Comments on: How to make your computer multilingual http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-11489 Benny the Irish polyglot Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:55:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-11489 Great job! Great job!

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-11490 Benny the Irish polyglot Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:55:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-11490 Great job! Great job!

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5766 Benny the Irish polyglot Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:09:03 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5766 Thanks for the information!! Thanks for the information!!

]]> By: Warp3 http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5532 Warp3 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:07:47 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5532 FYI: The language change is simple in the Opera web browser as well. In the Preferences window, under the General tab, is a language pulldown with a huge list of languages. You can also click the Details button beside the pulldown for extra control (like choosing one language for the Opera UI and a different one for the default web page language). FYI: The language change is simple in the Opera web browser as well. In the Preferences window, under the General tab, is a language pulldown with a huge list of languages. You can also click the Details button beside the pulldown for extra control (like choosing one language for the Opera UI and a different one for the default web page language).

]]> By: Street Smart Brazil http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5295 Street Smart Brazil Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:07:25 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5295 Hi Benny,<br>I thought this might help Portuguese learners: <br><a href="http://streetsmartbrazil.com/blog/20091223/how-set-your-keyboard-type-portuguese" rel="nofollow">http://streetsmartbrazil.com/blog/20091223/how-...</a> Hi Benny,
I thought this might help Portuguese learners:
http://streetsmartbrazil.com/blog/20091223/how-…

]]> By: Eldon http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5177 Eldon Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:19:19 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5177 Yup, using Chinese Traditional Ubuntu right now :) it's actually a really big deal, because I kinda know <em>what</em> all the words mean, it's just a case of learning <em>how</em> to say them. Learned a lot of computer-related vocab from it. Yup, using Chinese Traditional Ubuntu right now :) it's actually a really big deal, because I kinda know what all the words mean, it's just a case of learning how to say them. Learned a lot of computer-related vocab from it.

]]> By: Fast Jay http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5157 Fast Jay Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:59:54 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5157 Hey, yeah, euroglot is a bit of a translation tool, but you can use it to look up individual words, and also conjugations of verbs etc. I'll try getting it to work under wine.<br><br>So far it's going perfectly, the switch to Linux Mint, like you said, it comes with a lot of stuff pre-installed so the average user doesn't really have to do anything. I can also access my "windows-files" perfectly. Y sí, ya está todo en español. Hey, yeah, euroglot is a bit of a translation tool, but you can use it to look up individual words, and also conjugations of verbs etc. I'll try getting it to work under wine.

So far it's going perfectly, the switch to Linux Mint, like you said, it comes with a lot of stuff pre-installed so the average user doesn't really have to do anything. I can also access my “windows-files” perfectly. Y sí, ya está todo en español.

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5070 Benny the Irish polyglot Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:54:14 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5070 Congratulations on making the move!! :)<br>I hear good things about Linux Mint, and would definitely recommend it over Ubuntu for beginners, even for the simplicity of not having to go to through the extra steps of implementing different repositories and installing applications and plugins like flash that really are necessary. Since my system is set up already however, I see no need to change for the moment!<br>If by "word translating program" you mean CAT tool, the best one by far is Omega T. It works fine on Linux. I don't know what Euroglot is (if it isn't in wikipedia, it's officially off my radar!) If you mean something else, like a dictionary, you'd have to be more specific, but I'm sure you will find something!<br>Rather than google just for "Linux" applications, look for Adobe AIR & Java, and also try out Windows applications through WINE. Most simple ones work fine (video or resource hungry ones are different though).<br>Glad you appreciated my advice!! I hope your system is ini Spanish already ;) Congratulations on making the move!! :)
I hear good things about Linux Mint, and would definitely recommend it over Ubuntu for beginners, even for the simplicity of not having to go to through the extra steps of implementing different repositories and installing applications and plugins like flash that really are necessary. Since my system is set up already however, I see no need to change for the moment!
If by “word translating program” you mean CAT tool, the best one by far is Omega T. It works fine on Linux. I don't know what Euroglot is (if it isn't in wikipedia, it's officially off my radar!) If you mean something else, like a dictionary, you'd have to be more specific, but I'm sure you will find something!
Rather than google just for “Linux” applications, look for Adobe AIR & Java, and also try out Windows applications through WINE. Most simple ones work fine (video or resource hungry ones are different though).
Glad you appreciated my advice!! I hope your system is ini Spanish already ;)

