@dkubb I think it does not. Or maybe I'm using it wrong:

1.8:
```ruby
1.8.7 :001 > require 'backports'
 => true
1.8.7 :002 > 'ö'.chars.count
 => 2
```

1.9:
```ruby
1.9.3p392 :001 > require 'backports'
 => true
1.9.3p392 :002 > 'ö'.chars.count
 => 1
```