CJKV Information Processing, 2nd Edition

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CHAPTER 5

Input Methods

In earlier chapters you were introduced to the complexities of CJKV writing systems,

their character set standards, and their encoding methods. Now it is time for you to learn

something about how a user is able to input the tens of thousand of characters that are

made available in these character set standards, and which are encoded for today’s OSes.

Mainly due to the vast number of characters set forth in CJKV character set standards,

there is no simple solution for user input, such as direct keyboard input, as you would nd

in the West. Instead, you will nd that CJKV input methods fall into the following two

general categories:

Direct methods

Employ a unique value for the target character, usually one of its encoded values.

Indirect methods

Usually more convenient or intuitive, these obtain the encoded value of the target

character or characters, usually by typing out the reading or shape on a standard or

specialized keyboard.

Examples provided in this chapter will demonstrate that the indirect input methods are

the most commonly used, and appropriately so, because they usually involve the reading

or structure of a character, both of which are more intuitive than any other type of input.

Aer all, native speakers of CJKV languages learn ideographs by their readings. ere

are ideographs, however, that are not commonly known, and these are typically inpu ...