and using an equal number of strokes to inform the structure of each TPA1 numeral.

(Therefore, '1' would have one stroke and stand for bilabial, '2' would have two and stand for labiodental, etc. '0' serves as the base for the vowel symbols, and distinguishes itself not by number of strokes but by the way those strokes leave an empty space.).

  From there, I applied diacritics (smaller symbols which modify bigger symbols) to each row (which represent how the sound is actually constructed at its location). The diacritics placement around the symbols would determine to which row the symbol belongs (for instance, "plosive" diacritics go above the "1" symbol to form 'p's and 'b's).

  To distinguish between hard and soft sounds that belong to the same position on the chart (like 'p' and 'b' respectively), I used a dot diacritic to mark hard sounds, and a line to mark soft sounds. So, 'p' is a '1' with a dot over it, and 'b' is a '1' with a line over it.

-end of explanation-

  It's by no means a perfectly logical construction, that's because it's as much art project as a logic exercise. Primarily, it's meant to be fun and hopefully inspire some to consider how communication and art can unite humanity. I'm fairly pleased with the look, and I hope you are too.

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All fonts © Derek St.Jarre. All Rights Reserved. No font created by Derek St.Jarre may be altered, embedded or redistributed without an additional license fee. Email for details.

The free fonts are freeware for independent works and non-profit use ONLY. This excludes use by "mainstream" publishers, (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Oni, Image, SLG, Top Cow, Wildstorm, Crossgen, TokyoPop etc.) without a license fee. Use by a "mainstream" publisher (or its employee), and use for mainstream comics, or non-comic, for-profit endeavors incurs a license fee be paid to Derek St.Jarre. In Essence, this means:

· Anyone may use these fonts for non-profit projects.
· If you are a comic book self-publisher/small press publisher you may use these fonts for profit or non profit or as part of graphics printed on merchandise to support your independent comic.
· If you are an independent creator, publishing comics through a mainstream company (see above) there is a license fee.
· Any other commercial use not listed above requires a license fee, including embedding fonts within an application, or commercial redistribution.

E-mail Derek St.Jarre for specific fonts' license fees.

If you have questions, please contact Derek St.Jarre via e-mail.