From: "Cunningham, Keah M" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>

Subject: RE: #10108 Chinese chat software/site with persisting Pinyin input
Date: November 14, 2013 9:09:28 AM CST
To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>


Dear Andrew,

Have you seen looked through the Google Play offerings for Pinyin tools: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=pinyin&c=apps&hl=en?  The Google Pinyin Input for mobile devices (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.pinyin&hl=en) looks like it almost does what you are looking for; it stores up the Pinyin and Chinese characters generated before sending input.  However, once a message is sent it is converted to Chinese characters.  Not sure if you could recreate what you are looking for by taking screenshots of mobile devices before the texts are being sent or not.  The Google Pinyin Input Method (http://www.google.com/intl/zh-CN/ime/pinyin/) for desktops is fairly close too.

I think most chat applications will be the same way (i.e., converting the Pinyin to Chinese characters once they are sent).  Line (http://www.lianwo8.com/LINE.html) is a good free SMS program you could try; it’s pretty big in Asia since it was developed in Japan.  Google Chat within Gmail also allows you to use a virtual Chinese keyboard to chat if you want.  In Gmail go to settings > Chat > turn on Chat.  Then go to settings > General > Language > check the box next to Enable input tools > and click on Edit tools.  Here you can select which virtual keyboards you want enabled in Gmail.  Refresh the page and you should now see a little language icon next the settings icon.  Click on that to turn on your virtual keyboard.

Best,
Keah

--
Keah Cunningham
Assistant Director
Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center
University of Kansas
785-864-3512
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