My Bilingual Layout

Introduction

For over three months , I’ve been experimenting and learning about different keyboard layouts to find one that works well for my bilingual typing needs. Since I regularly write in both English and Dutch and have been using the QWERTY layout for 20+ years, I’m looking for a layout that’s both comfortable and efficient. My focus has been on split ortholinear keyboards because they offer a unique way to reduce strain and improve typing speed.

These keyboards are designed to make typing easier by minimizing finger movement and making better use of your thumbs. For example, placing frequently used letters like 'E' or 'R' under a thumb key can help reduce strain and even increase typing speed.   See Lillian Malt video1 and video2.

Letter Frequency Comparison

Most keyboard layouts are designed with English in mind, but the most frequently used letters can vary significantly between languages. A layout optimized for English might not be as effective for other languages. To explore how keyboard layouts might perform across languages, let’s examine the most commonly used letters in in several European languages:
English: E T A O I N S H R D L C U M W F G Y P B V K X J Q Z
Dutch:   E N A O I D T R S L G M K V H J U W Z P B C F Q X Y
Compare: 0 4 0 0 0 4 5 1 2 1 6 2 9 7 7 8 4 3 7 1 1 9 7 1 2 8

German:  E N I S R A T D H U L C G M O B W F K Z V P Ü Ä Ö J Y X Q ß
Danish:  E N A R T I S O D L U K M V G F H P B Y Æ Ø Å C J X Z Q
French:  E A I N S R T L U O D C M P V B G F H J Q X Y Z É À Ç È Ê Ë Î Ô Ù
Swedish: E A N T R S L D I O M K G V H U F P B C Y J Å Ö Ä W X Z Q

Key Differences between English and Dutch

1. ‘N’ vs. ‘T’: Dutch uses ‘N’ more often than ‘T’, while English is the opposite.

2. Less Frequent in Dutch: 'H', 'C', 'F', 'Y'

3. More Common in Dutch: 'G', 'K', 'V', 'J', 'Z'.

What Makes a Keyboard Layout Comfortable?

To understand why some layouts feel better than others, let’s look at some core principals:

Same-Finger Bigrams (SFBs) occur when two letters in a column are typed with the same finger, slowing you down and increasing strain. 

• Example: On QWERTY, typing ‘ed’ with the left middle finger is an SFB.

Redirects is when your hand has to change direction mid-sequence, like moving outward and then inward on the same side. It can feel clumsy.

• Example: Typing ‘you’ on QWERTY starts outward with ‘yo’ but then shifts inward with ‘ou’.

Rolls are smooth, flowing motions where you press keys with different fingers on the same hand in sequence. These are fast and comfortable. Inward rolls move your fingers toward the center of your hand, while outward rolls move your fingers away from the center.

• Inward example: On QWERTY, typing ‘er’ feels natural because of the rolling motion. Same goes for 'ou' or 'we'

• Outward example: On QWERTY, typing 'res' or 'te' or 'kl' - still feels good but not as good as an inward motion

Alternation is when you switch hands between letters, which helps keep a nice rhythm and can boost speed.

• Example: In ‘hello’, you switch hands between ‘h’ and ‘e’, making typing more balanced.

Challenges of Learning a Bilingual Layout

• Different Letter Frequencies – ‘N’ is common in Dutch, but ‘T’ dominates in English.

• Unique Bigrams – Movements differ between languages, slowing adaptation.

• Time Commitment – Learning for two languages takes 20–50% longer.

Optimized Layout for Split Ortholinear Keyboards

A well-optimized layout prioritizes:
✅ Avoiding Inner Columns – Reduces strain and speeds up typing.
✅ Using the Thumb Cluster – Assigning frequent letters like ‘E’ or ‘R’ to the thumb improves comfort.
✅ Reducing Finger Strain – Inspired by Maltron's 1970s layout, where ‘E’ was moved to the thumb for better efficiency.

Why Use the Thumb for Frequent Letters?

• The thumb is strong and agile, reducing strain on other fingers.

• Some argue thumbs aren’t as fast for repeated letters (e.g., ‘EE’), but the ergonomic benefits outweigh this.
  Remember, we also have space on thumb.

Optimal use of the home-row

Based upon an international Scrabble word list of 172,807 words, the following figures were derived.      source

Resources

Analyzers:

• KeySolve

• Oxey Dev Playground

• Keyboard Design Analyzer

Best Layouts:

• Keyboard Design Rankings

Research:

• A Guide to Alternative Keyboard Layouts – Pascal Getreuer

• Miryoku KMonad GitHub

• 178-Page Keyboard Layout Doc

Quickly test a layout:

• https://keyboard.experimental.software/

• https://keyboard-layout-try-out.pages.dev/ (Paste any layout in the window)