Score:1

Accented letters in Ubuntu 20.04

no flag

How do I make accented letters in Ubuntu 20.04? I had it before in previous versions, with one key that you first pushed to start making the accent. I would like to have that same system again, but I can't find it.

Score:1
cn flag

You're looking for so called "dead keys". Those are keys that don't print a character (on the first try), but influence the next character. For example, if you press ', it doesn't have an immediate effect, the key seems "dead". But if you press e directly afterward, you get é.

In Ubuntu, you can change the keyboard layout you want to use. Some layouts include dead keys, others don't. So if you want to use dead keys, just choose a keyboard layout that supports them.

Score:0
in flag

The easiest way I have found for this is to install GNOME Tweaks and perhaps set the right Windows key as the Compose key.

GNOME Tweaks can be downloaded from the ubuntu software center.

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That done, you will have a whole range of vowels and consonants you can use as special characters.

The Compose key latches, that is to say that the key appears to do nothing on the initial press in a sequence but the second key press will create the chosen character.

So, using this arrangement and an English (UK) keyboard, I am able to produce French and German accented characters such as Compose key then e' in sequence to produce é or Compose key then 12 to produce ½. Compose key then u" will produce the German umlauted ü and so on.

Some characters however are available without the need for the Compose key such as (if keyboard so equipped) AltGr z or x pressed together to produce « and » respectively or AltGr4 for the € symbol.

There are many other combinations and all it takes is a little experimentation to find the ones you want/need.

ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
It's actually a lot simpler, like in the other answer.
24601 avatar
in flag
@ChanganAuto I'd disagree with that. Changing keyboard layouts for just this purpose may open a whole different crock of unwanted issues.
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
No, not really, and what issues are you thinking about? Windows by default enables the "dead keys" layout variant whenever the input or system language needs accentuated characters, Linux distros give users options but invariably users want "dead keys" anyway for their language.
24601 avatar
in flag
@ChanganAuto The `Compose` key is effectively a dead key.. that's the point. I don't use Windoze and the OP might not either. His question was "where to find the same system as he had before" and my answer addresses that. We will just have to agree to disagree. I have used the method described since v18.04 and in 20.04 so know it works well.
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
Indeed, but the tradition since typewriters were a thing is accent first followed by the letter. Choosing a "with dead keys" variant gives you that automatically. OTOH your method requires activating a special feature, changes the order any non-English speaker is used to type (and has been taught to do). Your method is fine for the occasional character and if you like it by all means... It is NOT what Spanish, French, Portuguese, etc. etc. expect.
ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
And yes, I understand you don't understand what I'm saying due to not being the target audience and we'll have to agree to disagree. My vote has been cast.
24601 avatar
in flag
It's a question of choices. The OP is in the happy position where there are two responses to his question and he can decide which applies best to meet his requirements. If he so wishes [accept](https://askubuntu.com/help/someone-answers) the appropriate one or act as he wishes.
Nastyhorsefork avatar
no flag
I got it wörking. :) Thanks a lot.
24601 avatar
in flag
@Nastyhorsefork Great! Which method worked for you?
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