Request: Add en dash (–) and em dash (—) to default vkb layouts

asked 2014-01-27 00:39:36 +0200

ssahla gravatar image

updated 2016-08-17 16:28:16 +0200

jiit gravatar image

The en dash (–, n dash, ndash) and em dash (—, m dash, mdash) are missing from Jolla’s virtual keyboard. Although these symbols are not used by all (mostly, the hyphen (-) is used instead), they have specific purposes and are part of proper typography. I’d like to see them added to Jolla’s default keyboard layouts.

A natural place for these symbols would be as accents (long-tap alternatives) of the hyphen (-) key. (This is how it's done on the iOS keyboard.)

Examples of where the en dash is used:

  • when expressing ranges (3–12)
  • as a minus sign (–3)
  • to set off parenthetical statements in a sentence – as in here.

(This is how the en dash is typically used in Finnish. There are different conventions in different languages and even within languages.)

Note: It is possible to add these symbols by creating a custom keyboard layout. However, this task is not trivial and requires developer mode. Also it is not possible to (easily) add accents to keys in the symbol view (where the hyphen by default is, in at least Finnish and English layouts), so the placement I propose above is not doable. For more info on customizing layouts, see this howto.

Edit, Feb 19: Question rewritten to be more clearly a feature request.

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Comments

1

And where do you find it on a PC keyboard? If I type the minus sign on my numpad, it writes "-".

Sthocs ( 2014-01-27 00:52:10 +0200 )edit
1

Complicated on PC keyboard: Alt + numeric 0150. On the Mac, Option + hyphen.

(Most people just use the hyphen and that's ok at least in informal communication. But it would be good to be able to use the proper one if I want to.)

ssahla ( 2014-01-27 01:00:24 +0200 )edit

I've never heard of en dash or needed it for that matter. İ have no idea how to access it on my full size keyboard either.

Tanghus ( 2014-01-27 03:02:35 +0200 )edit
1

I'm sure one can live a long and happy life without ever knowing what an en dash (let alone an em dash!) is. But for some people (professional writers, graphic designers) it's an important thing. Well, insofar as punctuation marks can be considered important. :)

ssahla ( 2014-01-27 05:56:46 +0200 )edit
2

...and you're professionally writing and/or graphic designing on your Jolla with no keyboard? Err....

CsTom ( 2014-01-27 10:05:15 +0200 )edit