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Madhav Nikam
Asked: 2015-06-07 09:46:46 +0800 CST

Does Ubuntu have any input tools for typing in Indian languages?

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In Windows we have Microsoft Indic Tool and Google Input Tool for typing. In Ubuntu we can use Google input tool in browsers only. Does Ubuntu have any Ubuntu Indic or Input Tool for typing?

If yes, how can I install it?

Notes
I know Linux has many input methods and keyboard layout for various ways of typing.

Here I am asking about the names of software which is helpful for typing and prompts the user with appropriate or dictionary words.

What's wrong with general keyboard?

Answer: There's nothing wrong with it but Input Tools are awesome and very helpful.

Here are some links for clarification:

I've already read the following posts:

input-language

3 Answers

  1. The tool that worked well for me is GXLiterate- A Google Transliteration Service based transliterator for OpenOffice.org for Indic Languages.

    It's a libre office extension, but serves the purpose.

    Cons: it does not provide an option to choose between transliteration suggestions, it directly translates to the language selected, sometimes with wrong translation but, most of the time, accurate transliteration.

    I am enjoying the same in LibreOffice writer. It solved my problem, however it would be better if there were some shortcut to disable and enable the same.

    I also tried XlitHindi, which was developed by CADD, but unfortunately it didn't work on LibreOffice 5; it opened but LibreOffice froze, so I uninstalled the extension and started using Gxliterate, which is working pretty well for me.

    Editor's Note: This answer is Kanhiya's.

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  2. I am using CentOS with xfce now, but I think Ubuntu has the same package and properties.

    1. First add Indian keyboard layout to your keyboard properties and ensure that appropriate fonts are installed.

    2. Install package florence:

      $ sudo apt-get install florence

    3. Run this command so you can choose your keyboard layout (both virtual and real):

      $ florence

    Keyboard screenshot:

    keyboard screenshot

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  3. To have autocomplete support in LibreOffice, you have to install the dictionary extension for your native language, for instance here is the Tamil Dictionary extension project for Libreoffice and OpenOffice extensions are also compatible if you have any of that kind for your localization support and after setting up your native dictionary, just hit space while typing to auto-correct if it says the word spelling is wrong . And there are also dictionaries as web browser addons to have language support for web, specially for Mozilla Firefox.

    There is an m17n-project which helps in adding support for new input methods if not available in the mainstream. You can look for your native language support on ibus-m17n and if the method you want is available there, then you just have to install ibus-m17n package by running this command:

    sudo apt install ibus-m17n

    and then choosing your preferred ibus input method after starting the ibus-engine. Choose what suits you.

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