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ETHIOPIC
(g]z)
Ethiopic Typing
By Aberra Molla
© 1999 Ethiopian Computers &
Software
_________________________________________________________________
Our standard Ethiopic typing method is
based on the English typing method of the IBM QWERTY keyboard. The Ethiopic typing was also
developed so that those who know how to use the keyboard simultaneously
learn to how to type in Amharic and English alphabets. The same
basic principle is followed for DVORAC.
With Ethiopic typing one sees Ethiopic
characters on the screen. The size, color, alignment, and other features
of the Ethiopic characters are changeable just like the Latin. The
Ethiopic characters can be mixed with other characters such as Latin.
The ancient Ethiopic first order
characters are equivalent to the Latin capital letters. The Ethiopic "M" character is
equivalent to the Latin "M" character. The Latin "M"
character is typed using the "Shift" and the "M" keys. Similarly, the
Ethiopic "M"
character is typed using "Shift M". The name of the Latin
"m" key of the keyboard is "M". Similarly, the name
of the Ethiopic "M" or "M"
key is "M".
The Ethiopic "m" character
is equivalent to the Latin "m". As a result, the "m"
character or "m"
is typed by just striking the "M" key.
In the standard typing method I
created I decided that the Ethiopic vowel forms be typed just like the
Latin. For instance to type the Ethiopic "l" or "lu"
character, one strikes the "L" and "U" keys. This is
the same as typing "lu" in English. This brings up the single
Ethiopic "l"
character or "lu" which has the same sound as "lu"
in "Luke". Thus the Gečz second order characters are typed
using the consonants and "u". The Ethiopic second order "mu"
or "m" character, as in "moon"
is typed as "mu". In Ethiopic both "lu" as in "Luke"
and "mu" as in "moon"
belong to the same order. This ancient invention is simple, correct and
also logical probably making Gečz or Ethiopic one of the best
alphabets, if not the best.
The Ethiopic third order characters
or syllables emulate the Latin "i" vowel modifications. Thus
"mi", as in "mist" is equivalent to "mi"
or Ethiopic "m".
"m" is typed by
striking "mi".
The Ethiopic fourth order characters
emulate the Latin "a" vowel modifications. Thus
"ma", as in "man" is equivalent to "ma" or
Ethiopic "m".
"m" is typed by
striking "ma"
The Ethiopic fifth order characters
emulate the Latin "e" vowel modifications. Thus
"me", as in "men" is equivalent to "me" or
Ethiopic "m".
"m" is typed by
striking "me"
The Ethiopic "m" character
is equivalent to the Latin "m". As a result, the "m"
character or "m"
is typed by just striking the "M" key. The Ethiopic sixth
order characters are similar to the default sounds of the lower key
computer characters. Thus the "m" sound for the Ethiopic
"m"
character as in "Sam" is typed by just striking the
"M" key. Striking the "M" key
means typing the "m" character; not the "M"
character or "Shift M". Other examples of sixth order sounds
are Ethiopic "l" or "l"
as in "mile" and "g" or "g"
as in "dog". Those who are not familiar with Ethiopic, may
wonder why these characters in "Sam,
"mile and "enough"
belong to the same six order. If there is any confusion with this
concept, it is a problem brought about by the Latin alphabet, not by the
Ethiopic.
The Ethiopic seventh order characters
emulate the Latin "o" vowel modifications. Thus
"mo", as in "most" is equivalent to "mo"
or Ethiopic "m"."m"
is typed by striking "mo".
This typing method
was standardized at the insistence of many Ethiopians. This method is
very simple specially for those who know how to type English. Another
advantage is because the Amharic can be typed without the need for an
Ethiopic overlay and those who do not know how to type can seek and peck.
(For more
information and exceptions, buy our
software and read the EthioWord Manual. The Ethiopic typed with our
software can be posted and searched on the Net. All one has to do is to
save it as HTML.)
______________________________________________________
Yg]z aiif
Yg]zn i'fc
YmniFw Bg]z fDlt
Nw# MDBow Yg]z YkmpyTr Aiif YTM>RTw Yanglzow Aiif
ly shn Yg]z
g]zn Yltn
kptl And BMhnCw
Yltnn YMrGx
sm Lg]z
g]zm sm SucwLh#
sLzh Yltn Y[M]
MrGx
sm Yg]zm
Y[M]
MrGx sm
Nw# Bzh
YTNs [M] YmiFw
anD ltn
[M]
B[Shift] an
[M]
MrGxwc Nw#
Yg]z
k]b Kltn [u]
`Wl gr YTQrRB
Nw# sLzh [m]
YmKTBw B[mu] MrGxwc Nw#
Yg]z
.ls Kltn [i]
`Wl gr YTQrRB
Nw# sLzh [m]
YmiFw B[mi] MrGxwc Nw#
Yg]z
rb] Kltn [a]
`Wl gr YTQrRB
Nw# sLzh [m]
YmiFw B[ma] MrGxwc Nw#
Yg]z
;ms Kltn [e]
`Wl gr YTQrRB
Nw# sLzh [m]
YmiFw B[me] MrGxwc Nw#
Yg]z
.ds Kltn Tr fDl [default
lower case] gr
YTQrRB
Nw# sLzh
[m] YmiFw B[m]
MrGx Nw#
Yg]z
.b] Kltn [o]
`Wl gr YTQrRB
Nw# sLzh [m]
YmiFw B[mo] MrGxwc Nw#
|
ankn
Dhn Mu!
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