Pinyin input method: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:17, 22 April 2007

Revision as of 14:24, 22 April 2007

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The '''pinyin method''' ({{zh-tstp|s=拼音输入法|t=拼音輸入法|p=Pīnyīn shūrù fǎ}}) refers to a family of [[Chinese input methods for computers|input methods]] based on the [[pinyin]] method of romanization.

In the most basic form, the pinyin method allows a user to input Chinese characters by entering the pinyin of a Chinese character (with or without tone, depending on the system) and then presenting the user with a list of possible characters with that pronunciation. However, there are a number of slightly different such systems in use, and modern pinyin methods provide a number of convenience features.

Pinyin-based input methods differ in a number of possible aspects, including:

* Input of the letter ü: The letter ü might need to be input using different keys in different systems. Currently in the Microsoft Hanyu pinyin system, ü is inputted by typing the letter "v." For example, 女 (pinyin: nǚ; femalegirl/woman) would be entered as "nv".

* Handling of tones: Entering of the Mandarin tones might be mandatory (带调/帶調), or tones might need to be omitted (不带调/不帶調)

* Number of Chinese characters to convert: In the most basic systems, one character is converted at a time; in more sophisticated systems, the user can convert two or more characters at a time

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Most pinyin-based input methods provide convenience features to speed up the input of characters. The most common convenience features include

* allowing the user to input more than one character at a time

* guessing the next character after the user has input a character ('''association''' 联想/聯想)

* adjusting the position of candidate characters in the list, based on the frequency that the characters are typed

* allowing the user to omit all but the first or first couple of letters in the pinyin spelling

* allowing a user who cannot speak perfect Mandarin to input slightly incorrect pronunciations (fuzzy input 模糊音)

Some of these convenience features can speed up typing immensely. For example, it might be possible to get the word for "concert" (音乐会/音樂会) by just inputting "yyh" (versus "yinyuehui"). Input of longer words or phrases may be sped up even more if the system recognizes the words.

==Advantages and disadvantages==