On the context of popular input methods and analysis of phonetic schemes for Bangla users

Abstract

This paper analyzes the recently popular Bangla input mechanisms as such phonetic input schemes with traditionally popular touch type layouts. Traditionally, phonetic input schemes are regarded as inefficient. On the ground of popularity of phonetic schemes, this paper tries to find the answer why such kind of supposedly inefficient approach can gain rapid popularity. Is it only due to the learning requirement of another layout or there are real benefits using these? In this regard, the phonological correlation between English and Bangla is established showing that phonetic schemes are not as inefficient as it was supposed to be. Subsequently, the popular phonetic and touch type layouts are analyzed based on Bangla corpus analysis of four million words. The mean number of keystrokes for inputting a single Bangla character is calculated for comparison of different layouts. The analysis establishes that on the basis of keystroke minimization there exists phonetic layouts which are even better than traditional touch type input methods.