Inhaltsverzeichnis
Use of the Arabic language and script in Labdoo project, setting up ubuntu laptop...1
Enabling Arabic support... 2
Keyboard layout switching... 5
Changing the text direction... 6
Linux programs with Arabic language support...6
Arabic language as a system wide set...8
Keyboard layout Arabic (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia):...9
Keyboard layout Arabic (Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrai, U.A.E, Yemen):... 9
Keyboard layout Urdu (Pakistan):...10
Keyboard layout Farsi (Iran):... 10
Keyboard layout Hindi (India):...11
Keyboard layout Russian (Russia):...11
Keyboard layout Tamil (India, Sri Lanka):...11
Keyboard layout Thai (Thailand):...12
This guideline explains how to install languages like Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Hindi, Russian, Thai and other languages - those which do not use the
„Latin“ letters and keyboards. Please change in the following text the word „arabic“ into the language you need – the procedure is the same...
Use of the Arabic language and script in Labdoo project, setting up ubuntu laptop
Ubuntu and many programs are working together with the complexity of Arabic script.
This guideline explains how the Arabic language support is enabled with Ubuntu on the new Unity desktop. When you using older versions of Ubuntu with Gnome2 desktop you can find instructions are in the archive. This guide is based on documents from the DAEC - German Egyptian Club, Düsseldorf (Germany) , with kind support of Mr Hani Andreas Ibrahim.
Enabling Arabic support
Using Unity click on the button for the system settings. When using the gnome-shell, you can reach the System Settings in the upper right-click on the username.
Click in the systems setting onto Keyboard Layout:
Click In the keyboard mapping dialog (in the gnome-shell on the tab "assignments") on the plus sign (+) below the left list box:
If you are using an Arabic keyboard layout follow this dialogue:
If the PC has a Arabic keyboard layout or Arabic keyboard stickers, choose "Arabic (digits)" or "Arabic". In the former, by using the keys of the keyboard panel (above the letter box) Hindi digits (٢٣) are shown. In the latter appear as Arabic numerals (123).
When you press the number keys on the numeric keypad (right next to the main keypad) in both cases always Arabic numerals are shown.
If only a German or English keyboard layout without Arab (or keyboard stickers) is available, can be set to "Arabic (qwerty / digits) 'and' Arabic (qwerty)”. Arabic letters are entered here transliteral. That is, an "a" is an "alif", "b" a "ba", etc.
In case of French or Belgian layout keyboard without arabic it makes sense to use the transliteralen "azerty" variant.
To check the wanted keyboard layout in advance, click on the button "Preview".
Press "Add" button ot complete the selection.
Optional: To easily switch between keyboard layouts using a key combination, that can be set in the "Options ..." dialogue.
Clicking on "key(s) to change layout" displays a selection of keyboard shortcuts that can be selected to switch several keyboard layouts. This step is optional and not mandatory, but improves typing comfort.
By clicking on "Close" this dialog is confirmed and completed. Thus, the activation of the Arabic language support is complete.
Keyboard layout switching
To switch between German and Arabic keyboard layout there is in the right upper corner of the screen in the notification area of the menu bar the symbol of the keyboard switch.
After clicking on the icon, the assignment will be selected from a list.
If a short cut was assigned, you can alternatively use it to switch.
Changing the text direction
To write in the correct direction for Arabic ("Right To Left") you have to switch it.Some programs offer appropriate buttons in the toolbar.
If no button is shown, this function can also be hidden in the context menu (right-click menu). Sometimes no button is needed or you can use the format command, "Right Align".
Linux programs with Arabic language support
Many pre-installed programs work very well with the Arabic language support for Linux.
Some can also change their user interface in Arabic, e.g. its user interface has been translated to Arabic. Many other compatible applications can be installed later very comfortable from the repositories of the distribution.
Here are just a few examples:
Office programs:
• OpenOffice/LibreOffice
• Softmaker Office (commercial) E-mail programs:
• Evolution (Personal Information Manager PIM, Outlook-Klon)
• Thunderbird (and BiDi extension) Internet-Browser and other viewers:
• all up-to-date browser
• all up-to-date PDF-Viewer graphical tools:
• Gimp
vector graphic- and illustration programs
• Inkscape
• OpenOffice/LibreOffice Draw
Arabic language as a system wide set
If Labdoo.org is aware that a specific laptop will by send (doo-tripped) to an Arabic speaking country Arabic language is usually pre-installed. How to set up and install later the Arabic language as a system wide language is described here:
Open n System Settings (system settings) the language (language support).
Open Language support and and click "Install / Remove Languages ...".
Select from the list of available languages the language(s) you need to download.
"Apply Changes" button (running changes) the download will take some time.
After the download you will find in the "Language Support" all available languages.
However, English is still the top priority. Now scroll in the list of languagestto the needed language. Mark the needed language with the left mouse button and keep the mouse button (!) pressed. Drag your needed language to the top position in the list of languages and let it go. Then click "Apply System-Wide".
If needed you can change units, number formats etc. for your country using "Regional Formats".
These changes become valid only after restarting the laptop or log out / log in!
Keyboard layout Arabic (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia):
Keyboard layout Arabic (Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrai, U.A.E, Yemen):
Keyboard layout Urdu (Pakistan):
Keyboard layout Farsi (Iran):
Keyboard layout Hindi (India):
Keyboard layout Russian (Russia):
Keyboard layout Tamil (India, Sri Lanka):
Keyboard layout Thai (Thailand):
