2

I am Portuguese, and thus have a Portuguese keyboard layout on my laptop. I want to write in Japanese, and have already installed Microsoft IME and am able to write in Japanese.

What I want to know is if there is anyway to get a "preview" of the virtual Japanese layout (preferably in kana) so that I know where all the keys are and exactly which functions each one has. Is there anyway of getting a virtual image of my layout or does anyone know exactly where each key is and what it does?

Thank you

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
1

After having chatted with some native Japanese, I've found out that they usually type the romanized word, thus rendering my question moot...

Improve this answer
0

Windows has an on-screen keyboard for accessibility. You can bring it up - it's always-on-top - and see a map of your current layout.

On my Windows 7 installation, it's at Start->All Programs->Accessories->Ease of Access.

Improve this answer
3
  • It does show the keyboard layout, but not in kana, which is what I am looking for. Do you know if there is a way of showing it in kana?
    – JNat ♦
    Jul 25, 2012 at 13:56
  • Is there a one-to-one correspondence from keys on the keyboard to kana? I'm not very familiar with it, but in my limited experience, Japanese is typed by typing a romanization of the Japanese word, which the software then translates to kana.
    – Aric TenEyck
    Jul 25, 2012 at 14:20
  • Each of the letters has a kana assigned to it, but the kana that are supposed to be in the punctuation keys are not the same, because they are located in different places. BTW, I can actually write in Japanese right now, I would just like to know if there is a way to show me where all the keys are. And normally I write in kana and then let the software translate it to Kanji, since I do not like to write the romanization of the words.
    – JNat ♦
    Jul 25, 2012 at 16:37
-1

I think the missing thing is either changing the keyboard driver, or changing the default keyboard setting. You may run through the steps described here, http://anonani.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-map-japanese-keyboard-on-english.html I used it to map my Japanese keyboard correctly, but using these same steps, I can select the option to the default key map back to English. Source(s): http://anonani.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-map-japanese-keyboard-on-english.html

Improve this answer
1
  • This does not help me. I CAN already type in Japanese, I just don't know where the keys are.
    – JNat ♦
    Jul 25, 2012 at 13:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.