Abstract: A system displays data in a first and second alphabet selectable by the operator, the second alphabet being of the kind in which the characters differ in form according to their position in the context. The system receives data in the form of a sequence of standard binary code bytes representing alpha-numeric characters in the first alphabet, alpha-numeric characters in the second alphabet in which the characters are presented in one of the various forms possible for them in accordance with their position in the context, punctuation marks in the two alphabets, and editing functions. A display unit is connected to a ROM, both controlled by a processing unit wherein the ROM contains all of the characters of the first alphabet and all of the forms of all of the characters of the second alphabet including the form transmitted in the standard binary code and corresponding forms, depending upon their respective positions in the context.