Stenography

This page describes a machine stenography layout for Toaq, created by User:Lynn. This lets you write Toaq words one syllable at a time using a steno keyboard and software like Plover.

How it works

The keyboard layout

The layout is built for writing one raku at a time. The leftmost seven keys write initial consonants:

b	c	ch	d	f	g	h	j	k	l	m	n	nh	p	r	s	sh	t	ꝡ	z
PW	KR	KH	TK	TP	TKPW	H	SKWR	K	HR	PH	TPH	KWR	P	R	S	SH	T	W	KW

The thumbs write the first vowel of the raku, but never falling diphthongs.

a	e	ı	o	u
(no key)	E	EU	O	U

The right-hand vowels labeled in lowercase are used for writing diphthongs.

-a	-e	-ı	-o	-u	aı	ao	eı	oı
a	e	eu	o	u	aoeu	ao	ae	ou

Some examples:

ka	ke	kı	kıa	kaı	koe	keo	keı	kıe	kıeı	koao
K	KE	KEU	KEUa	Kaoeu	KOe	KEo	Kae	KEUe	KEUae	KOao

The + key suppresses a space before syllable, allowing you to write compounds: HU/P+EU is hupı.

The q and m keys add a coda to the syllable.

The right pinky chooses the tone: 2 adds and 3 adds . Pressing them both adds .

Pressing 1 adds a grave accent (à) for use with the prefix reform.

To write the syllable a, press a.

To add an underdot beneath the syllable you just typed, press u. A more convenient way to write prefixes involves briefs, like PW*E for bẹ.

How to use it

The layout is implemented as a Plover dictionary, where the English -FRPBLGTSZ keys represent the Toaq -aoeumq321 keys. The -D key isn't used.

For Plover users: install the plover-python-dictionary plugin from the Plugin Manager, then add toaq-steno.py.

Embedded steno users can install the JSON version. You won't be able to write underdots unless you use briefs.

Briefs

You can add your own briefs on top of the theory. Here's a small example to get you started.

{
    "TP-PL": "{.}",
    "TP-BG": "{!}",
    "KW-PL": "{?}",
    "KW-BG": "{,}",

    "WR*": "{&ꝡ}",
    "WR*P": "{&Ꝡ}",
    "PH*U": "mụ{^}",
    "PW*U": "bụ{^}",
    "PW*E": "bẹ{^}",
    "KWR-F": "nhána",
    "STPHAG": "níchaq"
}

Example

	Zaı	jí	,	ꝡä	foaq	toakaı	súq	chôq	ní	da	.
Toaq layout	KWaoeu	SKWREU2	KWuq	W3	TPOaq	TOa/K+aoeu	SUq2	KHOq32	TPHEU2	TK	TPem
Actual keys	KW-FRPB	SKWREUS	KW-BG	W-T	TPOFG	TOF/KAFRPB	SUGS	KHOGTS	TPHEUS	TK-	TP-PL

Toggling languages

For Plover users:

1. Add toaq-briefs.json at the very top of your dictionary stack, and toaq.py just below it.
2. Install the plover-dict-commands plugin from the Plugins Manager in Plover.
3. In the "Add Translation" TKUPT dialog, add an entry like so:
   • Dictionary: user.json
   • Strokes: PHRAOPBG
   • Translation: {PLOVER:TOGGLE_DICT:!toaq.py,!toaq-briefs.json}

Now you can switch between Toaq and English using PHRAOPBG. (Plover + Toaq = Ploang! 🎉)