Latin iota and i/ı are identical when with top accent in Italic

[moyogo]

Description

Latin iota (ɩ) and i/ı are identical in Italic, which is problematic because ɩ and i used at the same time with top accents in some languages (for example Lokpa or Nkonya).

ıɩı́ɩ́ in Regular, both Mono or Code, where ɩ and i/ı are different:

ıɩı́ɩ́ in Italic, both Mono or Code, where there is no distinction between ɩ and ı or accented ɩ and i:

Proposed implementation

Replace the top curved terminal from Latin iota (ɩ) by either a straight terminal or a terminal with left and right serifs or topbar. The straight terminal form is still a bit ambiguous and could be read as i/ı, the topbar form is a bit unusual but is not ambiguous.

[moyogo]

The terminal with left and right serifs or topbar is based on one suggestion for the old IPA symbols. After futher consideration, it’s a rather peculiar option for some orthographies nowadays.

[aaronbell]

Out of interest, would it be sufficient to have a "sharpened" corner Latin iota not unlike the Regular version? I suppose that could still be confused at small sizes / first glance.

[moyogo]

The IPA people were well aware of the issue and weren't sure how to deal with this (the form with top serifs being proposed there already): https://typo.social/@moyogo/111204841055206360

The corner top on iota would be better than no difference but it still wouldn't be clear, especially at small sizes as you note. Both forms could be either letter still.

Beside the straight-top-hook-bottom, which is also ambiguous, and the top-serifs-hook-bottom an alternative would be to have a more pronounced hook-bottom for iota. The defining feature of the letter is really its hook bottom. Either tops could work with that one, one different from the one used in i could be used if that's preferred.