Japanese Keyboard not working correctly

Question

Level 1

75 points

Japanese Keyboard not working correctly

I have a US powerbook running Tiger and just aquired a Japanese bluetooth keyboard.

I created a new account and changed its primary language to Japanese. The character set toggles on the keybaord (between romangi, hiragana and katakana) does change the language input icon in the top menubar area but the keyboard still types in roman characters (romangi) converting them to hiragana or katakana after you type them in romangi.

How do I get the keyboard to type the japanese characters printed on the keyboard instead of always typing in romangi?

FYI - In the International settings, I activated the Japanese input methods and turned off the US one.

17" Powerbook, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Dec 16, 2005 10:18 PM

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Answer 1

--JB--

Level 5

4,087 points

Dec 16, 2005 11:13 PM in response to Gerald Jones

Hi Gerald,

I want to help, but I don't speak Japanese. I use the German keyboard, but it basically only changes the y and z buttons. Here a couple of PDFs on Japanese Keyboard Manuals. The other thing is these Language Kit Manuals that might help. One thing is to try looking for different fonts. I would Google "os x japanese font" or something to that extent.

I am sorry I can't be more help,
Jon

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Answer 2

Dec 17, 2005 12:42 AM in response to Gerald Jones

I myself have an english keyboard, but I did notice the exact thing you are speaking of. I don't speak Japanese, nor write in hiragana or katakana (but do know what they are), but I would have to believe this is a feature more than anything since there are more characters in the katakana than spaces on the keyboard, and due to the kanji Radicals. Not sure about hiragana though.

Hope this helps you out.

- Shawn

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Answer 3

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,210 points

Dec 17, 2005 5:58 AM in response to Gerald Jones

How do I get the keyboard to type the japanese

characters printed on the keyboard instead of always
typing in romangi?

Go to Kotoeri Preferences (near the bottom of the "flag" menu when Kotoeri input is active), first tab, and switch the first item.

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Answer 4

Gerald Jones Author

Level 1

75 points

Dec 17, 2005 8:06 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

It is set for koteri but the keyboard is still typing in romanji. If I type desu I get the two hiragana characters but I want to be able to click the hiragana character on the keyboard and get it with one stroke instead of typing in romanji.

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Answer 5

Gerald Jones Author

Level 1

75 points

Dec 17, 2005 8:08 AM in response to Shawn Most

The keyboard has all the characters and radicals through shifts. The issue is getting the computer to type a 'chi' when I hit that key. Instead, I have to type (in romanji) 'chi' and then the 'chi' character in Hiragana appears.

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Answer 6

Gerald Jones Author

Level 1

75 points

Dec 17, 2005 8:23 AM in response to --JB--

Thanks for trying. The language kits and PDFs are all for OS 9.

They describe a setting to switch from Romanji to Kana entry mode on the Keyboard but I cannot find such a setting in OS X.

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Answer 7

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,210 points

Dec 17, 2005 9:35 AM in response to Gerald Jones

Gerald -- Did you actually go to Kotoeri Preferences, first Tab and switch the first button to the second item on the list? Did this really not switch your keyboard input to the direct mode?

If you don't understand what I mean by this, I can send you a screenshot. Click on my name for the address.

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Answer 8

Gerald Jones Author

Level 1

75 points

Dec 17, 2005 2:23 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

I don't see a Kotoeri preferences. In the International preferences, Input Menu tab I have selected Kotoeri and all the sub items (Hiragana, Katakana, etc...).

Can you elaborate on the Preferences menu for Kotoeri?

Thanks

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Answer 9

Gerald Jones Author

Level 1

75 points

Dec 17, 2005 5:36 PM in response to Gerald Jones

Tom answered my question...

I had to load the OS X disk and scroll down to the optional (additional) features and install the Japanese Language extras.

Then go into the input method menu (Flag in the top bar on the screen) and select Kotoeri Preferences. The first tab, top drop-down menu (in Japanese) is the switch between romanji and direct kana input.

His website has all the info and is great for multi-language Mac information.

http://homepage.mac.com/thgewecke/mlingos9.html

Feel free to e-mail me if you need help.

Jerry

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