Character Input Methods for SLA (Western)
For studying (typing) Western Languages (= need for diacritics only; whether you have a US keyboard hardware or UK which is pretty similar), we recommend the MS Windows US International Keyboard layout which is based on “dead keys”.
Currently installed in the LLC are the Language Bar (floating on top of screen or accessible from the taskbar) with these keyboard layouts:
Keyboard layout settings are application/window specific, and “US” (non-international) is still the default for new applications/windows, so prepare to switch after you start a new application;
There are keyboard shortcuts for switching, however, “Key settings”: “switch between input languages” , using LEFT ALT + SHIFT, does not work. Workaround: use the language bar for switching:
Windows keyboard layout settings can be temperamental – if you find you cannot switch to a certain layout anymore, you may have to restart the computer.
Use the following keyboard shortcuts to enter diacritics more easily:
Press (together, then release) |
then press |
Example Result |
` (accent grave) |
any letter that can have this accent, e.g. "a”, also cedilla ç |
à |
‘ (apostrophe) |
á |
|
^ (caret)- |
â |
|
~ (tilde) |
ã |
|
” (double quotation marks) |
ä |
|
CTRL+& |
Z or z |
æ |
rightALT+ |
X or x |
œ |
rightAlt+n |
|
ñ |
ALT+CTRL+? |
|
¿ |
rightAlt+? |
|
|
ALT+CTRL+! |
|
¡ |
rightAlt+1 |
|
|
rightAlt+s |
S |
ß |
To access the original, now dead keys, press space bar after pressing the dead key.
Modifiers(blue)/Layout |
Note the new modifier = “dead” keys, indicated by light blue color (click to enlarge) |
Normal |
|
|
|
Shift |
|
|
US International |
|
Screencast of US International in action here: deadkeys.wmv
Interactive Demo of installation procedure (personal computers outside of the LLC) here: keyboard_usinternational.swf
Planned improvements:
- Use LEFT ALT+Shift to switch to (Software) “Keyboard Layout” “United-States International”.
- Use other keyboard short cuts to access a desired keyboard layout directly
- Dock the “Language Bar” in the Taskbar, then hover over it to make sure you selected the proper “Keyboard Layout”.

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2011/07/28 at 18:41Summary: Foreign language character input in LRC and on your own Windows PC « Thomas' Work Space