Can utf-8 chars be stored safely in char variables?

Thus asketh the developers: What datatypes can we safely store utf-8 data in? Version: IDS 9.3 Backround: We are going to write applications in perl that take data entry and output data in French. I think the database was created in en_us, but I'm not sure how to verify that fact. The utf-8 conversion will be handled in the external application, and the database will be sent a stream of utf-8 encoded data to store. The developers want to know what datatype to use so that the data will not be translated when it hits the database. I'm pretty sure that what we're proposing is working outside of GLS, but I'm not sure. The GLS guide has not been much help, but if you know of a section I should be reading, please mention it. TIA Dave Thacker