CJKV Information Processing, 2nd Edition

Transliteration Techniques

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Transliteration Techniques

Before we can begin to discuss the basics of CJKV input, to include input methods and

keyboard arrays, it is necessary to rst cover the issue of transliteration. is is because

the most broadly used input methods provide a facility to use the universally accepted

QWERTY keyboard array. In other words, all CJKV scripts can be expressed using Latin

characters or with a set of native alphabetic or native elements, through the use of trans-

literation techniques and principles.

Zhuyin Versus Pinyin Input

Zhuyin (also known as bopomofo) and Pinyin are related in that there is always a way to

represent the same set of sounds using either writing system. Both systems are phonetic,

but Pinyin is based on Latin characters.

ere are three types of Pinyin input, as follows:

Half Pinyin (• /󰚐 jinpīn)

Full Pinyin (•  quánpīn)

Double Pinyin (•  shuāngpīn)

Fortunately, these three methods are easily accommodated using the standard QWERTY

keyboard array.

Full Pinyin functions by simply typing the Pinyin equivalent of hanzi. Note that any Pinyin-

based input methods result in a (sometimes long) list of candidate hanzi from which the

user must choose. is is the nature of most indirect input methods.

Double Pinyin functions by rst dividing the Pinyin reading into two parts. Certain letter

combinations are replaced with single characters ...