If you’re looking to translate English to Armenian script, then transliteration is the perfect place to start. But before we dive in… what is transliteration anyway? Put simply, transliteration converts the alphabet of one language into another – in our case, English letters (the Latin alphabet) into Armenian letters, or vice versa, helping you bridge the gap between these two languages.
This guide covers key transliteration systems like Hübschmann-Meillet, ASCII methods, virtual keyboards, and online converters to make your work easier. And, if you scroll down, you’ll be able to use them and see them in action!
Why use transliteration in the first place?
Transliteration is primarily used to make communication easier. If for example, you can already speak either the Eastern or Western Armenian language, but don’t know how to read and write in Armenian, you may find yourself writing Armenian words in English letters. For example the word meaning ‘yes’ in Armenian, “Õ¡ÕµÕ¸”, is written “ayo” when using the latin alphabet.
This is common for the international Armenian community, and it occurs for many reasons. For one, it can be easier to type Armenian words in English if you don’t get a lot of practice writing in Armenian. Another reason might be that you don’t have access to Armenian keyboards on your computer and mobile devices. Or simply that you haven’t learned (or are not confident) using the Armenian script.
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As such, transliteration is often used on a virtual keyboard, to auto convert latin script (English) to Armenian, and to help people learn Armenian in the first place.
Popular Armenian Transliteration Systems
Transliterating Armenian involves transforming the Armenian script into the Latin alphabet, thereby making it accessible to those who aren’t familiar with Armenian characters. The Hübschmann-Millet and BGN/PCGN systems are particularly notable among the various methodologies developed for this purpose. Each has its own set of rules and conventions, aimed at addressing the complexities of Armenian phonetics and orthography.
While these systems strive for precision, ASCII-only methods offer a more convenient, albeit less accurate, alternative. These methods, which often deploy Latin digraphs and an ASCII single quote, lack standardization and can introduce ambiguities in the text. They are not recommended for formal use but can be handy for quick, informal communication.
And if this feels too technical, skip the next few paragraphs to see use an actual Armenian transliterator!
Hübschmann-Millet System
Pioneered in 1913 by Heinrich Hübschmann and Antoine Millet, the Hübschmann-Millet system is a pivotal aspect of Armenian linguistics. Widely used for Classical Armenian, this system employs a combining dot above diacritic to denote aspirates, ensuring accurate representation of phonetic nuances.
Its precision and reliability make this system a popular choice among scholars. Some documents might use the Greek rough breathing diacritic as an alternative to the combining dot above, adding a visual layer to the transliteration process.
ASCII-only Methods
While ASCII-only methods for Armenian transliteration are convenient, they come with their own set of challenges. They use Latin digraphs and ASCII characters to represent Armenian sounds, but lack standardization, leading to potential ambiguities. These methods are handy for users without access to an Armenian keyboard but fall short in their ability to produce correct armenian letters, especially in formal contexts.
Texts produced using ASCII-only methods often require manual corrections to avoid misunderstandings. As such, while they provide quick fixes, their use should be limited to informal settings where precision is not critical.
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Using an Online Armenian Converter
The advent of online Armenian converters, such as Armenian transliteration service, has significantly transformed the way we approach transliteration. These tools enable real-time conversion from English to Armenian script, simplifying the process significantly. With features like automatic conversion toggles and selective text conversion, they cater to both casual and professional needs.
Such converters not only facilitate instant text transformation but also enhance communication on Armenian-speaking forums by escaping text inside HTML or BB codes. Users can choose their preferred dialect and transliteration scheme from a dropdown menu, ensuring the output meets their specific requirements.
AM.Translit.CC Features
AM.Translit.CC stands out as a prominent tool among online Armenian converters. It supports both Eastern and Western Armenian pronunciations, providing users with flexibility regardless of their dialectal preference. This dual support is crucial for accurate transliteration, given the phonetic differences between the dialects.
Additionally, AM.Translit.CC offers options to adjust the transliteration output, making it a versatile tool for various transliteration needs. Whether you’re working with Classical Armenian literature or modern vernacular, this Armenian transliterator has its own transliteration table and transliteration method built in, and supports and adapts to your requirements seamlessly.
Virtual Armenian Keyboard
For those without a physical Armenian keyboard, virtual Armenian keyboards are an invaluable asset. These virtual keyboards allow users to input Armenian letters using their computer keyboard or mouse, ensuring that the correct Armenian letters are produced effortlessly.
The virtual Armenian keyboard emulator can display the corresponding Armenian characters on the screen Armenian keyboard when Latin keys are pressed, making it a convenient alternative to a conventional Armenian keyboard. Features like toggling between QWERTY and Armenian keyboard layout and accessing additional letters via the Shift key make these tools user-friendly and efficient, allowing users to easily emulate Armenian keyboard functionality.
Try a virtual Armenian keyboard below:
Eastern Armenian Keyboard
Western Armenian Keyboard