Romaji to Hiragana keyboard download

Installing Japanese Input On Your Computer

A program is a spell cast over a computer, turning input into error messages - Anonymous

The first thing you have to do is be able to type in Japanese. Im sure many of you can do that already, but for those of you who cant (and for those of you who want to get a little better at typing in Japanese), keep reading on. Whoever you are, its probably a good idea to (at the very least) skim the next couple pages to make sure you know whats going on.

Installing An IME

An IME is an Input Method Editor. This is an application that lets you type in other languages, using your keyboard (versus using a Japanese keyboard, or something like that). There are a few IME applications out there, including ones that come with your computer. Im going to cover MacOSX and Windows in this chapter (sorry Linux users, Im just going to assume youre more tech savvy than I am and can do all this because youre using Linux and awesome like that still, you get a forum post written by a fellow member to help you out!). Whether you have a Mac or PC, Im going to have you install the same IME (made by Google) because I think its easier to use, its cross platform, and better overall (at least in my opinion).

If you have another IME installed (like koteri for Mac or Windows IME) you can keep that one if youd like. If you dont have any IME installed, or want to try something new / better, keep reading.

Step 1: Download Googles Japanese IME (the download page is in Japanese, but the application itself is not just hit the big blue button that says ダウンロード).

Step 2: Follow the instructions on installing it on your particular operating system.

Step 3: Itll look different depending on your operating system, but Google IME may be ready to go on your computer. If not, try these steps:

Windows XP

1. Open your Control Panel by clicking the Start button and clicking Control Panel
2. Choose Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options
3. Choose Add Other Languages
4. Choose the Languages Tab and then click Details
5. In the Settings Tab click Add. Do not change the Default Input Language (for example, English)
6. Select Googles Japanese Input Method under Keyboard Layout / IME
7. Hit Okay, and do a little dance
8. An EN will appear in your start bar. Click this and change to あ (Hiragana) to start typing in Japanese

Windows Vista

1. Open your Control Panel by clicking on the Start orb and clicking Control Panel
2. Open Clock, Language, and Region
3. Click on Change keyboards or other input methods
4. Click Change keyboards in the Keyboards and Languages tab
5. Click Add in the General tab
6. Select Googles Japanese Input Method
7. Hit Okay
8. An EN will appear in your start bar. Click this and change to あ (Hiragana) to start typing in Japanese

Windows 7

1. Open the Control Panel via the Start Orb
2. Open Clock, Language, and Region
3. Open Change keyboards or other input methods via the Regional and Language tab
4. Click Change keyboards in the Keyboards and Languages tab
5. In the General tab, click Add
6. Select Googles Japanese Input Method
7. Confirm and hit Okay
8. An EN will appear in your start bar. Click this and change to あ (Hiragana) to start typing in Japanese

Mac OS X

1. Open System Preferences from your dock or Applications folder
2. Click Language & Text
3. Choose Input Sources
4. Click the Google Japanese Input box and choose Hiragana and (optional:) Romaji and Katakana Id leave half width katakana and full-width Alphanumeric unchecked.
5. Up at the top right of your screen there should be a symbol showing your language. Click on that, and choose あ Hiragana to start typing in Japanese.

Linuxy Things

1. http://www.textfugu.com/bb/topic/install-instructions-ime-on-ubuntulinux/

Once youve gotten Japanese set up on your computer, youll be ready to start typing. Heres the big question, though: How do you type in Japanese?

後前