# Versicle and response symbols

I want to properly typeset the versicle and response symbols. The versicle symbol looks like this:

and the response symbol is the same but with "R" instead of "V".

The Comprehensive LaTeX Symbol List provides a solution which requires XeLaTeX and the Junicode font, but is there a way to properly typeset the symbols using pdfLaTeX (i.e. is there a package which provides the symbols)? If not, what is the best way to construct the symbols manually?

I managed to construct something that looks like a versicle with

\newcommand{\versicle}{$\mathbf{\not{\mkern -3mu \mathrm{V}}}$}


but I'm not skilled at constructing symbols and I know that's not right.

I'm open to using XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX if necessary to properly typeset these symbols but I'd like to know if there is a good way to do it with pdfLaTeX.

An example of the use of these symbols can be found in, e.g., Wikipedia's article on the Tantum ergo:

• Are rthey symbols for maths relations, or binary relations? – Bernard Jul 1 at 20:05
• @Bernard No, I used math mode simply so I could use \not for the slash. My code is very much a hack, just to demonstrate that I tried to make my own but lack the skill/knowledge to do it. – Null Jul 1 at 20:15

A poorman’s version:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\makeatletter
\DeclareRobustCommand{\versicle}{\vers@resp{-0.1em}{V}}
\DeclareRobustCommand{\response}{\vers@resp{0pt}{R}}

\newcommand{\vers@resp@sym}{\raisebox{0.2ex}{\rotatebox[origin=c]{-20}{$\m@th\rceil$}}}

\newcommand{\vers@resp}[2]{%
{\ooalign{\hidewidth\kern#1\vers@resp@sym\hidewidth\cr#2\cr}}%
}
\makeatother

\begin{document}

\versicle

\response

\end{document}


You may need to fine tune the parameters for a different font.

Here is a possibility with stackengine.

\documentclass[border = 6pt]{standalone}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{stackengine}
\newcommand{\versicle}{\kern-0.25em \stackinset{r}{0.33ex}{c}{}{\rotatebox{-30}{\normalsize$\rceil$}}{V}}

\newcommand{\response}{\kern-0.25em\stackinset{r}{0.35ex}{c}{}{ \rotatebox{-30}{\normalsize$\rceil$}}{R}}

\begin{document}

A \versicle B \quad C \response D

\end{document}


• That looks a lot better than mine, +1! The symbols aren't used in math mode, though, so I'd have \versicle and \response enter and exit math mode as part of the marco. I added an example of the use of the symbols to my question to better show the usage. – Null Jul 1 at 20:51
• Beware the code used some math kerning, so you'd have to convert it to ordinary kerning (and change the unit – mu is a unit specifically for math kerning. – Bernard Jul 1 at 21:39
• I've updated my answer for text mode. The code is simpler. Please see if it's fine for you. – Bernard Jul 1 at 21:55
• How did I miss this question? LOL! +1 for stackengine – Steven B. Segletes Jul 2 at 10:39
• @StevenB.Segletes: it's my favourite tool to make new symbols out of other symbols… – Bernard Jul 2 at 10:48

There is a very simple way to do that: using "gregorio" in LualaTex:

% !TEX TS-program = lualatex

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[bitstream-charter]{mathdesign}%I like this font, but you can use another font.
\usepackage{gregoriotex}
\begin{document}

\Vbar

\Rbar

\end{document}