Abstract: A system, and related process, for mechanical reproduction of Arabic script is characterized by immediate response to user input and by full conformity to the ordinary calligraphic rules of the Arabic language. The process involves temporary storage of text being processed in a variety of coded representations, discrimination of the appropriate form of a given letter in view of its graphic context, and immediate display of the appropriate form on a video monitor. This displayed form may subsequently be erased and replaced by a different form of the same letter conditioned by subsequent user input. The user is also enabled to delete previously entered characters, with appropriate modification of the other characters presently displayed. In general, the Arabic text displayed is immediately updated to reflect each new character of user input, and is always maintained in a state of orthographic correctness.