Is there some software that will let me type pinyin text including the tone marks, like "Mā má mǎ mà"? I got that text by typing English into Google Translate and copying and pasting the pinyin text from the Google Translate window. How can I type pinyin directly on an English keyboard and get the tone marks?
I suggest 搜狗（SouGou) typing software.
āáǎà īíǐì ōóǒò ūúǔù
If you are using Windows, a great option is to use PinyinTones:
http://pinyintones.codeplex.com/
If you type this: ma1 ma2 ma3 ma4
After you type each digit, the digit is removed and the tone is added: mā má mǎ mà
This has been far and away the simplest way I have found to add tones.
@Alister: Thanks, I'll give that a try.
@Walter: Before I load Sogou on my machine, can you confirm that it provides a convenient way to type Pinyin with tone marks? That's all I really want right now. Thanks!
I see what you mean about WordPad in Windows 7. However, you can use Notepad++ instead. It is free, extremely popular, and works perfectly with PinYin Tones. I've created a little instruction manual for you:
http://www.alisterjones.com/italki-78020.htm
I hope this helps.
