How To Get Ubuntu Keyboards to Support Multiple Languages

Free and open source operating system Ubuntu has just released its brand new version with a brand new look called Unity. Ubuntu’s latest version 11.04 has the codename Natty Narwhal.  One of the many advantages of Ubuntu is that you can use it in almost any language you’re comfortable with. By default, as usual, Ubuntu loads up with English, but you can choose any of your favorite languages from the installation menu.

However, one thing that Ubuntu has been missing since its 10.10 release is the native support for various keyboard layouts. This has been done to reduce the CD image size, but it has sparked a thread of dissatisfaction among users who choose to write in keyboard layouts other than English.

This quick tutorial will tell you how to add a localized keyboard layout in almost any language you choose.

The Process

First, log in to your Ubuntu and open Software Center. In Natty, Ubuntu software center always sits on the left launcher panel. Click to open and then search for “m17n ibus”. You will find the following program.

You need to be connected to the Internet in order to download this. This is a little program that downloads all the localized keyboard layouts to your computer.

Once downloaded and installed, click on the Ubuntu logo on the upper left corner of your desktop.  This will open up Dash, introduced in Unity. Search for “ibus” and click on the icon that says keyboard input methods with an ‘i’ icon on it.

You will see a dialog box.  Click Yes to continue. Now that you’re on the main iBus window, click the “Input Method” window and you’ll see a drop-down menu. This drop-down menu lists all the languages you might want to add. Before installing the m17n iBus program, it only shows Chinese language. Once m17n is installed, you’ll see a list of languages followed by available layouts.

For now, I have chosen Unijoy for Bangla input.

Feel free to add any layout of your choice and then click the Add button to add it to iBus. Then, click close. Now, you will need to restart iBus for changes to take place. Right click on the keyboard icon on the systray (upper right corner of your desktop) and click restart to restart iBus.

Now, you can easily switch between English and your preferred keyboard layout by pressing “Ctrl + Space” anytime on any window.

Make it Permanent

It may be a little irritating to start iBus each time you restart Ubuntu. If you would like to make your setting permanent, start by opening up the dash by clicking the Ubuntu Logo and search for “Language Support”.

This may show a dialog box. Click “Remind me later” to get rid of that. On the main window of language support, you will find a drop-down menu next to a text that reads “Keyboard input method system”. Click on it and choose iBus.

Now, you can close the window, because changes are automatically saved.

That’s it.  Your Ubuntu is ready for your favorite keyboard layout, and you can use it anytime by the switching key “Ctrl + Space” on any window including browsers, text editors or word processors.

(By) Aminul Islam Sajib is a technology journalist and blogger from Bangladesh. Visit his personal blog or friend him on Facebook.