Shaw JAFL | ๐๐ท ๐ก๐จ๐๐ฉ๐ค Keyboard Help
The Shavian alphabet is an alternative, phonemic way to write English. The alphabet takes its name from Irish writer Bernard Shaw who inspired and posthumously funded it.
For further information about the Shavian alphabet visit Shavian.info.
Shavian.info has developed a keyboard layout called Shaw JAFL, short for โJust another โfabulousโ layoutโ. Shaw JAFL:
- has been optimised using carpalx to minimise typing effort
- fits within the three rows of keys commonly used for Latin alphabet layouts (i.e. the numerals remain where they normally are)
- places less common letters in the SHIFT layer, and
- uses key combinations to access compound letters.
Keyboard Layout
Desktop and onscreen layouts
The desktop and onscreen layouts are identical.
The default and SHIFT layers of Shaw JAFL are fairly self-explanatory. Common letters are easier to type and common combinations of letters have been optimised.
To type the compound letters (๐ธ, ๐น, ๐บ, ๐ป, ๐ผ, ๐ฝ, & ๐ฟ), simply type:
- ๐ฉ then ๐ฎ for ๐ผ
- ๐ฆ then ๐ฉ for ๐พ
- ๐ฆ then ๐ฉ then ๐ฎ for ๐ฝ
- ๐ณ then ๐ฎ for ๐ป
- ๐ฑ then ๐ฎ for ๐บ
- ๐ญ then ๐ฎ for ๐ธ
- ๐ท then ๐ฎ for ๐น
- ๐ then ๐ต for ๐ฟ
The compound letters ๐ฟ, ๐ธ and ๐น are also assigned to single keys on the SHIFT layer. These are relatively common single letter words in English and having a single key for them saves a combination involving SHIFT layer letters, if desired.
Double guillemets (ยซ ยป) may also be typed by entering two single guillemets (โน + โน or โบ + โบ).
To prevent a compound letter being formed (e.g. to type ๐ฉ๐ฎ or ๐ฆ๐ฉ) type ๐ฉ then SHIFT + โ๐ฎ, ๐ฆ then SHIFT + โ๐ฉ, etc. For example, if you wish to type ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฆ and not ๐ฃ๐ป๐ฆ, you will need to type ๐ณ followed by SHIFT + โ๐ฎ.
A special key, marked by a star โ on the SHIFT layer, also breaks compound letters into their component letters once formed. For example the ๐๐ต combination does not occur natively in Shavian but may be accessed by typing letter ๐ฟ and then โ.
The โ key also inserts a โvariation selectorโ used to access the Shavian extended letters for the Inter Alia font (it will only work for this font and any others specifically designed for this), see the Inter Alia Github repository for more explanation.
Phone layout
The phone layout is adjusted for ease of typing on a small screen.
Letters in the SHIFT layer may be accessed by pressing SHIFT, or by a long hold on the key, or by flicking down on the key (whichever you prefer). CAPS LOCK may be accessed by double tapping SHIFT.
Typing and breaking compound letters (๐ธ, ๐น, ๐บ, ๐ป, ๐ผ, ๐ฝ, & ๐ฟ) is done in the same way as on the desktop and on-screen layouts as set out above. The extended Shavian letters may also be accessed as set out above.
Pressing the [123] key will bring up the numbers and a range of symbols, arranged in a similar layout to the standard iOS keyboard. Long hold keys include additional symbols.
Pressing the [~ยฟยก] key will bring up a range of additional symbols, including some accessible by long hold keys.
Pressing the [abc] key will bring up a standard US English QWERTY layout keyboard to allow typing in the Latin alphabet. Long hold keys allow the entry of a selection of diacritics, common International Phonetic Alphabet symbols used for English.
Tablet layout
The layout for tablet is substantially similar to the desktop and on-screen layouts above, but includes a symbols layer similar to the phone layout.
