Ubuntu – Anthy (japanese input) keyboard shortcut

japaneseshortcut-keys

One particularly interesting keyboard shortcut when typing japanese is the ability to switch the current input between the 3 set of characters which can be used in japanese.

On Windows and most of the japanese input systems, the conversion from hiragana to katakana for instance is bound to F7. Is there a way to mimic this behavior on Ubuntu (and preferably using a key which is less commonly used than this one)?

Generally speaking, is there a way to tune the behavior of Anthy on Ubuntu?

Thanks.

PS: Just to make things clear japanese input works but is unpractical. I want to customize the japanese input behavior, not have directions for initial setup.

Best Answer

  1. Using Ubuntu Software Center install ibus-anthy. This will give you Japanese keyboard layout.
  2. Once you installed iBus, open Dash and look for iBus. Once iBus is running, go to the second tab called Input Method.
  3. Make sure "Customize Input Selection Method" is checked. Click on Select and Input Method and select Japanese > anthy. Do not chose "Anthy (m17n)" it does not allow F7, F8 etc. to change fonts Then hit the Add button to add this input method. If Japanese is not at the top, click on it and click Up button to move it to the top. Click on Close button. You will notice a keyboard icon on the top panel in Unity.
  4. Now, open a new window of LibreOffice or Gedit or where ever you want to type in Japanese and hit Ctrl+Space. This will change the input method to Anthy for that app. You will notice that the icon on the tray now shows Aち. If you don't see Aち and see the keyboard icon or another language icon on the top panel, click on it and select Japanese-anthy. Now type you can type in Japanese.

Hope this helps

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