Writing Japanese with OpenSuse11.0

(voir traduction en français dans ce blog)

This page aims at explaining how to set the linux system in order to allow Japanese writing in application like web browser or word processors.

The first thing you must accept is that the problem is not a matter of keyboard layout. The choice of a keyboard layout is just a matter of personal preference and will be discussed later on.

What you really have to do, is to install a bit of software which will interpret your typing (let us say in Latin Characters) and transform it into Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana or Kanji). This kind of software is called an Input Method Editor IME (mainly in the MS Windows universe). There are a lot of them but the only efficient one I know for Linux is SCIM. SCIM stands for Smart Common Input Method or Smart Chinese Input Method.

First of all I will try to explain what this IME does when activated.

What an IME does

Let's consider the following words (expressions) :neighborhood and dish towel.

They both are translated into japanese by ふきん。
Writen in kanji they will be、respectively, 付近　and 布巾。
These two words are both obtained typing fukin but how to get the one you want.
It is the point where the IME (here SCIM) comes into action.

SCIM in action

When you type f you see f. If you go on typing u you see ふ。 At this point、 you have the possibility to decide that your word is completed but what you could get at this stage are only the Japanese words spelled fu. It is not your choice presently so you go on typing ふk　then ふき　then ふきn. At this time, and it is the most important time, you have two possibilities:

1. decide that you want the word written in hiragana. If so type enter.
2. decide you want to enter the word in an other form. if so type space.

In the second case, typing space will trigger the transformation of the word into Kanji. The choice between 布巾　or 付近 depends on the context and on the performance of the IME. At the moment the best IME, according to my Japanese wife, is ATOK . ATOK is used mainly with the MS Windows OS. There are Linux possibilities but they are not free (I mean neither open nor gratis).

After the word has been transformed into kanji you still have two possibilities:

1. decide that you want the word written as it is presented. If so type enter.
2. decide you want to enter the word into an other form. if so type space.

In the second case again the IME proposes you an other kanji form (a different word) and the process goes on as long as you type space. The only difference is that a dialog box pops up showing you all the possible candidates. Each time you press space your choice changes. As soon as you have get the word you want, in the form you want, press enter.

How to install SCIM and how to get it working

First you must be aware that in order to be able to write Japanese, in addition to SCIM, you need Japanese fonts. All this, in OpenSUSE 11.0 and other previous version, is provided by the Japanese Language Package.

Step 1: Install the Japanese Language Package from YAST.































Step 2 : restart the computer

Step 3: get SCIM working

After having restarted the computer look at the task panel, in standard installation at the low right corner of the screen.

You can see a small keyboardlike icon.

Open an application like OpenOffice writer.

Left click on the keyboardlike icon, and in the pop up menu select Japanese. Keeping the left button pressed select Anthy (the one with a crown icon).　After selection a new bar (the SCIM bar) will appear over the task panel ( see picture).








This bar consists of The label SCIM, the Crownlike icon, an hiragana icon, a kanji icon, a booklike icon、 a textlike icon and a question mark.　If instead of the hiragana icon you have an other thing, click on it and select hiragana (this the basic choice for Japanese writing).

Type your text has explained above. 　Remember each time you press enter you finish and enter a new word. If you have made a mistake in the choice press the backtab and the possibility to toggle the choices with space will appear again.

Sometime the word is presented in several section (e.g. one in kanji and one in hiragana). make your choice for the first section with space then press the right arrow key to make your choice for the second section.

How to return to the previous input method

To come back to the habitual way of typing. Click on the Crown of Anthy in the task bar and chose English/keyboard or Direct keyboard depending on how many keyboard layout you have enabled in the window manager (one or several).


A faster way of toggling the typing method.

Press Ctl-space to toggle between the typing method "Direct keyboard" or the SCIM method. This is very efficient each time you want to write a text mixing your own language and the Japanese language.


Have a lot of fun。