GeezIME vs GeezEdit: Which One is Better for Writing Amharic on Mac?
Amharic Keyboard Download for Mac
Amharic is an Ethiopian Semitic language that is spoken by over 32 million people in Ethiopia and other countries. It is the official language of Ethiopia and one of the oldest languages in the world. Learning Amharic can help you communicate with Ethiopians, explore their rich culture and history, and access their literature and media.
Amharic Keyboard Download For Mac
Typing Amharic on Mac can be a great way to practice your skills, write documents, send emails, chat with friends, and more. However, typing Amharic on Mac can also be challenging, as it requires a different keyboard layout, a different writing system, and a different input method than English. Fortunately, there are many solutions available that can help you type Amharic on Mac easily and efficiently.
In this article, we will show you how to set up your Mac to write in Amharic, how to download and install Amharic keyboards for Mac, and how to type Amharic on Mac using online tools. By the end of this article, you will be able to type Amharic on Mac like a pro.
How to set up your Mac to write in Amharic
The first step to type Amharic on Mac is to set up your Mac to write in Amharic. This means that you need to add the language you want to use to the Input menu in System Preferences. Then you can switch to that language when you want to use it. You can also use some shortcuts and features to make typing easier. Here are the steps:
How to add Amharic input sources in System Preferences
To add Amharic input sources in System Preferences, follow these steps:
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
Click Input Sources.
Click the Add button (+), then search for Amharic.
Select one or more input sources for Amharic. You can choose from different keyboard layouts, such as GeezIME or Keyman.
Click Add.
After you add an input source, the option to show the Input menu in the menu bar is automatically selected. The Input menu lets you quickly switch input sources as needed.
How to switch between languages when writing
To switch between languages when writing, you can use one of these methods:
Use the Input menu: Click the Input menu in the menu bar, then choose an input source. If an input source is dimmed, the current app doesnt support it.
Use keyboard shortcuts: You can press Control-Space bar to select the previous input source, or Control-Option-Space bar to select the next input source in the Input menu. You can also set your own keyboard shortcuts in Keyboard preferences.
Use the Caps Lock key: If you set an option in Keyboard preferences to change input sources by using the Caps Lock key or a dedicated language switching key (for example, 中 / 英 on Chinese Pinyin and Chinese Zhuyin keyboards), press the key to switch between a non-Latin input source (such as Amharic) and a Latin input source (such as English).
Use the Fn key or <img src="https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/keyboards/macos-keyboard-globe.png" alt="G How to use the keyboard viewer and the accent menu
Another way to type Amharic on Mac is to use the keyboard viewer and the accent menu. These are features that let you see the layout of your keyboard and the characters available for each key. You can also use them to enter special characters, such as accents, symbols, and emoji. Here are the steps:
To show the keyboard viewer, click the Input menu in the menu bar, then choose Show Keyboard Viewer. The keyboard layout changes when you switch input sources.
To use the keyboard viewer, click the keys on the onscreen keyboard. You can also press and hold a key to see its variations, such as uppercase, lowercase, and accented characters.
To show the accent menu, press and hold a key on your physical keyboard that can have accents or other diacritical marks, such as e or a. A menu appears with different options.
To use the accent menu, click an option in the menu or press the corresponding number key. You can also use the arrow keys to navigate the menu and press Return to select an option.
You can adjust the settings for the keyboard viewer and the accent menu in Keyboard preferences.
How to download and install Amharic keyboards for Mac
If you want to have more options and features for typing Amharic on Mac, you can download and install Amharic keyboards for Mac. These are software applications that provide custom keyboard layouts, fonts, dictionaries, and other tools for writing Amharic. Some of them are free, while others require a fee or a subscription. Here are some of the most popular Amharic keyboards for Mac:
Keyman for Amharic
Keyman is a software that allows you to type in over 1000 languages on your Mac. It supports Amharic and other Ethiopian languages, such as Tigrinya and Ge'ez. It also offers a variety of keyboard layouts, such as GFF Amharic Keyboard, SIL Ethiopic Keyboard, and GeezEdit Keyboard. You can customize your keyboard settings, change fonts and colors, and access online resources. Keyman is free for personal use, but you need to purchase a license for commercial use.
