Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) is a specialized software package used to type in Ethiopic scripts (like Amharic and Tigrinya) on modern computer systems. While older "Power Geez" versions often relied on legacy fonts, the Unicode 2 series is designed for better compatibility with current applications like Microsoft Office and web browsers Key Features Phonetic Typing
: Users can type Ethiopic characters using standard English keyboard letters based on their sound. Unicode Support
: Ensures that typed text displays correctly across different devices, emails, and web pages without requiring specific legacy fonts to be installed by the recipient. Dual Modes
: Typically includes both a "Normal Phonetic" mode for legacy fonts and a "Phonetic Unicode" mode for modern systems. Font Recognition & Conversion power geez unicode 2 2021
: Capable of recognizing and converting documents written in older Ethiopic fonts into modern Unicode text. Installation & Usage Tips
compatibility issue of word with Power geez 10 - Microsoft Learn
Use ie after the consonant:
l + ie → ል (lɨ)k + ie → ክ (kɨ)Or type the consonant twice quickly: kk → ክ (in some versions).
Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) is a modern extension and refinement of Ethiopic script support in Unicode, aimed at improving digital representation of Geʽez-based writing systems (Amharic, Tigrinya, Geʽez liturgical texts, and related languages). The 2021 update focused on better coverage of historical and regional characters, normalization consistency, and clearer rendering behavior across platforms.
The "Power" moniker is not hyperbole. Independent tests conducted by the Ethiopian Language Technology Initiative in mid-2021 showed: Power Geez Unicode 2 (2021) is a specialized
| Feature | Legacy Font (2015) | Power Geez Unicode 2 2021 | |--------|-------------------|----------------------------| | Rendering speed (1,000 chars) | 1.8 seconds | 0.4 seconds | | Memory usage per document | 34 MB | 9 MB | | Unicode compliance | 78% | 100% | | Cross-platform failures | 18% | 0.3% |
This performance leap came from rewriting the glyph substitution engine in C++ and using GPU-accelerated text shaping.
| 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) | l + ie → ል (lɨ) k + ie → ክ (kɨ)
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.