Tayo Ajakaye
27 April 2005
Lagos — For all those who hate the way their names are being mutilated as a result of the inadequacy of the currently available computer keyboards, a solution to such name mutilation is now in sight.
As from May, 2005, Konyin, the multilingual Computer keyboard would be on sale throughout the country. The keyboard contains not just the naira sign, but also all the alphabets of Nigerian languages.
Speaking in Lagos, officials of Lancor Technologies, including the Managing Director, Mr. George Van-Lare and the CTO, Engineer Olukayode Oluwole, who is also the inventor of the keyboard says eight years of intensive research had produced various versions of the product with the present 4th edition being the final. It accommodates all Nigerian languages and not just those of the three big ethnic groups.
The keyboard is capable of typing tonal marks and ascents, diacritical marks and characters, of more than 400 Nigerian languages.
Boston-based Oluwole who said he had to dispose of personal property so as to have the funds to construct research into the project said Lancor consulted extensively and got the cooperation of some higher institutions department of lingustics before arriving at the final product.
"We consulted extensively at home and abroad, especially with experts at the Nigerian Institute of Languages, Aba Nigerian universities and those involved with the Nigerian Typewriter project, notably Dr. Victor Manfredi, professor of linguistics at Boston University, whom we also consulted for Nigerian autography.
He said initially, the intention was to limit the design to only the three Nigerian languages but that the team had to go beyond that to cover every language group in the country when it was realised that it was feasible to do so.
Konyin, which means drop of honey in the Yoruba language, Oluwole insists, accommodates all alphabets in local Nigerian languages as well as four major currency symbols, including the naira sign. "We had to go in and account for every single language," he restated.
Oluwole particularly wondered why it is only Nigeria that accommodates all manners of keyboards. According to him, no computer manufacturer can take computers with English keyboard to China or Taiwan. No manufacturer would also produce Chinese language keyboards for the British market. Yet for Nigeria, all manner of keyboards are allowed. That, Konyin seek to correct.
"This keyboard does not change the way you type and it is also Nigerian-specific. It is a keyboard, not a virtual keyboard that is only uni-language specific. What we have is a country-specific keyboard," Oluwole said, adding: "there are virtual keyboards that try to emulate a physical keyboard but this is not a practical solution. For the first time in electronic history, we now have a Nigerian keyboard with which you can mix English with any Nigerian language in the same document."
A major differentiation of Konyin from virtual keyboards which already exists in the country, is that Konyin possesses 106 multi-functions against the 104 of the virtual keyboards. Konyin also comes with a driver. According to Lancor officials, the software that drives the computer is based on unicode application. The Company actually had to come with a driver that allows user have up to 660 characters.
"The virtual keyboards cannot be considered a truly multi-lingual input devices, notwithstanding the fact that you can input one language character-set at a time," stated Oluwole.
Explaining that the keyboard goes beyond being only a Nigerian keyboard, he said that after completing the Nigerian keyboard, Lancor was also able to easily accommodate other African languages on a similar keyboard layout. "We have a keyboard that can type any African (Niger - Congo) language including diacritic marks," re assured.
The version currently available is designed for the Windows environment. The Macintosh version is expected in October this year.
As far as Van-Lare and Oluwole were concerned, the invention is the first step in integrating the Nigerian character into the world system. Henceforth, people could just pick up the keyboard and software and 'Nigerianise' their computer.
Although the keyboard was produced in China, it was so just for the simple reason of ease of logistics. "If the logistics is here, we would be more than happy to do it," insisted Oluwole who noted that Lancor is a Nigerian company with a Nigerian vision.
The various editions of the keyboard spanning the first, second, third and the fourth, is actually a test of will. Feedback of the near-inadequacy of earlier versions had always made the company go back to the drawing board and come up with a better and more accommodating, all embracing Nigerian product rather than quit. "We are proud of the Nigerian culture and language," the officials said.
Lancor Technologies is a division of Lagos Analysis Corporation. It designs and develop technology based solutions that tailor hardware, software, and other technology products and services to support existing business processes rather than forcing generic technology products on our clients. Its technology solutions incorporate tools and services that enable businesses to integrate their operations efficiently, and reduce costs through process efficacy and improved employee productivity. Its process reengineering packages are based on modular solutions that are highly adaptable, using service-oriented hardware and software architecture designs.
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