Mechanical limitations in composition on TypewritersScattered shapes versus Inscript layoutData Processing and standards for Indian scriptsThe advantage of Spell-checkersResistance to change from TypewriterEnglish Phonetic typing for QWERTY usersLearning Inscript Keyboard
Conclusion Data input through the keyboard forms an important part of the computer usage. And, for using Indian languages on computers we must review the options. The two options are the layout of mechanical typewriters and the Inscript (Indian script) layout.
Mechanical limitations in composition on Typewriters:As many are aware, the Typewriters were made in the time where mechanical restrictions forced poor design of QWERTY keyboard for English, ensuring slower typing for all. Our Indian languages being more complex, the situation is worse as different companies tried different keyboard layouts to manage the composition using the character slices. There have been changes and experienced typists tell us that they have changed layout atleast six times. There is no standard for typewriter layout in each Indian script. And it is different for various scripts.
In contrast INSCRIPT is only one layout and like QWERTY you can use it with any standard software that is available on computers. In school we were taught to write consonant first and then put the matra since our languages are phontetic. To type short-ii sound I need not type it before the consonant. Uniformity and ease of composition are the two strong points of the INSCRIPT keyboard. A person who follows this will intuitive method will have less spelling mistakes than the one who treats the script as a collection of character slices.
Scattered shapes versus Inscript layout:For a learner the typewriter keyboard is a nightmare since it requires memorizing the positions of shapes. The logic of placement is not visible. On Inscript layout there is no need of mugging-up as there anyone can see that vowels are on left side and consonants on the right. Various "vargs" and "matras" are kept together. This road-map is very intuitive and easy to learn and therefore requires less practice in order to start typing and achieve a good speed. It is ideal for fast touch typing and good even for the infrequent user.
Data Processing and standards for Indian scripts:New technologies bring new demands such as sorting the database. This is impossible using the type-writer keyboard layout, since sorting would give wrong results. Thus to take an example for certain matras like "small-ii", and instead of sorting on "Kii" the sort would be on "Ik".
In ISCII it has been easier to achieve basic data processing operations like alphabetic sorting only because of phonetic approach. And typing is closely connected to storage as well as intuitive editing. Bureau of Indian Standards has made ISCII and Inscript as a national standard (IS 13194:1991) to be followed on Computers and other electronic media so that multilingual data entry, storage, processing and exchange is possible and easier.
Amongst the software which allow typing through Typewriter layout, there is lot of inconsistency. None actually conforms to any of the typewriters. They have provided retrofits named as "XYZ-like keyboard" and most users experience stress and actually undergo change to type on them. On certain software a configurable keyboard was provided. Since composition in Indian scripts is complex and unlike English it cannot be re-configured satisfactorily to meet the specific needs. It can only be an approximation and help the users in transition.
The advantage of Spell-checkers:There are other problems of quality of composition when typed through the typewriter layout. Tools like Spell-checkers and thesaurus can do a poor pattern matching since they cannot interpret the language constructs. Without a proper Spell-checker any Word-processor is incomplete and the power of computer is not harnessed at all. A Spell-checker provides the confidence for increased usage of Indian languages in correspondence and publishing.
Moreover the typewriter keyboard is cumbersome and does not really allow for exact reproduction of characters e.g. the quarter "Ra" in Marathi as in "VARYA" is just a hyphen added before the character. A Spell-checker can't distinguish this as "Ra". This has been one of the major reasons for poor response to Vernacular typing.
Actual reports from the Department of Official languages says that very few people complete the typing training amongst the ones who are requested or deputed. People find it complex to compose mentally and type. It takes them longer to learn. Many people give up early and most prefer English for this reason. Inscript Keyboard is easy to learn and attaining a fair speed of 40-60 w.p.m. does not take much time. Also, pressure on attaining higher speed was more in case of Typewriters since every small correction required one to retype the entire page. With powerful editing features on Computers, one is not affected much by the speed even in English as productivity is higher.
Based on ISCII storage, powerful Spell-checkers have been made in many languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, etc. and are being enriched further.
Resistance to change from Typewriter:It takes some time before people learn a new thing which is more productive. The chief stumbling block is their fear of losing their speed on Typewriter due to expected unlearning of earlier skill. Actual cases have shown that it is not so. Our brain is very versatile. It can co-ordinate same hand and feet in different ways to allow us to ride a bicycle or drive a scooter or even a car. All on the same occasion by choice. We use the same hands to write with a pen or to type. Similarly, we can type on Typewriter and can "write" also with the INCRIPT keyboard.
The other is - whether they will be able to master it or not. And this is genuine since they carry an impression of great difficulty for learning vernacular typing. They feel that phonetic typing will involve mugging and extensive practice. But it is not so. We prefer to call it phonetic writing as opposed to typing. It is closer to what we learnt at an young age and we still do - write. People, who took months to get started on typewriter, got going on phonetic keyboard in a few days after their worries are taken care of.
The users of typewriters pose a question repeatedly for providing their layouts in the popular
multilingual solutions. They must understand these issues before asking for change in layout in software. These facts will make them aware of the reasons and help them in learning Inscript layout for the future ease on computers. It is beneficial to undergo this transition as early as possible.
English Phonetic typing for QWERTY users:
GIST has now introduced another concept of English phonetic typing on certain products. This is useful for persons not familiar with the script and who wish to get started using QWERTY layout itself. However it is best advisable to learn the Inscript key-board itself for maximum efficiency. English Phonetic typing may not be efficient for high speed use which is done best on Inscript layout directly.
Learning Inscript Keyboard:To facilitate the learning process a Inscript Keyboard Tutor software is now available free from CDAC or with any GIST product. This is preferred since most persons do not have time to attend specialized full-time courses. And above all once the Inscript keyboard is mastered, the same typist can type in any Indian language whether Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam or Tamil of course, provided he can read the script. Multi-lingual typists can be more versatile and hence have better job opportunities.
For the new users it is important that they find it easy to use our languages. If it is difficult on typewriter, the resistance is so strong that even the Department of Official Languages finds it difficult to make more persons attend the typing training courses. It should be as easy or even easier to use than QWERTY layout for English. They should be able to do it themselves. This is the idea behind the simple and well laid out Inscript layout which is common for all Brahmi based scripts.
Conclusion:Without trying to under-rate in any way the Typewriter keyboard, its many disadvantages preclude its use as an ideal solution to its being adopted onto the Computer. Inscript layout is a logical choice as an ideal solution which will harness the power of computers for the benefit of languages into the future.
