Simplified Cangjie
Encyclopedia
Simplified Cangjie is an input method
in which the user enters only the first and last keystrokes used in the Cangjie
system, and then chooses the desired character from a list of candidate Chinese characters that pops up. This method is popular in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Simplified Cangjie is one of the few input methods which has an IME
pre-installed on Chinese-capable personal computers.
In Cantonese
-speaking Hong Kong
, average computer users tend to prefer Simplified Cangjie over the full Cangjie largely due to its ease of use, and also the lack of other input methods available that matches its popularity with it being pre-installed IME on most Windows
operating systems. Since Chinese phonology
is not taught in schools in Hong Kong and Cantonese is more tonal than Mandarin
(Putonghua), phonetic-based input methods designed for Mandarin speakers such as zhuyin are not widely used.
While having an easier learning curve and generally considered as a more error forgiving input method, in the long term Simplified Cangjie users have slower typing speed compare to full Cangjie, because the user chooses from a list of candidate of characters. On the other hand, using Simplified Cangjie also discourages the user from learning the full Cangjie. Many simplified Cangjie users do not understand how to code a character without the disambiguation lists.
Because of the selection from lists, use of simplified Cangjie can be compared to "hunt and peck" vs. ordinary touch typing
(whence the much greater speed obtainable by those who learn regular Cangjie).
Chinese input methods for computers
Hundreds of Chinese input methods are available for entry of Chinese characters into computers, but most keyboard-based methods rely on either pinyin phonetic readings or root shapes in Chinese characters...
in which the user enters only the first and last keystrokes used in the Cangjie
Cangjie method
The Cangjie input method is a system by which Chinese characters may be entered into a computer by means of a standard keyboard...
system, and then chooses the desired character from a list of candidate Chinese characters that pops up. This method is popular in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Simplified Cangjie is one of the few input methods which has an IME
Input method editor
An input method is an operating system component or program that allows any data, such as keyboard strokes or mouse movements, to be received as input. In this way users can enter characters and symbols not found on their input devices...
pre-installed on Chinese-capable personal computers.
In Cantonese
Standard Cantonese
Cantonese, or Standard Cantonese, is a language that originated in the vicinity of Canton in southern China, and is often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese....
-speaking Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, average computer users tend to prefer Simplified Cangjie over the full Cangjie largely due to its ease of use, and also the lack of other input methods available that matches its popularity with it being pre-installed IME on most Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
operating systems. Since Chinese phonology
Phonology
Phonology is, broadly speaking, the subdiscipline of linguistics concerned with the sounds of language. That is, it is the systematic use of sound to encode meaning in any spoken human language, or the field of linguistics studying this use...
is not taught in schools in Hong Kong and Cantonese is more tonal than Mandarin
Standard Mandarin
Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
(Putonghua), phonetic-based input methods designed for Mandarin speakers such as zhuyin are not widely used.
While having an easier learning curve and generally considered as a more error forgiving input method, in the long term Simplified Cangjie users have slower typing speed compare to full Cangjie, because the user chooses from a list of candidate of characters. On the other hand, using Simplified Cangjie also discourages the user from learning the full Cangjie. Many simplified Cangjie users do not understand how to code a character without the disambiguation lists.
Because of the selection from lists, use of simplified Cangjie can be compared to "hunt and peck" vs. ordinary touch typing
Typing
Typing is the process of inputting text into a device, such as a typewriter, cell phone, computer, or a calculator, by pressing keys on a keyboard. It can be distinguished from other means of input, such as the use of pointing devices like the computer mouse, and text input via speech...
(whence the much greater speed obtainable by those who learn regular Cangjie).