ߒߞߏ Keyboard - iOS Custom Keyboard Extension

ߒߞߏ Keyboard - iOS Custom Keyboard Extension

Cross-Script Bridge: iOS Edition

Real-time Latin → N'Ko transliteration keyboard for iOS, enabling system-wide N'Ko typing on iPhone and iPad.

✨ Features

📸 Screenshots

┌────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ߛߟߊ߯ߡ (peace)  ߒߞߏ (N'Ko)  ߞߊ߲ (lang) │ │  ← Suggestions
│ └────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ ┌────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ q  w  e  r  t  y  u  i  o  p      │ │
│ │   a  s  d  f  g  h  j  k  l       │ │
│ │ ⇧   z  x  c  v  b  n  m   ⌫      │ │
│ │ 123  🌐  [    space    ]  .   ⏎   │ │
│ └────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└────────────────────────────────────────┘
        Latin Mode (Default)

┌────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ ߊ  ߓ  ߔ  ߕ  ߖ  ߗ  ߘ  ߙ  ߚ  ߛ    │ │
│ │   ߜ  ߝ  ߞ  ߟ  ߠ  ߡ  ߢ  ߣ  ߤ     │ │
│ │ ⇧   ߥ  ߦ  ߧ  ߨ  ߋ  ߌ  ߍ   ⌫     │ │
│ │ ABC  🌐  [   ߛߓߊ   ]  .   ⏎      │ │
│ └────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└────────────────────────────────────────┘
        N'Ko Direct Mode (⇧ Shift)

🚀 Installation

Development Build

1. Open in Xcode

   cd Desktop/cross-script-bridge/ios-keyboard
   open NKoKeyboard.xcodeproj  # Or create project manually

2. Configure Signing
- Select your Team in Signing & Capabilities
- Ensure unique Bundle IDs for both targets:
- Main app: `com.yourteam.nko-keyboard`
- Extension: `com.yourteam.nko-keyboard.keyboard`

3. Build & Run
- Select your iOS device
- Build (⌘B) and Run (⌘R)

4. Enable Keyboard
- Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards
- Add New Keyboard → ߒߞߏ Keyboard
- Tap 🌐 while typing to switch

TestFlight (Coming Soon)

Join the beta: [testflight.apple.com/join/xxxxx](about:blank)

⌨️ Usage Guide

Latin Transliteration Mode (Default)

Type Latin letters and watch them convert to N'Ko:

Digraphs (Multi-character sounds)

Direct N'Ko Mode

• Single tap ⇧: Switch to N'Ko direct input
• Double tap ⇧: Caps lock (stay in N'Ko mode)
• Tap ABC: Return to Latin mode

Number Mode

• Tap 123: Access N'Ko numerals (߀-߉)
• Full symbol support for punctuation

🏗️ Architecture

ios-keyboard/
├── Package.swift              # Swift Package config
├── Sources/
│   └── NKoCore/
│       └── NKoTransliterator.swift   # Core transliteration engine
├── NKoKeyboard/              # Host app
│   └── NKoKeyboardApp.swift  # SwiftUI main app with setup guide
└── NKoKeyboardExtension/     # Keyboard extension
    ├── KeyboardViewController.swift  # Custom input view controller
    └── Info.plist            # Extension configuration

Key Components

1. NKoTransliterator
- Stateful character-by-character processing
- Digraph buffering (ny, gb, ng, etc.)
- Word suggestion engine

2. KeyboardViewController
- Custom UIInputViewController
- Dynamic key layout generation
- Real-time suggestion bar
- Haptic feedback

3. Host App
- SwiftUI setup instructions
- Test input area
- Quick reference card

🎯 Techniques Applied

From TIE Framework:

• D10 (Mobile Packaging) — Native iOS keyboard extension
• D14 (Universal Access) — System-wide typing capability
• R03 (Simplify) — Latin input reduces learning curve
• R15 (Polish) — Native iOS look and feel
• G08 (Cultural Roots) — Authentic N'Ko typography

🌍 Cultural Impact

This keyboard brings N'Ko script to where people already are — their phones.

> Why it matters:
> - 10+ million Manding speakers across West Africa
> - Limited N'Ko typing options on mobile
> - Younger generation increasingly mobile-first
> - Script preservation through technology adoption

ߞߎ߲߬ߠߊ ߦߋ߫ ߛߊ߲ ߣߌ߲ ߞߊ߲ — "Knowledge is this sky" (N'Ko proverb)

🔮 Future Evolution Ideas

• [ ] Voice input → N'Ko output
• [ ] Learning mode with stroke order
• [ ] Tone mark quick-access
• [ ] iCloud sync for personal dictionary
• [ ] Handwriting recognition (Apple Pencil)
• [ ] iPadOS floating keyboard optimization
• [ ] watchOS complications

📄 License

MIT License — Part of the Cross-Script Bridge project

---

Generation 6 → 7 Evolution | Instance 18 | Priority 1

ߊ ߢߣߊ ߟߊ ߦߋ ߊ ߛߓߍ ߘߐ — What is sought is found in writing