How to Use Foreign Characters

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Last updated: May 15, 2015 by JordiKai Watanabe-Inouye
2 min read

Where can I type in foreign characters?

All lab computers at Carleton are configured to use most of the foreign languages commonly used on campus. Students who want help setting up their own computers to use foreign languages can be referred to Carly Born's website on Foreign Language Technology

Which Language Keyboards are available in the labs?

  • Japanese
  • Chinese PRC (includes both Simplified and Traditional)
  • Russian Standard
  • Russian Homophonic (Windows Only)
  • Korean
  • US Standard
  • US International
  • Hebrew

How do I change the language settings on my computer?

On a Mac

If using a /wiki/spaces/TAR/pages/26464348 make sure the flag displayed on the top right hand corner of the screen is the flag corresponding to the language you would like to type in. If not, click the flag and change so that the affiliated flag is checked. Click here for Apple's Support page. Changing the language should look something like this:

On a PC

There are a number of different methods for changing the language in Windows. Below outline the Language Bar and Control Panel methods.

Method 1: Language Bar

On lab machines, there will be a Language Bar that appears. This can either be floating free or attached to the taskbar at the bottom.

 

 

The Language Bar has three buttons. The left button changes the language.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the center button changes the keyboard layout. This allows for international symbols to be entered seamlessly.

Method 2: Control Panel

If the Language Bar is not present, it is still possible to change the keyboard settings through the control panel. These instructions assume that the control panel is in Classic View instead of Category View. The language settings are in Regional and Language Options.

Once in Regional and Language Options, click on the center tab, Languages. In the Languages tab, click on Details.... This will open the Text Services and Input Languages window. Here you can change the languages. For more details, check the link to the Language Department page at the bottom.

Whom do I contact for further questions?

Questions about the use of foreign characters on computers should be answered by the following:

More advanced questions should be referred to Carly Born, preferably via email cborn@carleton.edu or by calling x7010.