Interesting discussion of a chorded input device alongside modal editing of code.
Modal editing is quite prominent in vim and vim-flavoured tools. So, I don't think model editing's lack of popularity is due to people not knowing about it.. although it's definitely a power-user way to drive a tool.
I wonder if a whole external device is really necessary for the one-handed device for chords. I think with a customisable keyboard, you'd be able to chord.
Seems that the idea is to use the mouse to point at the noun, then use one-handed chord to drive actions? Interesting idea.. some use cases still benefit from one hand on keyboard and one on mouse.