About Lao Script

Lao Script for Windows was originally developed in 1993 by John Durdin and Marc Durdin, and was the first effective solution for using the Lao language with applications on Windows 3.1.

The two features that led to Lao Script for Windows being widely used were a good quality TrueType font that included both Lao and English characters, based on original glyphs drawn and made available by Silvain Dupertuis, and Lao word-wrap using automatic insertion of hidden break codes between Lao syllables. This was made possible by Tavultesoft Keyboard Manager, a keyboard mapping application created by Marc Durdin, and from which was developed the Keyman application which has since become widely used around the world for keyboard mapping for more than 1000 languages.

Since that time, as new standards and versions of Windows became available, Lao Script for Windows was further upgraded and developed accordingly. As well as the keyboard mapping and fonts, Add-Ins for various applications were developed, to support word-wrap, spell-checking and conversion of Lao text between different coding conventions.

Lao fonts and keyboard-mapping for use with computers using macOS (OS X) were provided in 2009, but were replaced in 2015 by Lao Script for Mac, which used Tavultesoft Keyman technology for keyboard mapping, but neither app is currently maintained. However, a general keyboard mapping solution Keyman for macOS by SIL is now available, and provides a maintained keyboard mapping solution for Lao when installed with one or more Lao keyboards available from the same site.

LaoScript History

New features or changesVersionDate
Web site adapted for phones and other small-format devices, older documents updated or deleted if no longer relevant.- - - -2021-03-22
New variable truetype font families SengBuhan, Sengpathom and Saysettha Mai released.1.02021-03-14
New Thai to Lao translation app released.1.02020-10-06
Saysettha font family and variable TrueType font released.1.0042020-07-14
Apple now include support for Lao language, so LaoScript for Mac is no longer needed or maintained.- - - -2019-10-07
Keyman 11 for macOS with Lao keyboards and fonts now available as an alternative to LaoScript for Mac .- - - -2019-03-01
Fix old code combined vowel/tone error in keyboard mapping.8.3.22018-08-22
Fix bug in Thai to Lao translation function.8.3.12016-11-11
License-free edition of LaoScript 8.8.3.02015-12-19
License-free edition of Lao Script for Windows Version 7.7.4.02015-12-19
Lao Script for Mac, with Keyman keyboard mapping and compatible Lao Unicode fonts (DMG).1.0.02015-12-19
Update Lao Add-Ins for Word and Excel.8.2.12014-12-29
Update Lao Add-In for Adobe InDesign for use with LaoScript 8.8.2.02014-08-27
Correct behaviour of Ctrl and Alt hotkey combinations.8.1.92014-02-17
Improve quality of MX-series fonts, correct keyboard mapping (non-English keyboards), correct syllable splitting.8.1.82014-02-12
Simplify license activation and silent installation.8.1.72013-10-12
Update "Saysettha 2000" series fonts.8.1.62013-07-01
Add Lao Add-In for Libre Office (or OpenOffice) Writer and Calc.8.1.52012-12-08
Add Lao Add-In for Microsoft Access.8.1.42012-09-25
Add support for silent installation, update "Saysettha 95" series fonts.8.1.22012-06-27
Provide Free Edition for personal use (keyboard mapping and fonts only).8.1.02012-06-02
Update trial-key activation to avoid version conflicts.8.0.72012-03-03
Correct initializtion of Lao Add-Ins for Excel, PowerPoint.8.0.62012-02-25
Update Lao Add-In for PowerPoint including use of some older Lao fonts.8.0.52012-02-18
Add Lao Ribbon menus for Excel and PowerPoint.8.0.42012-02-13
Add Lao Ribbon menu for Word, correct phonetic input errors.8.0.32012-02-05
First release of LaoScript 8, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit applications of Windows 7 and later - see feature list.8.0.02011-12-20
Correct license activation conflict with LaoScript 8.7.3.02012-03-03
Correct license activation issues.7.2.12009-12-19
Add support for site licensing and silent installation, fix activation issues.7.2.02009-11-24
Add MX series fonts, update Saysettha Lao to fix disappearing 'n-nok', add Lao Add-In for Adobe InDesign7.1.02009-05-28
Lao keyboard and font for Mac OS X (DMG).0.9.02009-02-04
Add Alice5 OT font.7.0.22007-07-06
Release of Version 7 with support for Windows Vista.7.0.02007-03-17
Add Lao spell-checking and import/export to or from "DuangJan"-coded Lao text files.1.1.01993-10-01
First release of "Lao Script for Windows", with "Saysettha Lao" and other TrueType Lao/English fonts and Keyman 2.0.1.0.01993-06-01
Beta release of "Keyman for Lao", with "Vientiane" TrueType Lao/English font.0.9.01993-05-01