René's URL Explorer Experiment

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"DiscussionForumPosting","headline":"[Feature Request] Proper Arabic Language Support in Matplotlib Plots","articleBody":"## Description\n\nCurrently, when using Arabic text in Matplotlib plots (titles, labels, legends), the text appears incorrectly due to:\n\n1. **Left-to-right rendering** instead of proper **right-to-left**.\n2. Arabic characters are shown as **disconnected** (e.g., \"ت ش ا ت\" instead of \"تشات\").\n3. Usage of fonts that **lack Arabic support**, resulting in broken symbols or empty boxes.\n\nThis greatly affects the usability of Matplotlib for Arabic-speaking users in scientific, academic, and educational contexts.\n\n---\n\n## Proposed Solution\n\nTo resolve this issue, we propose the following enhancements:\n\n1. **Integrate Arabic reshaping and bidi support**:\n   - Use [`arabic_reshaper`](https://pypi.org/project/arabic-reshaper/) to properly shape Arabic characters.\n   - Use [`python-bidi`](https://pypi.org/project/python-bidi/) to ensure correct text direction.\n\n2. **Support Arabic-compatible fonts** such as:\n   - Amiri\n   - Noto Naskh Arabic\n   - Lateef\n   - Cairo\n\n3. **Auto-detect Arabic text** and apply shaping + direction correction internally (if feasible).\n\n---\n\n## Visual Example\n\nThe following image shows a real example of the issue where Arabic text is rendered incorrectly in a plot:\n\n(please see attached image or PDF)\n\n---\n\n## Attached PDF Report\n\nA full report is attached with:\n- Bilingual description (Arabic + English)\n- Proposed technical solution\n- Plot illustration of the current rendering issue\n\n---\n\n## Environment\n\n- Matplotlib version: [please fill]\n- Python version: [please fill]\n- OS: [please fill]\n\nThank you for your efforts and for supporting internationalization!","author":{"url":"https://github.com/ahmadmarzok","@type":"Person","name":"ahmadmarzok"},"datePublished":"2025-03-25T21:44:30.000Z","interactionStatistic":{"@type":"InteractionCounter","interactionType":"https://schema.org/CommentAction","userInteractionCount":2},"url":"https://github.com/29806/matplotlib/issues/29806"}