What's there now: StatusBar.svelte shows the language mode as a text chip ("ENG" / "MAL") and exposes the input scheme via a dropdown labeled with text ("Mozhi", "Inscript 1", "Inscript 2"). Switching is the most frequent runtime decision a Malayalam writer makes — Ctrl+Space toggles many times per session.
Why it matters: This is the most-glanced surface in the status bar. Right now ENG and MAL look like buttons (per #109) but actually just show state. A bespoke pair of glyphs would (a) make the state obvious at a glance, (b) free the chip to look like a label not a button, (c) give Malayalam a place of pride in the chrome that matches the app's positioning.
Suggested deliverable:
- Language mode glyphs — paired marks for English (Latin "A" ligature) and Malayalam (ഋ or അ stylized). Same metric box, swap on toggle.
- Input scheme glyphs (small) — three marks for Mozhi, Inscript 1, Inscript 2. Mozhi could be a stylized "transliteration" arrow (Latin → Malayalam); Inscript variants could echo a keyboard motif.
- Animated transition between English and Malayalam glyphs on Ctrl+Space — a tiny visual reward for the toggle.
Code touchpoints: src/lib/components/StatusBar.svelte, src/lib/components/SettingsModal.svelte, src/lib/components/StoryModeView.svelte (also has a mode indicator).
What's there now:
StatusBar.svelteshows the language mode as a text chip ("ENG" / "MAL") and exposes the input scheme via a dropdown labeled with text ("Mozhi", "Inscript 1", "Inscript 2"). Switching is the most frequent runtime decision a Malayalam writer makes — Ctrl+Space toggles many times per session.Why it matters: This is the most-glanced surface in the status bar. Right now ENG and MAL look like buttons (per #109) but actually just show state. A bespoke pair of glyphs would (a) make the state obvious at a glance, (b) free the chip to look like a label not a button, (c) give Malayalam a place of pride in the chrome that matches the app's positioning.
Suggested deliverable:
Code touchpoints:
src/lib/components/StatusBar.svelte,src/lib/components/SettingsModal.svelte,src/lib/components/StoryModeView.svelte(also has a mode indicator).