Setting up your Mac for Japanese studies (+ a few non-Mac tips)

• Make sure you can input Japanese 

System preferences – Language & text – input sources – select Kotoeri (kotoeri is the Japanese language input system for Macs)

•  Change shortcut to easily switch between Japanese and other languages

This allows you to use your keyboard to change between language input, insead of having to click on the menu at the top of your screen

System preferences – Language and text - Input sources – click on keyboard shortcuts

Tick the two bottom boxes, to make shortcuts to select previous and next input source. At first you will get a warning sign saying this shortcut is used by another action.

Click on the shortcut itself – This will allow you to edit it

Input the shortcut of your choice ( I chose ctrl z and ctrl x)

• Install a good Japanese dictionary 

My favourite is Tagaini Jisho - and it's free

• Install a couple of nice fonts 

See my blogpost on installing Anzumoji - a free かわいhandwritten font

Add useful extentions to Open Office

Japanese integrated learning tool This is a great add-on. Look up words in  dictionary, and add footnotes to explain the kanjis in your document.

日本語¹の勉強²は楽³しいです

1Edict 日本語 [にっぽんご] (n) Japanese language/
Edict 日本語 [にほんご] (n) Japanese language/(P)/

2Edict 勉強 [べんきょう] (n,vs) (1) study/(2) diligence/(3) discount/reduction/(P)/

3Edict 楽 [らく] (adj-na,n,n-suf) comfort/ease/(P)/