Download Greek Unicode Keyboard Input for Mac: A Comprehensive Guide and more Exams English in PDF only on Docsity!
Greek Unicode Keyboard Input (Mac)
Learning to input Greek Unicode text is a valuable skill for every seminarian to learn. Using Unicode is faster and more efficient than individually selecting characters from the Character Map, and can often be more reliable than Copy/Paste. Using Unicode will ensure that the text you have entered contains actual Greek characters, and not just other symbols or letters in a font designed to look like Greek. In this way, your papers will always print correctly, and the characters will display properly on any computer. These instructions will get you started.
Enabling the Greek Keyboard
- Open the System Preferences under the Apple menu.
- In the new window that appears, select the Keyboard icon.
- In the following window, select “Input Sources” near the top-right.
- To add an input source, click the plus sign on the bottom left.
- Scroll to find Greek among the languages on the left, then select “Greek Polytonic” on the right. Then select “Add.”
- At this point, it is most helpful to select “Show input menu in menu bar.”
In this way, the selected input source will be apparent by the flag for the corresponding language.
Using a key combination to switch between languages is usually the quickest option, especially if your hands are already on the keyboard, although it may take some getting used to.
If using the key combination to switch between input languages, using this same key combination will cycle through all the available languages. If only Greek and English are enabled, using this key combination again will return the keyboard to English. If more languages are enable, each time the key sequences used, the keyboard will move to the next enable language. You may have also enabled the key combination to move to the previous language above. This will only make a difference if more than two languages are enabled.
- You may also select your desired input language by clicking the flag symbol in the menu bar and selecting the desired language.
Although this method is not always as quick as using the hot key, it is simple, and may be easiest for selecting the specific language desired when more languages are enabled than just Greek and English.
Typing in Greek
The Greek keyboard is similar to the English keyboard. Most letters correspond to the English letter which makes the same sound. For example, λ is the same key as L, and μ is the same key as M. Some letters have no corresponding English letter and must be learned. For example, ξ uses the J key and ψ uses the C key.
The most unexpected key is Upsilon which is not the U key but the Y key. This is the most common mistake when inputting Greek text. Also note that Omega uses the V key since Omicron uses the O key. The final sigma, ς, uses the W key (right above the S key).
Punctuation
The period and comma are the same as the English keyboard.
The raised dot (·) is made by pressing Option+
The question mark (;) is made by pressing the Q key.
Accents and Breathing Marks
In order to insert a vowel with any type of accent or breathing mark, you must first input the key sequence for the desired accent followed by the desired vowel. For example, ά is input by pressing the ; key and then pressing the A key.
Accent Key Acute (ά) ;^ (semicolon) Grave (ὰ) ] (right bracket) Circumflex (ᾶ) [ (left bracket)
The easiest way to remember breathing marks is that the English Keyboard key used for each type resembles the accompanying accent.
Breathing Mark Key Smooth (ἀ) ’ (apostrophe) Smooth + Acute (ἄ) / (forward slash) Smooth + Grave (ἂ) ^ (backslash) Smooth + Circumflex (ἆ) = (equal sign)
To insert a rough breathing mark use Shift+ the above listed key for the desired breathing mark. For example, a rough breathing mark + grave accent (ἃ) is inserted by Shift+\ followed by the desired vowel.
Iota Subscript
The iota subscript (ᾳ) when it is not combined with an accent or breathing mark is inserted by pressing Shift+[ followed by the desired vowel.
The iota subscript may also be combined with any of the above vowels and breathing marks by inserting the iota subscript with Shift+[ followed by the above listed key for the desired accent or breathing mark. This includes holding Shift for rough breathing marks. For example, a rough breathing mark + grave accent with an iota subscript (ᾃ) is inserted by entering Shift+[ followed by Shift+\ followed by the desired vowel.
