keyboard Tools
Fongbe keyboard: typing special characters
Written fɔ̀ngbè uses special letters that are missing from a standard keyboard. Here’s how to type them on a computer and a phone.
The special characters of Fon
The fɔ̀ngbè alphabet uses the standard Latin alphabet plus 3 special letters and tone diacritics (accents):
Why does it matter?
Without the right diacritics, a Fon word can change meaning. atɔ̀n (3) ≠ atɔ́ɔ́n (5). Tones also distinguish verbs from nouns.
On a computer: 3 solutions
Online character table
The quickest solution with nothing to install: keep a page handy containing ɖ ɖ̀ ɛ ɛ́ ɔ ɔ̀ and the tones á à ǎ â, then copy and paste the character you need into your document.
“African languages” keyboard on Windows/Mac
Windows and Mac let you add an “African languages” keyboard in the language settings. On Windows: Settings Time & language Language Add a language search for “Fon”.
Unicode shortcuts
On any system, you can insert the characters using their Unicode code. For example: Ɖ = U+0189, ɖ = U+0256, Ɛ = U+0190, ɛ = U+025B, Ɔ = U+0186, ɔ = U+0254.
On a phone: the Gboard keyboard
On Android and iPhone, the Gboard keyboard (Google) is the simplest solution:
Step 1: Install Gboard
Download Gboard from the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS) if you haven’t already.
Step 2: Add Fon
Gboard Settings Languages Add keyboard search for “Fon” or “Fɔngbe”. Turn it on.
Step 3: Switch
While typing, long-press the space bar to switch languages. The characters ɖ, ɛ, ɔ will be right on the keyboard. For tones, long-press a vowel to see the accented variants.
Alternative: Keyman
The Keyman app (free) also supports fɔ̀ngbè and offers keyboards specially designed for African languages, with all the diacritics.
Tools help you out. A method gets you talking.
Dictionaries, keyboards, translators: useful, but they don’t teach you to speak. 79 video lessons with a native speaker, in order, with tones taken seriously — that’s what the Academy does.
One free trial lesson when you sign up.
- The Fon video course: see the program — 79 lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, taught in French
- What is your Fon level? — the free 15-question test