Sinhalese Online Typing

Help: Type in the box given below using English keyboard. As soon as you'll press SPACE, the word will convert in Sinhala. For example, to write "සිංහල" you should type "Sinhala" and then press SPACE key. If you want to type something in English in the middle of Sinhala text, press CTRL+G to toggle between English and Sinhala languages.

Sinhalese Online Typing Tool

This tool allows you to type in Sinhala using a standard QWERTY keyboard layout and converts the text into Sinhala Unicode.

The Sinhala Script

The Sinhalese script, also known as Sinhala script, is used to write the Sinhala language, which is spoken primarily in Sri Lanka. It is an abugida script, meaning each character represents a consonant with an inherent vowel sound (usually 'a'), and other vowel sounds and consonant modifications are indicated using diacritics. The script has its roots in the ancient Brahmi script and has undergone various developments over the centuries.

Key features of the Sinhalese script include:

  1. Consonant Symbols: The script consists of characters representing consonant sounds. Each consonant character typically has an inherent vowel sound, which can be modified or suppressed using diacritics.

  2. Vowel Symbols: In addition to consonant characters, there are separate characters for vowel sounds. These vowel characters are used to indicate standalone vowel sounds or to modify the inherent vowel sound of a consonant character.

  3. Diacritics: Diacritic marks are used extensively in the Sinhalese script to represent vowel sounds, vowel length, nasalization, and other phonetic features. These diacritics are placed above, below, or adjacent to consonant characters to modify their pronunciation.

  4. Complex Ligatures: The Sinhalese script includes complex ligatures, where multiple consonant characters are combined into a single character. These ligatures are often used in Sanskrit loanwords and in certain stylistic contexts.

  5. Writing Direction: The Sinhalese script is written from left to right, and it does not traditionally use spaces between words. Instead, a small dot called "punctuation marks" is used to indicate word boundaries.

The Sinhalese script is a significant cultural and historical artifact of Sri Lanka and plays a central role in the preservation and dissemination of Sinhala literature, religious texts, and cultural heritage. It has been adapted for use in digital media, printing, and signage, ensuring its continued relevance in the modern era.