What is Fraktur lettering?

What is Fraktur lettering?

Fraktur is a style of calligraphy that emerged during the 16th century in Germany. It is based on the blackletter style of writing that developed in France in the 12th century, and became the standard way to write in much of Europe. In German it is called deutsche Schrift (German script).

When did Germans stop using Fraktur?

During the course of the war, the German type had proved to be a communications barrier with the peoples of occupied Europe, and so in January of 1941, Fraktur was officially abolished by declaring it to be “Un-German” and “of Jewish origin””.

Why did Germany stop using Gothic script?

The Antiqua–Fraktur dispute was a typographical dispute in 19th- and early 20th-century Germany. The eventual outcome was that the Antiqua-type fonts won when the Nazi Party chose to phase out the more ornate-looking Fraktur.

Is there cursive writing in German?

Kurrent (German: [kʊˈʁɛnt]) is an old form of German-language handwriting based on late medieval cursive writing, also known as Kurrentschrift (“cursive script”), deutsche Schrift (“German script”) and German cursive.

What is Antiqua typeface?

Antiqua typefaces are typefaces designed between 1470 and 1600 AD, specifically those by Nicolas Jenson and the Aldine roman commissioned by Aldus Manutius and cut by Francesco Griffo. The letterforms were based on a synthesis of Roman inscriptional capitals and Carolingian writing.

What does the word Fraktur mean?

Definition of Fraktur 1 : a German style of black letter. 2 often not capitalized : a Pennsylvania German document (such as a birth or wedding certificate) that is written in calligraphy and illuminated with decorative motifs (such as tulips, birds, and scrolls)

What does the word Uncial mean?

1 : a handwriting used especially in Greek and Latin manuscripts of the fourth to the eighth centuries a.d. and made with somewhat rounded separated majuscules but having cursive forms for some letters. 2 : an uncial letter. 3 : a manuscript written in uncial.

How many letters are in the Fraktur alphabet?

Besides the 26 letters of the ISO basic Latin alphabet, Fraktur includes the ß (Eszett), vowels with umlauts, and the ſ . Some Fraktur typefaces also include a variant form of the letter r known as the r rotunda , and many a variety of ligatures which are left over from cursive handwriting and have rules for their use.

What is the history of the font Fraktur?

Fraktur became a popular typeface for books thanks to Johann Schönsperger, a publisher in Augsburg, who printed works by Maximilian, such as his Gebetbuch (Prayer Book) in 1513. The name Fraktur comes from Latin and means “fractured” or “broken script”.

What is the difference between Fraktur and Antiqua?

Fraktur. The blackletter lines are broken up; that is, their forms contain many angles when compared to the smooth curves of the Antiqua (common) typefaces modeled after antique Roman square capitals and Carolingian minuscule. From this, Fraktur is sometimes contrasted with the “Latin alphabet” in northern European texts,…

What is fraktur and why is it used?

It is so called because its ornamental twiddly bits (curlicues) break the continuous line of a word. In German it is called deutsche Schrift (German script). Fraktur was widely used in the German-speaking world, and also in Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and Central Europe to write such languages as Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Czech.