panamapal

For someone from the U.S., typing in Spanish can be very hard, since U.S. keyboards do not have the ability to write accents and such. How can you change the settings on a computer to use the international keyboard, rather than the U.S. one?

Lalaguayaba

Its actually really easy if you type in a foreign language occasionally--otherwise, take the time to invest in a Spanish/French/Russian keyboard, i.e. whatever language you are going to type in frequently. Spanish and French can basically be accomodated on the same keyboard--I have few problems with that.
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For the basics, try the producer of the operating system for your computer, like the Microsoft site, or the Apple site, etc. For use in your word processing software, the same rules apply--and thoroughly check the 'help' section by searching for 'International Characters.' Searching for 'Spanish' will most likely just tell you how to change the language selection, and not how to type in Spanish on an English keyboard...
Here are a few quick links:
Ask Dr. International, Column #21
Search Results

And when all else fails, go to google for 'Input Method Editors [IMEs]' and 'International Typing for 'Blank''--shouldn't be too hard to find several million different ways to type what you need.

Cheers.

coolandhot

In Windows, I believe it is under the properties of the keyboard in the control panel. However, you will need to learn how to type with your keyboard set to international.

Charlez

You can still type with accents even with the standard U.S layout. You just need to use some special "codes" with Windows. Linux and Mac support accents as well, but I'm not sure if they use the same codes..

Anyway on Windows to type ñ, you hold alt and then type 164. However, when typing this on a web browser or even certain programs it may do something else, like close the program, go back to the previous page etc. So it's really only ideal for word processors. But you can type it into a word processor and just copy and paste it to the appropriate thing (like a forum for instance) just do it in notepad and copy and paste it in.

Lalaguayaba

And that's easier than buying a Spanish keyboard, why? As much as I love the Alt codes, there is nothing easier than just typing on an Int'l keyboard--and if you do a lot of it, it is a sanity-saving investment.

Cheers.

Charlez

You do have a point though, but it's a bit of a hassle to have that keyboard with you (like when your traveling) so it's best to get used to the alt codes. But at home or the office, the international keyboard is a quicker and more efficient solution as you said.

Plus if you plan to do a lot of foreign language typing it's worth buying as it will save you time and you don't have to memorize all those alt codes. However, for those using the alt code method I suggest you get a printout of the codes and have it handy near your PC that way you can refer to it in case you forget a code and after a while you'll memorize them quite easily.

Lalaguayaba

I love my cheat-sheet printouts! I keep them with my laptop for ease of use--they are totally invaluable for random codes, foreign alphabets, my fave fonts, Xcel, HTML, Vbasic--all the goodies. Never underestimate the value of laminated 3'x5's for computer reference...

Cheers.

nuaeman

can anyone give one example one sentences in spanish?
anyone can?
such as "I love you" how can we write it in spanish?

lee

Great suggestions!

Hi nuaeman... "I love you" in Spanish: Te amo

nuaeman

owhh a simple sentence..
how with about "you are very beautiful girls"?

Lalaguayaba

Well, you wouldn't use the word 'girls'--it really does designate female children. Try 'ladies'....
Ustedes son damas muy hermosas

For future reference: http://ets.freetranslation.com/

This site provides 'gisted' translations--so they are not perfect!! Be forewarned.

For instance, the site translated that sentence using 'Usted'--the singular, formal 'you,' instead of 'Ustedes,' the informal plural--that is the difference between gisted and actual translations.

Cheers.

nuaeman

ok thank you for your info, I will be learn spanish if I have any free time..

zhinghur

Oh, i forgot about this in another thread. You can use google translator to learn spanish. Just type in the left pane the sentence you want to translate to and get the desired result.

Lalaguayaba

The Google translator has the same problem as www.freetranslation.com; it runs a 'gisted' translation program that cannot differentiate between 'You (plural, informal)' and 'You (singular, formal.) It utilizes a set of protocols, that, while they are very good for getting the 'gist' of sentence's meaning, it misses the nuances that a person would understand.

So, while such programs and sites are really helpful for basic translations, make sure to run them back and forth a few times between English/Spanish (or Spanish/?) so that you are getting the desired result.

For example, the above sentence of: You (plural, informal) are very beautiful girls is translated literally, and gisted. There is also the difference of the word for girl and the word for woman--in English, it is rather frequent to refer to women as girls, in Spanish, this does not happen. And I think that people would take it the wrong way, even if they recognize that you are not fluent--and no one wants that to happen!

Cheers.

zhinghur

Didn't know about that. Anyway thanks Lalaguayaba, for the information and for correcting me as well.