2021 — Power Geez Unicode 2
For anyone who learned to type in English first, Power GeEZ is a lifesaver. Its phonetic typing system is intuitive. You want to type "Addis"? You type A-D-D-I-S. The software smartly converts the Latin inputs into the correct Amharic characters in real-time.
The 2021 version improves the prediction algorithms. It feels snappier. There is less lag when switching between English and Amharic modes (usually mapped to the Scroll Lock or a custom shortcut), which is a godsend for bilingual writers who live in both worlds.
| Feature | Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) | Abyssinica SIL (Free) | Keyman (with Ethiopic) | |--------|-----------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------| | Phonetic layout | Excellent (customizable) | Good (basic) | Very good | | Spell-check | Yes (Amharic/Tigrinya) | No | No (third-party plugin) | | System-wide shortcut | Yes (Win + G) | No | Yes (via Keyman engine) | | On-screen keyboard | Yes | No | Yes | | Price (2021) | ~$49 one-time | Free | Free (but layouts limited) | | Unicode support | 13.0 | 14.0 | 15.0 | | Learning curve | Low | Medium | High (requires configuration) |
Verdict: Power Geez is best for professionals (translators, publishers, government offices) who need high-speed typing and integrated spell-check. Abyssinica SIL is ideal for casual users. Keyman is for developers or polyglots.
Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall “Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021)”.
Remove leftover fonts manually from C:\Windows\Fonts if needed.
Final tip: Print a small sticker of the vowel modifier table and stick it near your monitor for the first week – you’ll memorize it quickly. Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) is one of the most efficient tools for Ethiopic typing once you learn the logic. power geez unicode 2 2021
Need practice? Type
salam:alemesh→
ሰላም: አለሜሽ (Hello, world!)
Power Geez Unicode 2: Bridging Tradition and Technology in Ethiopia
Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) represents a critical evolution in Ethiopic digital typesetting, providing a modernized framework for users to write in languages such as Amharic, Tigrinya, and Ge’ez. As digital communication becomes the standard in Ethiopia, this software acts as a bridge between the ancient Ge'ez script—an abugida where each character represents a consonant-vowel pair—and the modern QWERTY keyboard. The Shift to Unicode Standards
The most significant aspect of the 2021 version is its commitment to the Unicode standard. Historically, Ethiopic software relied on "non-Unicode" or legacy fonts (like Ge'ez-1 or Ge'ez-2), which often resulted in garbled text when shared across different devices or platforms.
Universal Compatibility: By using Power Geez Unicode fonts 1-3, users ensure that their documents are readable on any modern system, including web browsers and mobile devices, without requiring the recipient to have specific legacy fonts installed. For anyone who learned to type in English
Data Integrity: Unicode prevents the "empty cell" or "character corruption" issues often seen in older versions when used with modern applications like Microsoft Excel or Word 2019. Key Features and Functionality
Power Geez Unicode 2 is designed for both speed and ease of use, catering to varying levels of technical proficiency.
Phonetic Transliteration: The software allows "mnemonic" typing, where users type the English sound of a character (e.g., typing "selam" to get "ሰላም"). Dual Mode System: It maintains two distinct modes:
Normal Phonetic Mode: Uses traditional fonts for local printing.
Phonetic Unicode Mode: Essential for email, social media, and modern web-based work. Final tip : Print a small sticker of
Legacy Support: For those accustomed to older tools like Agafari or Alpas, the 2021 environment can emulate these layouts, reducing the learning curve for long-time typists. Challenges in a Native-Support Era
Most users use Phonetic (default). Type English letters to get Geez:
| Type | Get | Note | |------|-----|--------------------------| | h | ሀ | plain h | | l | ለ | | | m | መ | | | s | ሰ | | | r | �ረ | | | sh | ሽ | use two letters | | t | ተ | | | ch | ቸ | | | n | ነ | | | ny | ኘ | | | k | ከ | | | kh | ኸ | | | w | ወ | | | z | ዘ | | | zh | ዠ | rare | | y | የ | | | d | ደ | | | j | ጀ | | | g | ገ | | | th | ጠ | emphatic t | | ts | ጸ | | | ph | ጰ | | | v | ቨ | (for foreign words) | | 'a | አ | glottal (use apostrophe) |
| Shortcut | Action |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Right Alt (Alt Gr) | Switch to English temporarily |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Toggle phonetic/typewriter layout |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Show on-screen keyboard |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Insert Geez book title marks (ፀሐፈ) |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo (works normally) |
| Ctrl + Shift + [1-7] | Switch between 7 different layouts |
After install, you’ll see “Power Geez Unicode” in your language bar (bottom right).