Looks like a font issue to me. Even if you disable fonts like you describe, there might mbe some cache file lurking.
Try a Safe Boot as described here:
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20050613071421891
If this doesn't help, I'd re-install first repair priviledges using Disk Utility, and if that doesn't work re-installMacOSX using the Archive and Install option (and then immediately re-apply the latest Combo System update, and again Repair using Disk utility.
AC4.1-AC26SWE; MacOS13.5.1; MP5,1+MBP16,1