PRI #442: Unicode 15.0 Alpha Review

Background Document

Date: February 8, 2022

This document provides background material for the alpha review period for Unicode 15.0.

Alpha review is for early review and comment on the repertoire proposed for eventual publication in Unicode 15.0. During alpha review the repertoire is reasonably mature and stable, but is not yet completely locked down. Discussion regarding whether certain characters should be removed from the repertoire for publication is welcome. Character names and code point assignments are reasonably firm, but suggestions for improvement may still be entertained.

This early review is provided so that reviewers may consider the character repertoire issues prior to the start of beta review (currently scheduled to start in May, 2022). Once beta review begins, the repertoire, code points, and character names will all be locked down, and no longer be subject to changes.

How to Provide Feedback

Feedback for the alpha review period should be reported under this PRI #442, using the Unicode contact form.

Data Files

During the alpha review period, some of the data files associated with the Unicode Character Database are also available for review at 15.0 alpha data files. These files are not a complete set of data files yet—only a minimal set sufficient to prepare code charts. Caution: Please do not report missing data files or attempt to implement on the basis of these preliminary data files.

Code Charts

For ease of review, a set of alpha review charts have been prepared. These are accessible on a block-by-block basis for new characters proposed to be added for Unicode 15.0. See 15.0 delta charts.

Alpha review charts also show glyph changes specifically planned for Unicode 15.0. Proposed glyph changes are highlighted in blue, while new characters proposed for encoding in Unicode 15.0 are highlighted in yellow. Note that a significant number of the glyph changes are cosmetic only.

For more information about new emoji for inclusion in Unicode 15.0, see Draft Emoji Candidates. Those charts include both emoji characters and emoji sequences.