Philippe Verdy wrote on 06/28/2003 02:48:01 AM:

> If the user strikes the two keys <patah> and <hiriq>, the input method
> for Traditional Hebrew will generate <patah,CGJ,hiriq>

That requires* an input method that is aware of the input context (or of 
what has already been input -- but awareness of context is far more 
reliable). How many systems do you know that are capable of that? It 
requires the input drivers, such as keyboard DLLs, that support 
context-sensitive operations; it requires application interfaces that 
allow the input driver to find out from the app what the input context is; 
and it requires applications that support that interface. Can you name for 
me any system on which the existing keyboard driver format supports 
context-sensitive rules? Can you name an application interface that allows 
input methods (other than full-blown input method editors -- i.e. 
something with a composition window) to communicate the input context to 
the input method, and can you name one or more apps that support this 
interface?

This is all stuff I'd like to see become commonplace for a variety of 
reasons, but I doubt we'll see that happen for the sake of Biblical 
Hebrew.

*That is, unless you expect the input method to generate CGJ after *every* 
vowel (ugh!).



> On Windows XP (for example), the language bar (or its
> user-selected accelerator keys) allows such immediate switch of
> input methods. I don't see why there would not be for the
> Hebrew language, two keyboard input methods

The problem isn't requiring multiple input methods for different purposes; 
it's having an input method and application that can interact with 
particular behaviours.



- Peter


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Constable

Non-Roman Script Initiative, SIL International
7500 W. Camp Wisdom Rd., Dallas, TX 75236, USA
Tel: +1 972 708 7485


Reply via email to