Lessons · Punjabi · lesson 4 of 4

Punjabi InScript: Shift letters, addak and vowels

Every key you have learnt types a second letter with Shift. The pairs follow the order of the Gurmukhi alphabet, so they are easy to remember.

Shift on the left hand: full vowels

Each vowel sign key gives the full vowel with Shift, used when the vowel begins a word or stands alone.

Notice that you do not build ਆ from ਅ and a kanna, or ਇ from ੲ and a sihari, as you do when writing by hand. Each full vowel has its own key. These are left hand keys, so hold the right Shift.

Shift on the right hand: aspirated consonants

For right hand keys hold the left Shift. The key C is on the left, so ਣ takes the right Shift. The letter ੜ, very common in Punjabi, shares a key with ਰ.

The addak

The addak ੱ doubles the sound of the next consonant, as in ਪੱਕਾ, ਸੱਚ and ਇੱਕ. It is Shift and 4, and it is typed after the letter it sits on, before the doubled consonant. For ਪੱਕਾ type ਪ, ੱ, ਕ, ਾ. For ਇੱਕ type ਇ, ੱ, ਕ.

Letters at the foot

Three letters are written small at the foot of another letter. Each can be typed with the halant, and each also has a ready-made key on the number row with Shift.

So ਪੜ੍ਹ is ਪ, ੜ, then Shift and the key left of 1. Without Shift the number keys type the ordinary digits.

Drill

Keep Shift under control

Use the opposite hand for Shift and count "down, tap, up". Punjabi needs Shift often, for every aspirated consonant, for ੜ and ਣ and for the addak, so the little fingers work hard. If ਖ comes out as ਕ, you let go of Shift too early.

You have finished the Punjabi lessons

You now know the InScript keys used in ordinary Punjabi. Take the Punjabi typing test, read the list of words you got wrong, and go back to the lesson that covers those keys. A few characters, such as the Gurmukhi digits, are on a third level reached with the right Alt key. Ordinary writing uses the usual digits, so you can leave that level until you need it.

This is an independent practice site. It is not connected with any examination body, keyboard maker or software company. A typing speed measured here is for your own practice. It is not a certificate, and an examination may measure speed in its own way.