]]> By: Fast Jay http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-5067 Fast Jay Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:13:50 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-5067 Hey Benny,<br> <br>I followed your advice and i'm now trying out Linux Mint. It's a bit of a clone of Ubuntu, but supposedly more user-friendly (and it's Irish!). It's working great, plus a lot of software came pre-installed. Tip: to backup and synchronise my bookmarks between windows/linux i use Xmarks (addon for firefox).<br>What i'm wondering: do you use a word-translating program (eg. on windows i use Euroglot) on Linux? I've been looking a bit, but can't find an alternative.<br><br>Cheers,<br>Jay Hey Benny,

I followed your advice and i'm now trying out Linux Mint. It's a bit of a clone of Ubuntu, but supposedly more user-friendly (and it's Irish!). It's working great, plus a lot of software came pre-installed. Tip: to backup and synchronise my bookmarks between windows/linux i use Xmarks (addon for firefox).
What i'm wondering: do you use a word-translating program (eg. on windows i use Euroglot) on Linux? I've been looking a bit, but can't find an alternative.

Cheers,
Jay

]]> By: Fast Jay http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-4918 Fast Jay Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:30:20 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-4918 Great ideas. <br><br>Installing Ubuntu and changing my "computer language" are two things on my checklist that i've been delaying for some time now. As an ICT-engineer who is planning on moving to mexico i should get started on both asap Great ideas.

Installing Ubuntu and changing my “computer language” are two things on my checklist that i've been delaying for some time now. As an ICT-engineer who is planning on moving to mexico i should get started on both asap

]]> By: Carine http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-3608 Carine Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:19:13 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-3608 I am late to reply but I hadn't come on your blog lately, great post as always. That decided me to (try to) switch my computer to italian (my next language challenge !), but Quick locale switcher doesn't seem to work on my PC, too bad :-(<br><br>Anyway that might also be the push I needed to break up with this horrible Vista and join the Ubuntu community (if it takes me only one hour I'll be glad !).<br><br>Ciao ! I am late to reply but I hadn't come on your blog lately, great post as always. That decided me to (try to) switch my computer to italian (my next language challenge !), but Quick locale switcher doesn't seem to work on my PC, too bad :-(

Anyway that might also be the push I needed to break up with this horrible Vista and join the Ubuntu community (if it takes me only one hour I'll be glad !).

Ciao !

]]> By: balint http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-3352 balint Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:17:57 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-3352 Just like Benny, I disagree with your disagreement. This emulated environment helps to accumulate more of the language in a certain field (now, computers). It is really useful for those, as you mentioned too, who are 100% familiar with their software. For example, in my case, if I wanted to go to Spain to work in my field (programming), I'd have a big advantage over those who also come from another country, experts, but doesn't know anything languagewise in the given field. As Khatzumoto (alljapaneseallthetime.com/) put it: don't learn the language just because you want to use, say Japanese interface (on your computer), but use the environment to teach you the language! Seems rational to me. Maybe he put it better, anyway :D .-= balint´s last blog ..<a href="http://otevotnyelv.blog.hu/2009/10/24/hogy_ne_felejtsunk_el_a_megtanultakat_i_resz" rel="nofollow">Hogy ne felejtsünk el a megtanultakat - I. rész</a> =-. Just like Benny, I disagree with your disagreement. This emulated environment helps to accumulate more of the language in a certain field (now, computers). It is really useful for those, as you mentioned too, who are 100% familiar with their software. For example, in my case, if I wanted to go to Spain to work in my field (programming), I’d have a big advantage over those who also come from another country, experts, but doesn’t know anything languagewise in the given field.
As Khatzumoto (alljapaneseallthetime.com/) put it: don’t learn the language just because you want to use, say Japanese interface (on your computer), but use the environment to teach you the language! Seems rational to me. Maybe he put it better, anyway :D
.-= balint´s last blog ..Hogy ne felejtsünk el a megtanultakat – I. rész =-.

