Does kindle still do weird things with em dashes?

Barty · 06-06-2015, 04:59 PM

On my PW2 whenever there's an em dash the kindle inserts extra empty spaces in the line. It's like the presence of em dashes throws its word spacing algorithm for a loop. Do newer firmwares still do this?

HarryT · 06-06-2015, 06:04 PM

Can't say I've noticed any issues with dashes and spacing on any of my Kindles, Barty.

Barty · 06-06-2015, 06:29 PM

Here is an example. Note the large space in front of "shores"

Click image for larger version

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patrickt · 06-07-2015, 06:37 AM

A. I had to find out what an em dash might be.
"
Em dash

The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons—in each case to slightly different effect.

Notwithstanding its versatility, the em dash is best limited to two appearances per sentence. Otherwise, confusion rather than clarity is likely to result.

Do not mistake the em dash (—) for the slightly narrower en dash (–) or the even narrower hyphen (-). Those marks serve different purposes and are further explained in other sections."
http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html

I occasionally see formatting errors but I honestly don't know I've ever connected with with dashes. I'll keep my eyes open.

HarryT · 06-07-2015, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

Here is an example. Note the large space in front of "shores"

Attachment 139061

That's due to the fact that the Kindle doesn't break a line at an em-dash.

Barty · 06-07-2015, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's due to the fact that the Kindle doesn't break a line at an em-dash.

it still does not explain that gap. This particular book uses ragged margin; the sentence should align left.

odamizu · 06-07-2015, 11:57 PM

I have never had a problem with extra empty spaces on left-aligned ebooks on my Voyage, currently running 5.6.2.1, but also on earlier firmware 5.6.1.x.

And I agree, there's no reason this should happen with books using left-aligned ragged margin.

What firmware are you on that it does this?

Atunah · 06-08-2015, 12:05 AM

I haven't ever noticed anything like that, and I have been using various kindle since 2008 starting with the K1 and now the Voyage.

I had to look up what an em dash is, I didn't know.

Barty · 06-08-2015, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odamizu

I have never had a problem with extra empty spaces on left-aligned ebooks on my Voyage, currently running 5.6.2.1, but also on earlier firmware 5.6.1.x.

And I agree, there's no reason this should happen with books using left-aligned ragged margin.

What firmware are you on that it does this?

5.4.3.2

Pretty old. I'm not going to update it, though. Don't want to lose my jailbreak.

PoP · 06-08-2015, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's due to the fact that the Kindle doesn't break a line at an em-dash.

ACK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

it still does not explain that gap. This particular book uses ragged margin; the sentence should align left.

Given above, isn't the gap explained by not enough space to fit "wasn't" after "this"

EDIT: Ah, I see your point now that you explain it below.

Barty · 06-08-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoP

ACK.

Given above, isn't the gap explained by not enough space to fit "wasn't" after "this"

Obviously, "wasn't" does not fit. My point is why does "shores--...." get flushed to the right and not left like everything else?

dordale · 06-08-2015, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

Obviously, "wasn't" does not fit. My point is why does "shores--...." get flushed to the right and not left like everything else?

Just out of curiousity--do you see the large space at different font sizes?

Barty · 06-10-2015, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dordale

Just out of curiousity--do you see the large space at different font sizes?

yes though with small font size the bug manifests itself less frequently.

Barty · 06-13-2015, 07:02 PM

My other beef is it seems to treat the aword(emdash)anotherword as a single entity, so there's no way to highlight and look up aword or anotherword.

06-06-2015, 04:59 PM	#1
Barty doofus Posts: 2,555 Karma: 13089041 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	Does kindle still do weird things with em dashes? On my PW2 whenever there's an em dash the kindle inserts extra empty spaces in the line. It's like the presence of em dashes throws its word spacing algorithm for a loop. Do newer firmwares still do this?

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06-06-2015, 06:04 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Can't say I've noticed any issues with dashes and spacing on any of my Kindles, Barty.

06-06-2015, 06:29 PM	#3
Barty doofus Posts: 2,555 Karma: 13089041 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	Here is an example. Note the large space in front of "shores"

06-07-2015, 06:37 AM	#4
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	A. I had to find out what an em dash might be. " Em dash The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons—in each case to slightly different effect. Notwithstanding its versatility, the em dash is best limited to two appearances per sentence. Otherwise, confusion rather than clarity is likely to result. Do not mistake the em dash (—) for the slightly narrower en dash (–) or the even narrower hyphen (-). Those marks serve different purposes and are further explained in other sections." http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/em-dash.html I occasionally see formatting errors but I honestly don't know I've ever connected with with dashes. I'll keep my eyes open.

06-07-2015, 11:57 PM	#7
odamizu just an egg Posts: 1,848 Karma: 8006346 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: Kindle, iOS	I have never had a problem with extra empty spaces on left-aligned ebooks on my Voyage, currently running 5.6.2.1, but also on earlier firmware 5.6.1.x. And I agree, there's no reason this should happen with books using left-aligned ragged margin. What firmware are you on that it does this?

06-08-2015, 12:05 AM	#8
Atunah Wizard Posts: 1,817 Karma: 23400001 Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA Device: K1/K3/BasicK Voyage/Oasis1/Oasis3	I haven't ever noticed anything like that, and I have been using various kindle since 2008 starting with the K1 and now the Voyage. I had to look up what an em dash is, I didn't know.

06-13-2015, 07:02 PM	#14
Barty doofus Posts: 2,555 Karma: 13089041 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	My other beef is it seems to treat the aword(emdash)anotherword as a single entity, so there's no way to highlight and look up aword or anotherword.