To download and install Keyman for Amharic, follow these steps:
Go to https://keyman.com/amharic/ and click Download Now.
Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install Keyman on your Mac.
Launch Keyman from your Applications folder or from the Launchpad.
Click Keyman in the menu bar, then choose Configure.
Click Download Keyboard from keyman.com.
Select one or more Amharic keyboards from the list and click Install Keyboard.
Click Done.
Kal Keyboard for Amharic
Kal Keyboard is a software that enables you to type in Amharic and other languages using phonetic transliteration. This means that you can type using Latin letters and Kal Keyboard will convert them into Amharic characters. For example, if you type "selam", Kal Keyboard will write "ሰላም". Kal Keyboard also provides word suggestions, auto-correction, emoji, and stickers. Kal Keyboard is free to download and use.
To download and install Kal Keyboard for Amharic, follow these steps:
Go to https://kal.app/ and click Download for Mac.
Open the downloaded file and drag Kal Keyboard to your Applications folder.
Launch Kal Keyboard from your Applications folder or from the Launchpad.
Click Kal Keyboard in the menu bar, then choose Preferences.
Select Amharic from the Language dropdown menu.
Click OK.
Other options
Besides Keyman and Kal Keyboard, there are other options for downloading and installing Amharic keyboards for Mac. Some of them are:
GeezIME: A software that provides Geez-based input methods for Amharic and other Ethiopian languages. It supports multiple keyboard layouts, fonts, themes, and modes. You can download it from https://geezlab.com/geezime/ .
GeezEdit: A software that allows you to edit text in Amharic and other Ethiopian languages. It supports various keyboard layouts, fonts, styles, and formats. You can download it from https://geezedit.com/ .
Amharic Keyboard for Mac: A software that provides a simple and easy way to type in Amharic on Mac. It supports the standard Amharic keyboard layout and the phonetic keyboard layout. You can download it from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amharic-keyboard-for-mac/id1449102210?mt=12 .
You can choose the option that suits your needs and preferences best. You can also try different options and compare them to see which one works better for you.
How to type Amharic on Mac using online tools
If you don't want to download and install any software on your Mac, you can also type Amharic on Mac using online tools. These are websites or web apps that let you type Amharic on your browser without any installation or registration. You can also copy and paste the text you type to other applications or save it as a file. Here are some of the most popular online tools for typing Amharic on Mac:
Amharic Keyboard Online
Amharic Keyboard Online is a website that allows you to type Amharic on your browser using your mouse or your keyboard. It supports both the standard Amharic keyboard layout and the phonetic keyboard layout. You can also switch between different fonts, adjust the font size, and change the background color. You can copy and paste the text you type to other applications or save it as a PDF or a TXT file.
To use Amharic Keyboard Online, follow these steps:
Go to https://www.amharickeyboardonline.com/ .
Select the keyboard layout you want to use from the top right corner.
Type Amharic using your mouse or your keyboard. You can also press and hold a key to see its variations.
Copy and paste the text you type to other applications or save it as a file using the buttons below.
Type Amharic Online
Type Amharic Online is a web app that enables you to type Amharic on your browser using phonetic transliteration. This means that you can type using Latin letters and Type Amharic Online will convert them into Amharic characters. For example, if you type "selam", Type Amharic Online will write "ሰላም". Type Amharic Online also provides word suggestions, auto-correction, emoji, and stickers. You can copy and paste the text you type to other applications or share it on social media.
To use Type Amharic Online, follow these steps:
Go to https://typeamhariconline.com/ .
Type Amharic using Latin letters on your keyboard. You can also press and hold a key to see its variations.
Select a word suggestion or an emoji from the list above.
Copy and paste the text you type to other applications or share it on social media using the buttons below.
Other options
Besides Amharic Keyboard Online and Type Amharic Online, there are other options for typing Amharic on Mac using online tools. Some of them are:
GeezEdit Online: A web app that allows you to edit text in Amharic and other Ethiopian languages. It supports various keyboard layouts, fonts, styles, and formats. You can access it from https://geezedit.com/geezedit-online/ .