]]> By: balint http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-8130 balint Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:17:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-8130 Just like Benny, I disagree with your disagreement. This emulated environment helps to accumulate more of the language in a certain field (now, computers). It is really useful for those, as you mentioned too, who are 100% familiar with their software. For example, in my case, if I wanted to go to Spain to work in my field (programming), I'd have a big advantage over those who also come from another country, experts, but doesn't know anything languagewise in the given field. As Khatzumoto (alljapaneseallthetime.com/) put it: don't learn the language just because you want to use, say Japanese interface (on your computer), but use the environment to teach you the language! Seems rational to me. Maybe he put it better, anyway :D .-= balint´s last blog ..<a href="http://otevotnyelv.blog.hu/2009/10/24/hogy_ne_felejtsunk_el_a_megtanultakat_i_resz" rel="nofollow">Hogy ne felejtsünk el a megtanultakat - I. rész</a> =-. Just like Benny, I disagree with your disagreement. This emulated environment helps to accumulate more of the language in a certain field (now, computers). It is really useful for those, as you mentioned too, who are 100% familiar with their software. For example, in my case, if I wanted to go to Spain to work in my field (programming), I’d have a big advantage over those who also come from another country, experts, but doesn’t know anything languagewise in the given field.
As Khatzumoto (alljapaneseallthetime.com/) put it: don’t learn the language just because you want to use, say Japanese interface (on your computer), but use the environment to teach you the language! Seems rational to me. Maybe he put it better, anyway :D
.-= balint´s last blog ..Hogy ne felejtsünk el a megtanultakat – I. rész =-.

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-3343 benny Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:50:53 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-3343 Cainntear, I'm not that surprised. You generally disagree with every post you've ever commented on :P I disagree with your disagreement. This isn't about pronunciation or grammatically correct sentences. It's about vocabulary and a feeling of virtual immersion. Beginners are just as entitled to that as experts. If they feel they aren't ready to see the interface in the language, then they can go back (the plugin and Ubuntu options I discussed here have flag icons that are easy to find for changing the language). I don't see why some people cling on so much to their boring and strict way of learning languages that you "must" learn all the grammar, all the phonetics, have a great command over the language etc. before doing something like this, or even trying to communicate. It's fun to see a program you are used to in another language, and it can be extremely useful too in encouraging people to start viewing the language as alive and not confined to grammar classrooms. This blog has the subtitle "unconventional language learning tips", that have worked well for me and that others have commented positively on too. To be frank Cainntear, I think you are too conventional and will just keep disagreeing with my tips. This blog isn't for people who love the age-old classroom drill. I don't mind a logical explanation of why I might be wrong in something that I write, but could you at least bring something positive to the table for once? Just telling me that I'm wrong because you think I am isn't why I enabled commenting on this site. There's no room for discussion. Can I just presume that you disagree with most things I say from now on? If you have anything other than "I disagree because you're wrong" to say, then feel free to comment. Otherwise please don't ;) Cainntear, I’m not that surprised. You generally disagree with every post you’ve ever commented on :P
I disagree with your disagreement. This isn’t about pronunciation or grammatically correct sentences. It’s about vocabulary and a feeling of virtual immersion. Beginners are just as entitled to that as experts. If they feel they aren’t ready to see the interface in the language, then they can go back (the plugin and Ubuntu options I discussed here have flag icons that are easy to find for changing the language).
I don’t see why some people cling on so much to their boring and strict way of learning languages that you “must” learn all the grammar, all the phonetics, have a great command over the language etc. before doing something like this, or even trying to communicate.
It’s fun to see a program you are used to in another language, and it can be extremely useful too in encouraging people to start viewing the language as alive and not confined to grammar classrooms.
This blog has the subtitle “unconventional language learning tips”, that have worked well for me and that others have commented positively on too. To be frank Cainntear, I think you are too conventional and will just keep disagreeing with my tips. This blog isn’t for people who love the age-old classroom drill.
I don’t mind a logical explanation of why I might be wrong in something that I write, but could you at least bring something positive to the table for once? Just telling me that I’m wrong because you think I am isn’t why I enabled commenting on this site. There’s no room for discussion.
Can I just presume that you disagree with most things I say from now on? If you have anything other than “I disagree because you’re wrong” to say, then feel free to comment. Otherwise please don’t ;)

