# Abyssinica SIL font

> A Unicode serif from SIL that joins the Ethiopic script with a basic Latin alphabet; 1,057 glyphs, one weight.

Abyssinica SIL is a Unicode serif typeface from SIL that covers the Ethiopic script together with a basic Latin alphabet. Abyssinica SIL has one Regular style containing 1,057 glyphs, and its name table credits Victor Gaultney and Lorna Evans. Abyssinica SIL is released under the SIL Open Font License 1.1 and suits documents and publications set in Ethiopic script.

## Facts

- Classification: [Serif](https://trendhub.net/fonts/category/serif)
- Designed by: SIL International
- License: SIL Open Font License 1.1 (https://openfontlicense.org/open-font-license-official-text/)
- Styles: 1 (Regular 400)
- Variable font: No
- Glyphs: 1057
- Character sets: ethiopic, latin
- Last updated: 2025-09-10
- Official source: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Abyssinica+SIL
- Page: https://trendhub.net/fonts/abyssinica-sil
- Tagged for: Headlines, Editorial

## About Abyssinica SIL

Abyssinica SIL is a serif typeface that combines the Ethiopic script with a basic Latin alphabet in one Unicode font. It encodes 862 characters and holds 1,057 glyphs in total. The Latin letters shown in the specimen have bracketed serifs, moderate contrast between thick and thin strokes, a slightly calligraphic stress and lining numerals. There is a single Regular style, with no bold or italic, and the font is not variable. The catalogue credits SIL International, while the name table inside the font names Victor Gaultney and Lorna Evans as designers and SIL Global as manufacturer. The Latin Extended subset is only partly present, so accented Latin coverage stops at Western European languages. Abyssinica SIL is released under the SIL Open Font License 1.1, and the copyright notice runs from 2000 to 2024.

## License

SIL Open Font License 1.1. Copyright (c) 2000-2024 by SIL Global

Allowed:
- Use the fonts in personal and commercial work, in print, on the web and in apps.
- Modify the fonts and build new versions from them.
- Redistribute the fonts, on their own or bundled with software, as long as the license text and copyright notice go with them.

Conditions:
- The fonts cannot be sold by themselves.
- A modified version must stay under the same license and cannot use a Reserved Font Name without the copyright holder's permission.
- The authors' names cannot be used to promote a modified version without permission.

Summary only, not legal advice. Full text: https://openfontlicense.org/open-font-license-official-text/

## Where it works

- **Documents in Ethiopic script**: The font's stated purpose is Unicode text in Ethiopic, the bulk of its 862 encoded characters.
- **Mixed Ethiopic and English pages**: Latin letters, numerals and punctuation are in the same file, so English words inside Ethiopic text need no second font.
- **Dictionaries and teaching material**: One Unicode font for both scripts keeps headwords and glosses in a single typeface.
- **Titles in a bookish serif**: The Latin alone gives short headings bracketed serifs and a calm, traditional texture.

## Things to know

- **One weight**: Abyssinica SIL has Regular 400 only. Bold and italic are not part of the family.
- **The specimen shows Latin only**: The sample image on this page sets the Latin alphabet; the Ethiopic characters are not pictured there.
- **Latin Extended is partial**: The font is listed with the Ethiopic and Latin subsets. Only a few Latin Extended characters are present.

## FAQs

### Is Abyssinica SIL free for commercial use?

Abyssinica SIL can be used in commercial projects under the SIL Open Font License 1.1. The license also permits modifying and redistributing the fonts, but they cannot be sold on their own, and derivatives keep the same license. Check the license text for the exact terms.

### Who designed Abyssinica SIL?

Abyssinica SIL is credited to SIL International in the catalogue. The name table inside the font names Victor Gaultney and Lorna Evans as designers and SIL Global as manufacturer.

### How many weights does Abyssinica SIL have?

Abyssinica SIL has one weight, Regular 400, with no italic.

### What script is Abyssinica SIL made for?

Abyssinica SIL is a Unicode font for the Ethiopic script, with Latin letters included alongside.

### Which languages does Abyssinica SIL support?

Abyssinica SIL contains the Ethiopic script as a character set, plus the Latin letters needed for English and Western European languages such as French, German, Spanish and Italian.

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Source: https://trendhub.net/fonts/abyssinica-sil (trendhub)