Ńdẹ́bẹ́ script created in 2009 by Lotanna Igwe-Odunze. ndebe.org.
Keyboard copyright © 2026 Lotanna Igwe-Odunze. This package includes Ndebe Rounded and Ndebe Soft Bold, with the approved symbols and teaching forms.
For Keyman on Windows, macOS and Linux. This package has no native phone or tablet touch keyboard. macOS installation and typing have been tested; Windows and Linux verification remains outstanding.
Install this package in Keyman, enable the keyboard, and select Ndebe Rounded or Ndebe Soft Bold in your document. No keyboard or font is installed by building the package.
| Key | Result |
|---|---|
| Space | Ordinary space |
| Shift + Space | Word separator / interpunct |
| Backtick | Nzobe before the surviving vowel |
| Apostrophe | Alternating single prong quotation |
| Shift + Apostrophe | Alternating double prong quotation |
| 0–9 | Ndebe 0–9 |
| Alt / Option + 0–9 | Ndebe 10–19; Ctrl+Alt also supported |
| Shift + number | Usual symbol |
| Period after numeral | Vigesimal marker |
| Period elsewhere | Full stop |
| Alt / Option + Period | Decimal marker |
| Alt / Option + Shift + Period | Explicit full stop |
| Shift + Period | Greater-than sign |
| Alt + Apostrophe | Close or flip single quotation |
| Alt + Shift + Apostrophe | Close or flip double quotation |
Native quotation alternation examines up to 64 preceding characters. When the previous quote is beyond the available context, it opens a quotation. Use Alt+apostrophe to insert a closing quote or flip the adjacent one. Single and double quotes are independent. This is a native keyboard limitation; the website examines the complete preceding text.
The Math, Currency, Teaching, and Symbols and spacing palettes belong to Type Ndebe; installing a keyboard does not put those panels inside other applications. Teaching text made in Type Ndebe can be copied into applications that support the installed fonts and OpenType shaping. Structured equations require compatible document formatting.
Test Alt/Option digits, quotations, ordinary syllables, nzobe, and pasted teaching forms on each target system. The owner permits editable-document embedding; both fonts carry that setting. Other distribution/licensing terms are unchanged.