]]> By: benny http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-8129 benny Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:50:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-8129 Cainntear, I'm not that surprised. You generally disagree with every post you've ever commented on :P I disagree with your disagreement. This isn't about pronunciation or grammatically correct sentences. It's about vocabulary and a feeling of virtual immersion. Beginners are just as entitled to that as experts. If they feel they aren't ready to see the interface in the language, then they can go back (the plugin and Ubuntu options I discussed here have flag icons that are easy to find for changing the language). I don't see why some people cling on so much to their boring and strict way of learning languages that you "must" learn all the grammar, all the phonetics, have a great command over the language etc. before doing something like this, or even trying to communicate. It's fun to see a program you are used to in another language, and it can be extremely useful too in encouraging people to start viewing the language as alive and not confined to grammar classrooms. This blog has the subtitle "unconventional language learning tips", that have worked well for me and that others have commented positively on too. To be frank Cainntear, I think you are too conventional and will just keep disagreeing with my tips. This blog isn't for people who love the age-old classroom drill. I don't mind a logical explanation of why I might be wrong in something that I write, but could you at least bring something positive to the table for once? Just telling me that I'm wrong because you think I am isn't why I enabled commenting on this site. There's no room for discussion. Can I just presume that you disagree with most things I say from now on? If you have anything other than "I disagree because you're wrong" to say, then feel free to comment. Otherwise please don't ;) Cainntear, I’m not that surprised. You generally disagree with every post you’ve ever commented on :P
I disagree with your disagreement. This isn’t about pronunciation or grammatically correct sentences. It’s about vocabulary and a feeling of virtual immersion. Beginners are just as entitled to that as experts. If they feel they aren’t ready to see the interface in the language, then they can go back (the plugin and Ubuntu options I discussed here have flag icons that are easy to find for changing the language).
I don’t see why some people cling on so much to their boring and strict way of learning languages that you “must” learn all the grammar, all the phonetics, have a great command over the language etc. before doing something like this, or even trying to communicate.
It’s fun to see a program you are used to in another language, and it can be extremely useful too in encouraging people to start viewing the language as alive and not confined to grammar classrooms.
This blog has the subtitle “unconventional language learning tips”, that have worked well for me and that others have commented positively on too. To be frank Cainntear, I think you are too conventional and will just keep disagreeing with my tips. This blog isn’t for people who love the age-old classroom drill.
I don’t mind a logical explanation of why I might be wrong in something that I write, but could you at least bring something positive to the table for once? Just telling me that I’m wrong because you think I am isn’t why I enabled commenting on this site. There’s no room for discussion.
Can I just presume that you disagree with most things I say from now on? If you have anything other than “I disagree because you’re wrong” to say, then feel free to comment. Otherwise please don’t ;)

]]> By: Cainntear http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-3341 Cainntear Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:08:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-3341 I disagree with the idea that this is any use when your language skills are still weak. the vocabulary of computer menus is quite esoteric and there aren't many grammatically complete sentences to learn from. Furthermore, if you're not used to the sound system, you start to read in a non-native accent and get the words wrong. Finally, it's easily to feel lost in a menu system that doesn't make much sense. Maybe it's good for the advanced learner or those who are 100% familiar with their software, but I find it a rather disappointing prospect at the beginner or intermediate stage. I disagree with the idea that this is any use when your language skills are still weak.

the vocabulary of computer menus is quite esoteric and there aren’t many grammatically complete sentences to learn from.

