From b5f85604f4df706312928d18307723f6cf62af10 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: CJSatnarine Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:01:16 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] added unicode stuff --- README.md | 29 +++++++++++++++++++---------- 1 file changed, 19 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 42bf0eb..9bdfe84 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,21 +1,30 @@ # About In this project, I want to design, programme, and build a keyboard that uses a custom Middle English language layout. The design is inspired by a mix of the Icelandic and US-English keyboard layouts. I have no formal education in linguistics, but it does interest me. -The inspiration for this project came from being a bit annoyed at copying and pasting certain Middle English characters repeatedly. While looking for a layout online, I stumbled across [A Keyboard Layout for Old English and Middle English](https://fieldomoss.com/old-english-keyboard) by [Moss Quanci](https://fieldomoss.com/), but I found it very complicated for my simple use, as I needed only the Middle English characters and extra diacritics for Old English were necessary for me. To add to that, I'm a Linux user (i use arch btw), so I wasn't able to use the layout as it was targeted towards Windows and Mac users. As I couldn't use it, I decided to make my own. +The inspiration for this project came from being a bit annoyed at copying and pasting certain Middle English characters repeatedly. While looking for a layout online, I stumbled across [A Keyboard Layout for Old English and Middle English](https://fieldomoss.com/old-english-keyboard) by [Moss Quanci](https://fieldomoss.com/), but I found it very complicated for my simple use, as I needed only the Middle English characters and extra diacritics for Old English were unnecessary for me. To add to that, I'm a Linux user (i use arch btw), so I wasn't able to use the layout as it was targeted towards Windows and Mac users. As I couldn't use it, I decided to make my own. + +> I should note that this project is either abandoned or postponed. This is because I discovered alt codes and didn't need to have a keyboard layout just to type some letters. It also saved me time from actually designing another layout, because researching for Middle English has taken a lot of time and I'll need more time to research the language. Perhaps I can return to this at a later time, but for now I just use the alt codes. Or just use an Icelandic keyboard layout. + +### Alt Codes for Letters (Linux) +So for linux I type `CTRL + SHIFT + u + [Unicode]` to get the character. +Here is a list of some Middle English characters with their unicode: +- `Þ` (uppercase thorn) is `00DE` +- `þ` (lowercase thorn) is `00FE` +- `Ð` (uppercase eth) is `00D0` +- `ð` (lowercase eth) is `00F0` +- `Æ` (uppercase ash) is `00C6` +- `æ` (lowercase ash) is `00E6` +- `Ȝ` (uppercase yogh) is `021C` +- `ȝ` (lowercase yogh) is `021D` + +Perhaps it'll be inconvenient to memorise all off them, but I guess you could switch to a Icelandic keyboard for some of þe letters (such as þ, æ, and ð) and for þe rest idk. I'll work on a keyboard later because of þis. As I research more, I'll add more letters þat are *probably* important. -*This project is currently in a draft state. I will keep working on it whenever I have free time.* # Design Choices -As mentioned earlier, I am not a linguist, so I am unsure which letters and accents are appropriate for the time period Middle English was used. I will of course do my research, but do feel free to reach out to make suggestions and/or corrections. Any help is greatly appreciated. +As mentioned earlier, I am not a linguist, so I am unsure which letters and accents are appropriate for þe time period Middle English was used. I will of course do my research, but do feel free to reach out to make suggestions and/or corrections. Any help is greatly appreciated. -Also mentioned earlier, the Middle English keyboard layout is inspired by a mix of the Icelandic and US-English keyboard layouts. I have tried to keep the layout as close to possible to the US-English layout while having the extra keys from the Icelandic layout. +Also mentioned earlier, þe Middle English keyboard layout is inspired by a mix of þe Icelandic and US-English keyboard layouts. I have tried to keep þe layout as close to possible to þe US-English layout while having þe extra keys from þe Icelandic layout. ## Draft of layout: ![Middle English Keyboard Layout Draft](MiddleEnglishKeyboard.png) *Credit of original image to: https://2-5.org/pages/icelandic-basic-keyboard* - -### Changes: -- *w* to be replaced with *ƿ* (wynn) - -### List of Key Combinations: -*To be added later* \ No newline at end of file