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If you're familiar with software like Unikey, GoTiengViet, or Vietkey, you probably know how to compose text, type Vietnamese, and send punctuated messages using these tools. These Vietnamese typing programs support various input methods and encoding schemes, each with its unique key mappings. To learn about the popular encoding schemes on current Vietnamese typing tools and how to use them, refer to the article on encoding methods for typing Vietnamese on Unikey, Telex, VNI, and VIQR below.
Character Encoding Schemes for Vietnamese Typing on Unikey, Telex, VNI, and VIQR
In essence, a character map is the format of an input method with specific character variations, while a typing style is the approach that Vietnamese typing tools like Unikey use to represent accented letters through keyboard input.
1. Telex Typing Style in Unikey
Unlike VNI and VIQR typing styles, the Telex typing style in Unikey and other Vietnamese typing software has a character map for diacritics and special letters separated as follows
As you can see, the character map for special letters in Telex requires you to type the character again to add the accent or combine it with w to add a hook/tilde.
Telex typing style dictates that single diacritics are replaced by specific letter characters as follows:
When combining multiple special letters and single diacritics, you'll find it easy to type shortcuts.
Example: đường = dduongwf or duongdwf
In case you input a character with the wrong diacritic, you can type z immediately after completing the word to restore the correct character.
Characters with accents and special letters in the Telex typing style are conveniently arranged on the keyboard, making it easy for users to quickly familiarize themselves with the typing method. Despite the need to combine 2 or more characters to form a special letter or accented character, Telex provides a comfortable typing experience for users. Among the encoding schemes for typing Vietnamese on Unikey, Telex, VNI, and VIQR, Telex is the most commonly used typing style in Vietnam.
2. VNI Typing Style in Unikey
The second most popular typing style in Vietnam. The VNI typing style uses numerical keys to create special characters or diacritics instead of using letters like the Telex typing style.
Similar to Telex, the VNI typing style allows you to type shortcuts without needing to follow a specific order to complete a word.
Example: road = road972
To erase an accidentally typed diacritic, you can use key 0 immediately after completing a word with a diacritic.
Example: road9720 = roadway
3. VIQR Typing Style in Unikey
VIQR typing style in Unikey or any other Vietnamese typing tool enables you to type accents in a 'teen code' style, specifically as follows
If you're accustomed to typing and using special characters to represent diacritics, the VIQR typing style is suitable for you. To correct diacritics or remove accidentally typed diacritics, you can use key 0 , similar to the VNI typing style in Unikey.
To type special characters individually without turning them into accents or single diacritics, you can use key \ or repeat that special character once more to achieve this.
Example: ear\? or ear?? => ear?
When dealing with character encodings for Vietnamese typing on Unikey, Telex, VNI, and VIQR, creating uppercase accented characters is a breeze. Just type the first letter in uppercase, and add supplementary characters for accents or single diacritics using lowercase characters on the Unicode, Composite Unicode, or other 2-byte encoding schemes.
However, on 1-byte encoding schemes like TCVN3, BK HCM1,..., you must type the entire word in uppercase to create an uppercase accented character.
Here is the character encoding chart for Vietnamese typing on Unikey, Telex, VNI, and VIQR. It provides a deeper understanding of how to use these tools and the latest, most popular typing styles. This helps you find a typing method that suits you best, maximizing your typing speed.
In addition to the ability to type quickly with Unikey, the tool also allows you to use shortcuts for faster typing when composing text or messages. Setting up shortcuts on Unikey is entirely straightforward. Best of luck!