GeezLab: A website that provides various tools and resources for learning and writing Geez-based languages, such as Amharic, Tigrinya, and Ge'ez. It offers keyboards, fonts, converters, dictionaries, games, and more. You can visit it at https://geezlab.com/ .
EthioType: A website that helps you type in Ethiopic languages using phonetic transliteration. It supports multiple languages, such as Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromo, and Somali. It also offers fonts, converters, dictionaries, and more. You can find it at https://ethiotype.com/ .
You can try these online tools and see which one works best for you. You can also use them in combination with other methods and tools for typing Amharic on Mac Conclusion
Typing Amharic on Mac can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, as it allows you to express yourself in a beautiful and ancient language. However, it can also be challenging, as it requires a different keyboard layout, a different writing system, and a different input method than English. Luckily, there are many solutions available that can help you type Amharic on Mac easily and efficiently.
In this article, we have shown you how to set up your Mac to write in Amharic, how to download and install Amharic keyboards for Mac, and how to type Amharic on Mac using online tools. We have also provided some examples and links for each method and tool. You can choose the option that suits your needs and preferences best, or you can try different options and compare them to see which one works better for you.
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading and happy typing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about typing Amharic on Mac:
Q: What is the best Amharic keyboard for Mac?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different keyboards may have different features, layouts, fonts, and modes. The best Amharic keyboard for Mac depends on your personal preference, your level of proficiency, your purpose of writing, and your budget. However, some of the most popular and widely used Amharic keyboards for Mac are Keyman, Kal Keyboard, GeezIME, GeezEdit, and Amharic Keyboard for Mac. You can try them out and see which one works best for you.
Q: How do I type Amharic characters with accents or diacritical marks?
A: There are two main ways to type Amharic characters with accents or diacritical marks on Mac. One is to use the keyboard viewer or the accent menu, which let you see the variations of each key and select the one you want. The other is to use phonetic transliteration, which converts Latin letters into Amharic characters based on their sound. For example, if you type "a", it will write "አ", but if you type "aa", it will write "ዓ". You can use either method depending on the keyboard or tool you are using.
Q: How do I change the font or the color of the text I type in Amharic?
A: To change the font or the color of the text you type in Amharic on Mac, you need to use an application that supports formatting options, such as Pages, Word, TextEdit, or Mail. Then you can select the text you want to format and choose the font or the color from the toolbar or the menu. You can also use keyboard shortcuts or right-click commands to access formatting options. However, not all fonts or colors may be compatible with Amharic characters, so you need to check if they display correctly before saving or sending your document.
Q: How do I copy and paste text in Amharic from one application to another?
A: To copy and paste text in Amharic from one application to another on Mac, you need to use the same input source for both applications. For example, if you are typing in Amharic using Keyman in Pages, you need to switch to Keyman in Mail before pasting the text. Otherwise, the text may not appear correctly or may not appear at all. You can also use online tools that let you copy and paste text in Amharic without changing input sources.
Q: How do I learn more about Amharic language and culture?
A: If you are interested in learning more about Amharic language and culture, there are many resources available online and offline that can help you. Some of them are:
Amharic Language Courses: You can enroll in an online or offline course that teaches you how to speak, read, write, and understand Amharic. You can also use apps, podcasts, videos, books, and flashcards to supplement your learning.
Amharic Media: You can watch TV shows, movies, news, documentaries, music videos, and other content in Amharic to improve your listening and comprehension skills. You can also learn about the culture, history, politics, and society of Ethiopia and other Amharic-speaking regions.
Amharic Communities: You can join online or offline communities that connect you with other Amharic speakers and learners. You can exchange ideas, ask questions, share resources, and practice your skills. You can also participate in events, activities, and festivals that celebrate Amharic culture and heritage.
These are just some of the ways you can learn more about Amharic language and culture. You can also explore other options that suit your interests and goals. The more you learn, the more you will appreciate and enjoy this beautiful and ancient language. dcd2dc6462