The differences in Chinese font glyphs among various regions go beyond just the choice between Simplified and Traditional characters; they extend into more intricate typographical details such as stroke styles, turnings, conjunctions, and the overall aesthetic preferences.
In Mainland China, where Simplified Chinese is predominantly used, fonts are typically designed with more straightforward and efficient stroke patterns. The simplification process was aimed at reducing the number of strokes in each character, and this is reflected in the fonts, where strokes are often cleaner, more angular, and less ornate. The turnings—where a stroke changes direction—tend to be sharper and more geometric. The conjunctions, where two or more strokes meet, are typically less complex and more streamlined to emphasize simplicity and readability.
On the other hand, in regions like Taiwan and Hong Kong, where Traditional Chinese is the norm, fonts retain the more complex and historical forms of the characters. The strokes in these fonts are generally more elaborate, with a greater focus on calligraphic elegance. Turnings in Traditional Chinese fonts are often more fluid and curved, mimicking the brushstroke-like quality seen in classical Chinese calligraphy. The conjunctions tend to be more intricate, with a higher density of strokes meeting at various points, creating a richer and more ornate appearance. For instance, the character "龙" in Simplified Chinese has fewer strokes than its Traditional counterpart "龍," where the complexity is evident in the detailed turnings and conjunctions.