Variant Behavior for Kasra (U+0650)

In standard Arabic, and for most languages using the Arabic script, when U+0650 ◌ِ ARABIC KASRA follows U+0651 ◌ّ ARABIC SHADDA the kasra is moved to just below the shadda (behavior for U+064D ◌ٍ ARABIC KASRATAN should be consistent with the behavior for U+0650 ◌ِ ARABIC KASRA). This behavior is what is seen on the left below. However, some languages require the kasra to remain below the consonant as is seen on the right below.

Sindhi and Urdu are two well known languages where the behavior demonstrated on the right is expected. Additionally, most languages in West Africa that use Arabic script (Ajami) would expect the kasra to remain below the consonant.

This article formerly appeared on ScriptSource.