Simple shell script for retriving hard to write symbols via smart fuzzy finding search!

clone this repo to some location

git clone https://github.com/Edvid/shell-IPA $HOME/.shell-ipa

add that location to your path

echo 'PATH="$HOME/.shell-ipa:$PATH"' >> $HOME/.bashrc
# You may also just paste PATH="$HOME/.shell-ipa:$PATH" into your .bashrc file manually

enjoy ipa shell script!

echo h$(ipa midcent)l$(ipa midcent)$(ipa nearcloback) w$(ipa opmidcentunr)$(ipa long)ld
# Should produce:
# hələʊ wɜːld

the ipa shell script can be used in two ways, with and without parameter

if you just run

ipa

you will be met by a fuzzy finder screen where you can search for the symbol you're looking for by name. Wiht a fuzzy finder you won't have to type the exact name of the symbol you're looking for. For example, to find the "Voiceless_uvular_plosive", the search "voiceless_u" will suffice, but so will "lessuvu" and even "lsu". To find the "Voiceless_uvular_fricative", the search "voiceless_uvular_f" would be needed without fuzzy finding, but with fuzzy finding, "lsuf" would be enough.

You can also use the arrow keys (or CTRL+j CTRL+k) to navigate between all options that match the fuzzy finding, but it defaults to what the search engine thinks is the best fit given your search. You select by pressing Enter.

You can also use the program with a single parameter

ipa omfrr

This will return the letter it believes is the best match given the parameter, without opening an interactive fuzzy finder. This means it can be used in compound commands like so

echo Danish person thinking: $(ipa omfrr)$(ipa long)m
# Produces:
# Danish person thinking: œːm