How can I use fractions like ½ in my project without having to deny a number error?

Question

In translating 1 Kings 7, we want to use fractions when we give the number as numerals, e.g. in 7:10:

Aitoka sae ale ateva laghe atoka siola namungaili atu, kasina aluseaane erooroo kotolu me tapirina ateva (3½) mita me kasina aluseaane erooroo ghaata me tapirina ateva (4½) mita.

However, this is flagged as having number errors, with "Invalid number". I can't see how to indicate that this should be valid apart from denying the error. If I go to the Number Settings dialog for the project, the list of what can be part of a number is assumed to be 0-9 plus decimal points and thousands separators, plus punctuation. There doesn't seem to be a way to say that fractions can be numbers. Is there some further setting that I have missed?

Answer 1

Hi John.

A simple way would be to add the fractions as Ordinal Suffixes, in the number configuration. 

This way the Number Verification will consider valid to have the whole number attached to the fraction (4½). You will still need to add the fractions as valid characters in the Character Inventory, in order not to have errors in Character Verification.

The disadvantage here is that although these fractions look like you want them, Paratext is not actually treating them as numbers.

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Another way is to put the numbers in integer form and use the medial punctuation "/". For the case you mention they would put 4 1/2. Paratext will accept the diagonal if it is set that way in the Medial Punctuation of the Number Settings. And they will have to approve the / in the Character Inventory so that they don't get an error in Character Verification.

When you want to print, it will be easy to change, for example, the 1/2 to ½ (00BD), and join these figures to a whole number (4½)

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I think any other way of forcing numbers as language characters might bring more risks of errors than benefits.

I hope this helps,
Pepe.

Comments

OK, I had thought about that solution, but was wondering if there was a way I didn't know that would be more officially correct. It does work, so I'll do that, even if they're not actually ordinals.