The transcription of Greek texts employs the following system of symbols (the so-called ‘Leidener Klammersystem’1 ):
dots dots under letters (α̣β̣γ̣) indicate uncertain letters, plain dots (…) indicate the approximate numbers of illegible or lost letters
( ) indicates the solution to an abbreviation or symbol
[ ] indicates a lacuna in the original
⟨ ⟩ indicates an omission by the ancient scribe
{ } indicates a cancellation by the editor of the text
⟦ ⟧ indicates a deletion by the ancient scribe
⸌ ⸍ indicates an interlinear addition
The transcription of Demotic texts employs a similar system of symbols, except for the use of dots under letters, which indicate special consonants rather than uncertain letters.
⌈ ⌉ indicates a partial restoration or words or signs of uncertain reading
? indicates uncertain readings
( ) indicates an addition made by the editor for the sake of greater clarity and/or word not written but assumed in speech
Cf. B.A. VAN GRONINGEN, ‘Projet d’unification des systèmes de signes critiques’, CdÉ 7 (1932), pp. 262–269.