This layout is specifically designed for typing Ismaili Tamil (a dialect/script style used in the DCI (Digital Computer Interface) TML system) and differs significantly from standard Tamil keyboard layouts like Tamil 99 or InScript. Overview The DCI TML Ismail layout is a phonetic-based mapping for Tamil, meaning keys roughly correspond to the sound of the letter rather than its traditional order. It is optimized for the Ismaili Tamil script, which includes unique ligatures and diacritics. Common Use Cases:
Typing religious or community documents (Ismaili literature). Legacy DCI publishing software. Transliterating from Arabic/Persian-influenced Tamil vocabulary.
Keyboard Layout Chart
Note: This guide assumes a standard US QWERTY physical keyboard. Keys not listed retain their default English function. dci tml ismail tamil font keyboard layout
1. Vowels (Uyir Ezhuthukal) | Tamil Vowel | Key to Press | Tamil Vowel | Key to Press | |-------------|--------------|-------------|--------------| | அ | a | ஆ | A (Shift+a) | | இ | i | ஈ | I (Shift+i) | | உ | u | ஊ | U (Shift+u) | | எ | e | ஏ | E (Shift+e) | | ஐ | ai | ஒ | o | | ஓ | O (Shift+o) | ஔ | au | 2. Consonants (Mei Ezhuthukal – with inherent 'a' sound) | Tamil | Key | Tamil | Key | Tamil | Key | |-------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----| | க் (க்) | k | ங் | ng | ச் | c or s | | ஞ் | nj | ட் | t (retroflex) | ண் | N | | த் | th | ந் | n | ப் | p | | ம் | m | ய் | y | ர் | r | | ல் | l | வ் | v | ழ் | zh | | ள் | L | ற் | R | ன் | n2 |
Important: To type the pure consonant (without the 'a' vowel), use the special pulli (see below).
3. Grantha / Special Ismaili Letters Ismaili Tamil includes letters for Arabic/Persian sounds: | Tamil | Sound | Key Sequence | |-------|-------|---------------| | ஜ | ja | j | | ஷ | sha | sh | | ஸ | sa | S (Shift+s) | | ஹ | ha | h | | க்ஷ | ksha | ksh | 4. Vowel Sign Modifiers (Uyir Mei) After typing a consonant, use these keys to change the vowel sign: | Vowel Sign | Key | Example (க + key) | |------------|-----|-------------------| | ் (pulli – no vowel) | d or \ | க் = kd | | ா (aa) | A | கா = kA | | ி (i) | i | கி = ki | | ீ (ii) | I | கீ = kI | | ு (u) | u | கு = ku | | ூ (uu) | U | கூ = kU | | ெ (e) | e | கெ = ke | | ே (ee) | E | கே = kE | | ை (ai) | ai | கை = kai | | ொ (o) | o | கொ = ko | | ோ (oo) | O | கோ = kO | | ௌ (au) | au | கௌ = kau | 5. Special Characters & Numbers | Symbol | Key | Symbol | Key | |--------|-----|--------|-----| | ௐ (Om) | om | ௳ (Day) | day | | ₹ (Rupee) | R (with AltGr) | ௴ (Month) | month | | ௵ (Year) | year | ௶ (Debit) | debit | Numbers: Top row keys 1 to 0 output standard Tamil numerals (௧,௨,௩…௦). This layout is specifically designed for typing Ismaili
Typing Rules & Tips
Pulli (்) is critical – In Ismaili Tamil, you must explicitly type d after a consonant to remove the default 'a' sound. Example:
k → க (ka) kd → க் (k)
Order of typing – Always type consonant first , then the vowel sign key. Example for "கே" (kē):
Press k → க Press E → கே