rusix

Writing using the Cyrillic alphabet cannot be done by default on computers set to work in English. This operation requires a Russian keyboard to connect to your computer or the Russian language pack installed on the system.

An alternative that you can use is rusix, a small application that enables you to type text in Russian, regardless of the default layout of your keyboard and the installed languages. The application is based on the phonetic layout, which means that any Latin character that you type is transformed into a Russian letter that sounds similar.

Phonetic keyboards rely on the AATSEEL standard and are mostly used by those who are not native Russian speakers, since it allows them to learn pronunciation and text writing much easier. Based on the same principles, rusix is configured to assign Russian characters to each key on your QWERTY keyboard.

Once it is launched, the application displays a small window that resembles the command prompt. All you have to do is start typing the desired words, sentences and phrases within the main window.

Please note that this application is not a full-featured text editor, but merely a phonetic translation provider. You shouldn't expect to have text formatting tools at your disposal, because there aren't any.

However, parts or the entire text can be selected and sent to the clipboard using the usual key combination. The copied content can be then pasted in a more advanced text editing application for further processing.

rusix can prove to be a useful piece of software for Russian teachers or those who are planning on learning this language on their own. Since it translates a text phonetically, it cannot be of use to professional translators or native Russian speakers.