SKK Features

Kana input method variations

Basically, SKK assumes QWERTY keyboards and converts Japanese Roman to Japanese Kana, but is flexible enough to take advantage of other Kana input rules.

• TUT-code
• T-Code
• Old JIS layout (106 keyboard) Kana input
• NICOLA (NIhongo nyuryoku COnsortium LAyout) Kana input, widely known as the thumb shift method

Absence of syntax analysis

Basically, SKK converts words one by one (single-word conversion), without analysing syntax or grammer. Instead, users specify the border between Kanjis and Kanas. This means you can write dialects, written or spoken words, ancient words as well as standard words in the same manner.

More comfortable Kanji input as private dictionary grows

SKK first searches a candidate in the private dictionary. It is updated every time you select a word. This means those words you often use will appear earlier.

User-friendly way of word learning

Good interface for learning new words. It is called automatically when you skip the last candidate. You don't have to specify parts of speech for new words.

Help for novice users

Type C-u M-x skk-tutorial and select `English'. You can easily get familiar with SKK.

Independence upon external programs

SKK is all written in Emacs Lisp. Unlike Wnn or Canna, you can use SKK even without a server (it is optional).

Kanji incremental search

Good interface for incremental search in Japanese. You can input Japanese words just like ASCII words even in isearch.

Utilizing Emacs Lisp

SKK converts some keywords not only to Japanese Kanji, but to almost anything you like, including:

• current date
• current time
• numbers with units

Useful optional programs

• context-skk analyses source codes and helps programmers input Kanjis there.
• skk-comp and skk-dcomp do dabbrev-like completions.
• skk-look is for conversion using UNIX look command.
• skk-lookup is for conversion using Lookup, an interface for electronic dictionaries.

Compatibility with Emacs

SKK is a minor mode. It is designed not to do any harm to major modes.