An Arabic keyboard is a type of layout designed specifically for typing Arabic characters and diacritical marks. It resembles the standard QWERTY keyboard, with additional keys added to accommodate unique characters and diacritical marks. Arabic script is written using capital letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. Arabic keyboards typically follow a standard typewriter layout that includes keys for Arabic letters, numbers, and common punctuation marks. Some models also provide additional keys. Arabic language students often need to learn special characters and symbols that are commonly used. Here is a list of some commonly used Arabic characters and symbols:
In addition to the standard Arabic keyboard layout, there are variations tailored for specific dialects or regions. For instance, typing Arabic in Egypt, Lebanon, and other countries requires additional characters or symbols that correspond with that dialect or region.
Another distinctive aspect of Arabic keyboarding is that letters are written from right to left, a change from traditional writing styles. This necessitates a distinct layout of keys and different algorithms for typing. In addition to physical keyboards, virtual Arabic keyboards can also be used on computers, smartphones, and other devices.
Virtual keyboards typically offer a graphical representation of the keyboard layout and enable users to type in Arabic using either their mouse or touchscreen. Overall, an Arabic keyboard is an invaluable tool for typing and communicating in Arabic, whether physical or virtual.
If you want to type in Arabic on your keyboard, there are a few different ways to do so, depending on the type of device you're using.
1. On a Windows PC:It is essential to be aware that typing Arabic requires a unique keyboard layout from what you may be used to, as well as different algorithms for typing. Therefore, it may take some time to become proficient with this new set up and get acquainted with its unique keys.
In the Arabic language, the equivalent of the English alphabet "A to Z" is الأبجدية العربية (al-abjadiyyah al-arabiyyah) which translates to "the Arabic alphabet."
The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, and is written from right to left. The letters are divided into three groups:
Here is the list of the Arabic letters from A to Z:
الأ ا ب ت ث ج ح خ د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ع غ ف ق ك ل م ن ه و يIt is essential to remember that the Arabic alphabet does not distinguish between upper and lowercase letters; thus, all letters appear in the same case.
Installing an Arabic keyboard on an Android device is a simple process:
You can install third-party keyboard apps from the Google Play Store that support Arabic language keyboards, such as SwiftKey, GO Keyboard and Fleksy (to name a few).
Once installed, you can switch between languages by long pressing the space bar or clicking on the keyboard icon in your notification bar.
It's essential to remember that in order to write Arabic, you may need to enable the option for "right to left writing" or "bidirectional" in your keyboard settings. This enables you to write from right to left as Arabic script is written.
To insert Arabic text in Microsoft Word, you can follow these steps:
Once Arabic has been set as your default language, you can begin typing with it. If your keyboard isn't set to Arabic layout, use either Microsoft Office Language Bar to switch between languages or adjust the keyboard language in Windows settings.
Microsoft Office Language Bar allows you to quickly switch between languages. Alternatively, you can alter the keyboard language in your computer's settings.
You can also select "Symbol" from the "Insert" menu, then choose "More Symbols," choosing the Arabic font as desired, to insert any Arabic characters and symbols necessary.
It is essential to note that in order to properly display Arabic script on your computer, you must have an appropriate font installed.
To type Arabic text on WhatsApp, make sure your device's keyboard is set to the Arabic layout. Here's how:
You can also change the language of the keyboard permanently in your device settings:
Once the Arabic language has been set as your default keyboard, it will automatically switch to that language when you open WhatsApp.
It is essential to note that in order to correctly display Arabic text on your device, you must have an appropriate font installed that supports this script.
Typing Arabic necessitates a specific keyboard layout and different algorithms. To type effectively, make sure your device's keyboard is set up with an Arabic layout - this can be achieved either through changing its language settings on your device or by using a virtual keyboard. Microsoft Office Language Bar also works well here for switching between languages; alternatively, you may change the language of the keyboard within computer settings. It's essential that you have an adequate mouse for accurate typing in Arabic. Your device must have a font installed which supports Arabic script in order to display text correctly.