Furthermore, if you’re not used to the sound system, you start to read in a non-native accent and get the words wrong.

Finally, it’s easily to feel lost in a menu system that doesn’t make much sense.

Maybe it’s good for the advanced learner or those who are 100% familiar with their software, but I find it a rather disappointing prospect at the beginner or intermediate stage.

]]> By: Cainntear http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-8128 Cainntear Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:08:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-8128 I disagree with the idea that this is any use when your language skills are still weak. the vocabulary of computer menus is quite esoteric and there aren't many grammatically complete sentences to learn from. Furthermore, if you're not used to the sound system, you start to read in a non-native accent and get the words wrong. Finally, it's easily to feel lost in a menu system that doesn't make much sense. Maybe it's good for the advanced learner or those who are 100% familiar with their software, but I find it a rather disappointing prospect at the beginner or intermediate stage. I disagree with the idea that this is any use when your language skills are still weak.

the vocabulary of computer menus is quite esoteric and there aren’t many grammatically complete sentences to learn from.

Furthermore, if you’re not used to the sound system, you start to read in a non-native accent and get the words wrong.

Finally, it’s easily to feel lost in a menu system that doesn’t make much sense.

Maybe it’s good for the advanced learner or those who are 100% familiar with their software, but I find it a rather disappointing prospect at the beginner or intermediate stage.

]]> By: SplogSplog http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-3336 SplogSplog Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:16 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-3336 Hi Benny. After following the more complex set of steps you listed, I was able to install language packs for french and czech. On a hunch, I was then able to follow your original advice and install the locale switcher and it now works just fine. So, it seems you need the language packs installed first for all the languages you expect to be switching between. Anyway, now it is working nicely - so thanks for the advice! Hi Benny. After following the more complex set of steps you listed, I was able to install language packs for french and czech. On a hunch, I was then able to follow your original advice and install the locale switcher and it now works just fine. So, it seems you need the language packs installed first for all the languages you expect to be switching between. Anyway, now it is working nicely – so thanks for the advice!

]]> By: SplogSplog http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-8127 SplogSplog Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-8127 Hi Benny. After following the more complex set of steps you listed, I was able to install language packs for french and czech. On a hunch, I was then able to follow your original advice and install the locale switcher and it now works just fine. So, it seems you need the language packs installed first for all the languages you expect to be switching between. Anyway, now it is working nicely - so thanks for the advice! Hi Benny. After following the more complex set of steps you listed, I was able to install language packs for french and czech. On a hunch, I was then able to follow your original advice and install the locale switcher and it now works just fine. So, it seems you need the language packs installed first for all the languages you expect to be switching between. Anyway, now it is working nicely – so thanks for the advice!

]]> By: Russell http://www.fluentin3months.com/multilingual-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-3313 Russell Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:51:06 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=805#comment-3313 This is a very interesting post. I can definitely relate this to when I use computers in a different country, for example in Czech it is easy to remember kopirovat (copy), vypnout (shut down) and srdce (hearts) because they would be in the same place but a different word. I didn't know it was so simple to change the browser settings either, when using the internet so thank you for sharing this and thank you for the post ;) This is a very interesting post. I can definitely relate this to when I use computers in a different country, for example in Czech it is easy to remember kopirovat (copy), vypnout (shut down) and srdce (hearts) because they would be in the same place but a different word.

I didn’t know it was so simple to change the browser settings either, when using the internet so thank you for sharing this and thank you for the post ;)

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