Ligature (writing)

A ligature, in the context of writing and typography, refers to a combination of two or more graphemes (letters) into a single glyph. This unified glyph represents the combined characters and is treated as a single symbol for the purpose of typesetting. Ligatures are typically used to improve the aesthetics and readability of text, particularly in fonts designed for specific scripts or historical periods.

The primary purpose of ligatures is to address potential spacing and collision issues that can arise when certain letter combinations are placed next to each other. By combining the letters into a single form, overlapping strokes or awkward gaps can be avoided, resulting in a more harmonious and visually pleasing appearance.

Ligatures are particularly common in scripts like Arabic and Devanagari, where the connection of letters is an integral part of the script's visual structure. They also appear in the Latin alphabet, albeit to a lesser extent in modern typography. Common Latin ligatures include "fi", "fl", "ff", "ffi", and "ffl". Historically, ligatures were more prevalent, especially in handwritten scripts and early printing.

The use of ligatures can vary depending on the font, the language, and the specific typesetting rules being followed. Some fonts may include a wide range of ligatures, while others may only include a few of the most common ones. Modern typesetting software often provides options to enable or disable ligatures, giving designers control over their use. While ligatures can enhance the appearance of text, excessive or inappropriate use can hinder readability.