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What is Ka-NAADA?

Ka-NAADA is a unique patented keyboard layout design for Indic languages used in keyboards for language education using computers aided teaching for India, Nepal. Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand. This facilitates teaching of Kannada, Samskrutam or any of the indic languages (with scripts based on Brahmi Lipi) features, without clutter and overload of English language feature of ‘spelling’.

Is Ka-NAADA a hardware?

Ka-NAADA is a USB hardware keyboard. This is primarily designed for laptops, desktop computers and android phones.

What is the meaning of KA-NAADA?

KA-NAADA is made up of two words, ‘KA’ the first consonant of all Indian Languages based on Brahmi phonetics. NAADA means sweet musical note. The fundamentals of Ka-Naada keyboard is based on phonetic arrangement and sound element associations of lipi. Kanaada is also the name of First sage -Scientist of India who postulated the ‘ Anu’- as the fundamental unit of matter. The name of the product is honoring this tradition.

What is Brahmi Lipi or Script?

‘Brahmi’ is recognized as the proto –language script of all Indian languages. Brahmi is the name given to Speech in Indian languages. Brahmi phonetics set and sequence (Varna- Akshara maalaa) provides the primary base and basics of all Indian Languages.
Brahmi is True script convention. Brahmi is an agglutinating scripting convention. Brahmi is written from left to right.
Brahmi is the one of the oldest writing systems used in South and Central Asia from the 1st millennium BCE. The best-known Brahmi script inscriptions are the rock-cut edicts of Ashoka in north-central India, dating to 250–232 BCE. The Brahmi script is mentioned in the ancient Indian texts of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, as well as their Chinese translations. The Lalitavistara Sūtra states that young Siddhartha, the future Buddha (~500 BCE), mastered philology, Brahmi and other scripts. A shorter list of eighteen ancient scripts is found in the texts of Jainism, such as the Pannavana Sutra (2nd century BCE) and the Samavayanga Sutra (3rd century BCE). Jain legend recounts that 18 writing scripts were taught by their first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha to his daughter Brahmi, she emphasized Brahmi as the main script as she taught others, and therefore the name Brahmi for the script comes after her name. There is also a one and only temple for Brahmi in Sahyadri forest called ‘Sri Brahmi Durgaparameshwari’ temple located in Kamalashile in Karnataka state. People claim its existence since Treta Yuga. Elsewhere in vedic literature it is also quoted that Lord Brahma creator of this universe taught his daughter Goddess Saraswati in this script. Goddess Saraswati was also called as Brahmi. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped for knowledge in music and education and is always portrayed holding a Veena, musical instrument and is worshipped in educational institutions.
The Brahmi script diversified into numerous local variants classified together as the Brahmic scripts. Dozens of modern scripts used across South Asia have descended from Brahmi, making it one of the world’s most influential writing traditions. One survey found 198 scripts that ultimately derive from it. The script was associated with its own Brahmi numerals, which ultimately provided the graphic forms for the Hindu–Arabic numeral system now used through most of the world.

Why do we need a new layout?

In the first introduction of language learning, it is important for pedagogic reasons to avoid the ‘phonemic noise interference’ across the source and target languages. One language phonetic should not mask over the phonetic and character set of another language. In this case, it means ‘introducing native languages like Gurumukhi, Telugu, Kannada ’through‘ their language appropriate phonetics without any interference from English. For example, the teaching of ‘a for ಅ’ is introducing phonemic interference of English over Kannada in its very first step of learning.
To avoid this, it is most desirable to have a keyboard, which trains the finger mapping on key-board in tune with the natural phonetic order of Kannada, Devanagari or other languages, accommodating all its scripting variations by glyphs and combination representation.

How long does it take to train on Ka-Naada layout?

Children learn it very quickly. For adults it takes couple of hours of training to overcome the bias of QWERTY keyboard.

Do I need to buy a keyboard for each language?

No you don’t have to ( We will be happy to sell you a new one). You can buy one keyboard for the language your choice and the top layout will be printed in the script for that language. You can use it to type any of the languages in the Brahmi family by installing the language layouts from download or cd. So you can have a Devanagari keyboard and using the language switch button switch to Kannada and type in Kannada by using the Hindi or Devanagari keyboard. That is the beauty about Ka-NAADA layout. There are one or two differences between the mapping of each. Some languages may not have an alphabet or a vowel. It will not type any letter when you press those keys using the layout of different language. Yes it is so easy to learn a new language using Ka-NAADA keyboard.

Do I have to disconnect my current keyboard?

No you do not have to disconnect your current keyboard. Just plug Ka-NAADA to available USB port.

Do I have to install any special software?

You have to install the Ka-NAADA language layout for the languages you wish to install. No other software or drivers are needed. Once you install, the specific language shows in the language bar along with EN (English).

How do I switch from English to my Language?

Press the World icon on the bottom right of the keyboard to iterate languages. You can also use the mouse and select the languages from the language like EN in the task bar or desktop. There are shortcuts also set by default in your operating system like, Win+Spacebar or LeftAlt+Shift other combinations. See under control panel and language and input method selection for the defaults settings.

How do I change language back to English on login screen?

Sometime you can be locked out from logging in when screen saver comes on or if you logout and forgot to change to English. Please use your mouse to choose En (English) language at the bottom right or top left of your login screen. You can also use the language switch button on Ka-Naada keyboard till you see EN on the screen or use the shortcuts set on your machine to switch between languages.

Can I change the speed of typing?

You can change the settings in your operating system for keyboard and mouse in control panel or settings menu.

Does Ka-NAADA work with other software installed?

Ka-NAADA works in most applications that are Unicode compatible.