Kashidas is a term used in Arabic language to denote a diacritic mark. The spelling in English may seem confusing, but it is actually quite simple when represented phonetically with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "cat" followed by the "sh" consonant, pronounced with a stretch of air from the mouth. The second syllable, "i" is pronounced as in "bit" and the final "das" sounds like "dus" with a silent "e".
Kashidas are a typographic feature in Arabic script that refers to elongated horizontal characters. It is a term used in the field of calligraphy and typography to describe the extension or stretching of Arabic letters or characters that are connected in an Arabic word. Kashidas are used to maintain the balance and harmony of the script, especially when justifying the text. They appear as extensions above or below certain letters, ensuring that the spacing between the letters remains consistent and the text appears visually appealing.
Kashidas play a crucial role in Arabic typography as they assist in creating evenly spaced text blocks, enhance legibility, and provide a smoother flow to the script. They are commonly employed in formal or print media settings such as newspapers, books, and official documents where justified text alignment is employed.
The usage and length of kashidas can vary depending on the typography style, font, and personal preference. They can be manually added or automatically inserted by word processing or typesetting software. In some cases, the length and positioning of kashidas may be adjusted to suit specific aesthetic or design requirements.
Overall, kashidas contribute to the beauty and elegance of Arabic text by ensuring proper spacing and alignment, making them an integral aspect of calligraphy, typography, and Arabic language presentation.
The word "kashida" comes from the Arabic language. Its etymology can be traced back to the Arabic root "ka-shi-da" (ك-ش-د), which means "to lengthen" or "to stretch". In Arabic calligraphy, a kashida refers to elongating or extending a letter or word by adding horizontal strokes. It is used to justify lines and create harmonious spacing between letters and words in Arabic script. The term "kashida" is also used in typography and text processing to refer to the concept of elongating characters or words for various purposes, such as justification or emphasis.