Nuance Communications launches Sinhalese T9 text input

Nuance Communication, Inc., a leading supplier of speech, imaging solutions and text input solutions, announced the availability of version 7.4 of popular T9 text input software in Sinhalese.

A demo and early release of the new, enhanced version of T9 Text Input software for Sinhalese is available for licensing to consumer electronics, office automation, and landline and mobile communications devices' manufacturers in various fields, including government services, communications, banking, games, health care, and education. Nuance Communication T9 Text Input software aids in the swift writing of text messages in nearly 70 global languages.

This new version of T9 software in the mobile communications field will enable Sinhalese-speaking users to quickly send SMS text messages in their native language to family, friends and co-workers. By making T9 software available in Sinhalese, Nuance Communication is making it easier for speakers throughout the island and in other countries to communicate more effectively.

"With the successful launch of many languages for the Emerging Markets, we are pleased to now offer our new version in Sinhalese, since there is a clear need and growth potential for Sinhalese-language messaging and communications in many new fields, like kiosks for government services, local banking, and health services outreach," said Head of Emerging Markets, Nuance, Ray Tsuchiyama.

"Historically, T9 software helps native speakers to send SMS text messages quickly and easily in their own language, and Sinhalese T9 shall empower Sinhalese speakers in Sri Lanka and other countries to engage in business, family, and personal mobile messaging."

A language database including high frequency words makes it easier to type and send SMS text messages quickly. By automatically providing suggestions for completing longer words, the new T9 software helps simplify mobile messaging in Sinhalese.

Further, T9 Text Input software quickly learns which words a user prefers and prioritizes completion of the words the user types most often. The mobile user may not know the exact sequence of Sinhalese characters, but by pressing just one key, the T9 Text Input software user will be shown a horizontal word choice list of all the characters associated with that particular key.

This new feature can help the user learn and use T9 software more quickly and effectively, in part by assisting the user in memorizing the keypad layout, enabling a faster SMS experience.

The new stem-locking feature enables users to highlight the first few characters of a word and see only those words that begin with the specific set of characters. This new functionality helps the user identify their intended word more quickly by displaying a tailored word choice list.