Phonetic-based Chinese input methods for computers

interface of pinyin input method, showing need choose appropriate word out of list of options. word typed wikipedia in mandarin chinese, options shown include (from top bottom) wikipedia, uncyclopedia, wiki, crisis, , rules violation.

the user enters pronunciations converted relevant chinese characters. user must select desired character homophones, common in chinese. modern systems, such sogou pinyin , google pinyin, predict desired characters based on context , user preferences. example, if 1 enters sounds jicheng, software type 繼承 (to inherit), if jichengche entered, 計程車 (taxi) appear.

various chinese dialects complicate system. phonetic methods based on standard pinyin, zhuyin/bopomofo, , jyutping in china, taiwan, , hong kong, respectively. input method based on other variation of chinese, hakka or minnan exist.

while phonetic system easy learn, choosing appropriate chinese characters slows typing speed. users report typing speed of fifty characters per minute, though reach on 1 hundred per minute. phonetic imes, in addition predictive input based on previous conversions, possible users create custom dictionary entries used characters , phrases, potentially lowering number of characters required evoke it.

shuangpin

the microsoft pinyin 2003 shuangpin scheme.

shuangpin, literally dual spell, stenographical phonetic input method based on hanyu pinyin reduces number of keystrokes 1 chinese character 2 distributing every vowel , consonant composed of more 1 letter specific key. in shuangpin layout schemes such xiaohe, microsoft 2003 , ziranma, used vowels placed on middle layer, reducing risk of repetitive strain injury.

shuangpin supported large number of pinyin input software including qq, microsoft bing pinyin, sogou pinyin , google pinyin.