How Linux renders Unicode characters?
 

I am working on an application that will convert English text into equivalent Indian language text. Since Unicode is the standard, I will be using it.

In most of the western languages each code-value directly refers to the glyph index and placing the code-values side by side will give the required display. This one to one mapping is not possible in Indian languages where rendering syllables is required rather than rendering just consonants and vowels. Many of the complex characters are made up by combining several unicode values.

My question here is: How Linux renders this Unicode text correctly? More specifically, what package is used? I believe in Windows they use Uniscribe for rendering.

I believe there will be an operating system library for handling the text rendering. Or do I need to write my own rendering engine? How programs like Firefox, GEdit shows unicode text? Do they also have proprietary engines for correct rendering?

Any help would be great!

You probably want to look at Pango.

Pango looks promising. Thanks