This guide is helpful if you want to buy a physical keyboard or a laptop. See how to choose the keyboard based on language to make it easier for you to type on the computer. Choose a QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY layout, or a layout with keys that have special characters and diacritics used in the language you most frequently write in.
The keyboard represents a hardware component (or software, in the case of touch screens) present on all computers and mobile phones, regardless of the operating system used. An essential aspect of the keyboard is the language. The key configuration and specific characters for each language are factors that are important to consider. Therefore, it is recommended to buy the keyboard based on the language you most frequently use when typing on the computer (keyboard layout).
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How to Choose a Keyboard Based on Language? Keyboard Layout
What does keyboard layout mean?
When you want to buy a laptop or a keyboard, specifications often mention information about the "layout." Typically, this specification refers to the physical arrangement of keys, diacritics, symbols inscribed on them, as well as special characters and accents specific to the language for which it was designed.
In the case of those in Romania, most stores offer keyboards and laptops with QWERTY layout in the International US format or with a Romanian language keyboard. These Romanian language keyboards include diacritics such as "Î," "Ș," "Ă," "Â," "Ț," positioned according to the standards adopted for the Romanian language.
In France and Belgium, AZERTY keyboards are available, characterized by the different positioning of physical keys, key combinations for special characters, symbols, names, and accents specific to the French alphabet.
Therefore, based on their appearance, keyboards can be divided into two main categories:
- Keyboard layout – referring to general standards such as QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ.
- Language Keyboard Layout - QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ, with a layout specific to each language.
Keyboard layout based on QWERTY, AZERTY, or QWERTZ key arrangement standards.
Depending on the geographical position and country, keyboards have various features. Globally, the model based on the US and United Kingdom international standard is adopted. This is the QWERTY system present on both the physical keyboards of Windows and Mac, as well as on the virtual keyboards of smart mobile phones.
QWERTY
QWERTY is the most widespread keyboard layout, but it undergoes minor modifications from one country to another to accommodate the diacritics and special characters of the respective language. The QWERTY system is designed for the Latin alphabet and is found in countries and regions such as the USA, the UK, Latin America, Europe, and a significant part of Asia, where the Latin alphabet alternates with the local one.
Although we are discussing a QWERTY keyboard, the key arrangement will look slightly different for a user in Romania, who requires the diacritics specific to the Romanian language alphabet. The International US layout in the image above will incorporate the diacritics "Î," "Ș," "Ă," "Â," "Ț," and some special characters will be moved to other areas of the keyboard or accessed through the combination of two keys.
Just like the keyboard with a layout for the Romanian language, there are keyboards with accents and diacritics for other languages.
QWERTZ
The QWERTZ key arrangement is widely used in Central European countries, with specific modifications for each country's language, similar to QWERTY. QWERTZ keyboards can be found that include accents, diacritics, and special characters from the German, Czech, Slovak, or Polish languages.
As the name suggests, the notable difference between the QWERTY and QWERTZ layouts lies in the swapping of the physical keys "Y" and "Z." However, the positions of punctuation marks, special characters, and symbols are also modified.
AZERTY
Derived from the American QWERTY system, the AZERTY key arrangement format emerged in France in the last decade of the XNUMXth century. It is characterized by swapping the keys "A" with "Q" and "Z" with "W." The letter "M" is also moved from the bottom row next to the "L" key.
Another feature of the AZERTY keyboard is the reliance on the SHIFT key to input numbers from 0 to 9. The position of special characters, punctuation marks, and symbols is also altered.
AZERTY keyboards are used in France and Belgium. Other French-speaking countries have remained adherents of the QWERTY format adapted for the French language.
Choosing the keyboard based on language
As mentioned earlier, each general layout – QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ – has its own specific variant for each language to allow for the use of diacritics and accents specific to that language. The International US and UK layouts are the only ones accepted internationally and do not include diacritics.
A user in Romania can type digitally very well on an International US QWERTY keyboard since the Romanian language is easily readable in digital format even without diacritics. Although, according to the rules of the Romanian language, diacritics should be used, they were only introduced on keyboards in Romania in the late '90s. Additionally, Romanian words can be read quite well even without diacritics. Of course, there are words that may take on a different meaning without diacritics, but in context, the reader should not be misled.
In most digital texts written in Romanian, both opening and closing quotation marks can be encountered as either "up quotes" or "down quotes," although it would be correct to have "down quotes" for opening and "up quotes" for closing according to the rules. The American model is preferred, also due to the close proximity of the "up quotes" to the SHIFT key on the international layout.
If we want or need to use quotation marks in digital writing, the best idea is to have a dedicated QWERTY keyboard for the Romanian language, which includes physical keys inscribed with diacritics: "Î," "Ș," "Ă," "Â," "Ț." However, it's important to be aware that the position of some symbols will change.
Additionally, we need to pay attention to an important aspect. The physical key arrangement for the Romanian language may differ between Windows and Mac operating systems, even if both use the QWERTY format. For example, on a physical keyboard for Windows, the "Ș" key may be found on the same line as the "L" key. However, on a MacBook or an Apple keyboard for iMac, the "Ș" key will be placed below the "ESC" key, and the "Î" and "Ț" keys will be located near the SHIFT and RETURN (Enter) keys, respectively.
It can be observed that not only the general categories of layouts determine differences in the positioning of letters on keys, but language-specific layouts can also bring significant changes to the keyboard. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the keyboard based on language, both for PCs and laptops.
How do you choose the keyboard with the right layout for your computer or laptop?
Most laptop manufacturers deliver these devices with keyboards dedicated to the country in which they are sold. It is possible to find the same laptop model, with the same hardware features, but with a different keyboard layout.
Certain companies, like Apple, provide buyers with the option to choose the keyboard layout type. For example, if we purchase a MacBook from iStyle, we can choose between INT KB (international QWERTY layout without diacritics) and RO KB (keyboard layout with diacritics).
If you need it for work or school, the format with diacritics or the one optimized for the language you frequently write in is the best choice. You can always enable or disable diacritics in the operating system by installing the desired language layout for the keyboard, regardless of what is physically inscribed on the keys.
For those accustomed to digital writing, what is inscribed on the keys doesn't matter too much. The notches on the "F" and "J" keys are sufficient to know where to start typing. Most of us don't look at the keyboard when we have something to write.
In the case of programmers, they will always appreciate the INT KB layout or the format dedicated to programming languages, where special characters are easily accessible.
In conclusion, choosing a suitable keyboard can significantly influence the experience, whether it's regular digital writing or more specialized activities like programming. The recommendation is to choose the keyboard based on the language you write in most frequently, especially if it involves diacritics, accents, or other characters not found in the international US layout.
The problem that should be done is an extensive reference Keyboard Layouts in our language.
When someone makes an installation Windows he is in front of a group keyboard layers. What are the differences and what should someone use; 318, 2200, polytonic etc;