Currency: support symbol-alt-narrow

[Renkas]

CLDR exposes also symbol-alt-narrow for some currencies (since CLDR 24: http://cldr.unicode.org/index/downloads/cldr-24)

Example in 'et' locale Globalize.currencyFormatter( "PLN" )( 1 ) - outputs:
1,00 PLN

With symbol-alt-narrow support the output should be:
1,00 zł

[rxaviers]

CLDR indeed has the data. But, it doesn't specify how to use it. This same topic has been discussed in tc39/ecma402#4. So, the first step is to define how this could be supported.

I recommend researching CLDR tickets (e.g., http://unicode.org/cldr/trac/search?changeset=on&milestone=on&ticket=on&wiki=on&q=symbol+alt&page=2&noquickjump=1) and its documentation (http://www.unicode.org/reports/tr35/tr35-numbers.html#Currencies) to find substance to elaborate a suggestion. Perhaps, a variant subtag could be specified in the locale to define the preference for the alt symbol. Perhaps, an additional option on the currencyFormatter could be specified. Either way, I suggest that whatever is considered here should be aligned with CLDR.

[Renkas]

For my purpose an additional option for the currencyFormatter() would be sufficient.

Quote from the change log:

The narrow forms are intended to be as narrow as possible, however, there may be no good narrow term for some units in some languages. As always, narrow forms are not necessary unique; they should only be used where the context is sufficiently clear (eg, it is a length).

I think that adding an option named 'narrow' to currencyFormatter() would then do exactly what it's meant to. I think that would be the perfect place as the usage is context sensitive. It wouldn't make sense to make it global option.

[rxaviers]

A {form: "narrow"} option sounds good to me. Basically, it should try symbol-alt-narrow || symbol given narrow is not available for all currencies.

Given the change log makes reference for the narrow form. But, http://www.unicode.org/reports/tr35/tr35-numbers.html#Currencies does not. I believe we should request it to be inlcuded by filing a ticket on CLDR (http://unicode.org/cldr/trac/) as a preliminary step. If you agree, please do so and add a new comment here with the ticket number. I will help bringing this to focus on the CLDR committee.

[Renkas]

There seems to be already a ticket: http://unicode.org/cldr/trac/ticket/8461

[rxaviers]

It's targeted for CLDR 28, so we could give the implementation a try. Basically, what needs update is:

• https://github.com/jquery/globalize/blob/master/src/currency.js
• https://github.com/jquery/globalize/blob/master/src/currency/symbol-properties.js#L18-L22

Feel free to submit a Pull Request. :)

[Renkas]

I'll better leave this to someone who knows what he is doing :)

Anyway thanks in advance - can't wait to use this.

[zolitch]

Looks like this has now been added to the spec: http://unicode.org/cldr/trac/ticket/8405#comment:7

Is there any movement here or is someone working on an implementation? It would be great to get this feature!

[rxaviers]

Hey @zolitch, no one seems to be working on it, but I believe it's a quick change. Would you be interested in implementing it? Just let me know if you have any questions? Thanks

[zolitch]

I can't right now but can do if I get some time over the next week or. Provided a workaround on the project I'm working on right now.