Géyīnzì

Origin

Géyīnzì was invented by Simon Ager (the author of this site) in 1998 as an alternative way to write Mandarin Chinese. Since then it has gone through many revisions and refinements. The sound system is based on bopomofo (the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet) with some modifications. The shapes of the letters were inspired partly by bopomofo and partly by such alphabets as Thai and Burmese.

The first part of the name 'gé' [kɤ̌] is my surname in Chinese, the second part, 'yīnzì' [ɪ́n tš] means 'phonetic letters'. In Chinese characters it's written: 革音字.

Notable features

Syllables can be made up of an initial plus a final, a final on its own, or an initial on its own, but not all initials can stand on their own.
Tones are marked in the same why as in bopomofo.
Syllables belonging together are linked with a hyphen.

Used to write:

Mandarin Chinese, but could be adapted to write other varieties of Chinese.

Initials

Géyīnzì initial letters

Finals

Géyīnzì finals

Tone indication

Numerals

Sample text

Sample text in the Géyīnzì script

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

See this text in Chinese characters

Download a Géyīnzì font (TrueType format, 19K). NB: this font doesn't include the numerals. If anybody feels like adding the numerals, please do so and send me a copy of the modified font.

Details of the Chinese script and language

Also by Simon Ager

Curvetic, Fingers, Kanadana, Geyinzi, Tengwar for Welsh

Other alternative scripts for Chinese

DirectRooms provides discount hotels worldwide all with a low price guarantee