::first-letter doesn't capture opening-quote+space+letter

[r12a]

This applies to all languages that add a space between initial punctuation and the text that follows.

When a paragraph begins with a quotation mark or other punctuation and there is a space between it and the first letter, both the punctuation and the space separator should be included in the ::first-letter pseudo element.

Just below is an example in French. There is a tendency to prefer NNBSP (Narrow no-break space) because it is about the right width and prevents incorrect breaking. This should, however, also work when a normal space or the Non-break Space is used.

A similar requirement occurs in Norwegian, although a different punctuation mark is used to indicate the start of the quotation.

The GAP

With an initial «,

• Gecko highlights punctuation and first letter when the punctuation is followed by no space, by U+0020, and by NBSP. Nothing is highlighted when the gap is a NNBSP.
• Blink highlights punctuation and first letter when there is no space. When U+0020 or NBSP intervene, nothing is highlighted. When NNBSP is used, only the punctuation is highlighted.
• Webkit highlights punctuation and first letter when the punctuation is followed by no space, by U+0020, and by NBSP. Only the punctuation is highlighted when the gap is a NNBSP.

With an initial ― (horizontal bar) or — (em space),

• Gecko highlights punctuation and first letter when the punctuation is followed by no space, by U+0020, and by NBSP. Nothing is highlighted when the gap is a NNBSP.
• Blink highlights punctuation alone in all three cases.
• Webkit highlights punctuation alone in all three cases.

Priority

Marking this as advanced because initial-letter styling is not essential. It is, however, common enough to need some attention.

Tests

Interactive test Initial-letter selections capture punctuation and initial letter when separated by space

Action taken

CSS issues:

• ::first-letter should include space separators #5154 (Closed)
• Fine-tuning ::first-letter punctuation pattern matching #5830
• ::first-letter should include whitespace #2164
• Allow intervening space and no-break space in ::first-letter, preceding the letter #9413

Bug reports:
Blink • Webkit • Mozilla

Outcomes

css-pseudo-4 text edited to include any intervening space separators.
browser bugs tbd

[r12a]

The first comment in this issue contains text that will automatically appear in one or more gap-analysis documents as a subsection with the same title as this issue. Any edits made to that comment will be immediately available in the document. Proposals for changes or discussion of the content can be made in comments below this point.

Relevant gap analysis documents include:
French

[xfq]

Added links to browser bug reports.