Since the beginning of the times I’ve been unable to type the opening quotation mark. I mean the single opening quotation mark used in Japanese: (「 )
However, I can type the single closing quotation mark ( 」) as well as many other marks and symbols used in Japanese.
I’ve been copy&pasting this symbol all this time but lately I feel it’s time to address this issue. I did some search but I couldn’t find a solution. So I thought maybe you can help…
As you can see, my Romaji Layout is Spanish - ISO but switched to ABC, Querty and other layouts and that made no difference.
Also, I don’t switch languages. I only use Japanese as my sole input method and switch from Romaji to Hiragana and viceversa. I have a shortcut configured to simply switch the layout by alt + UP or alt + DOWN which is very convenient and useful.
The thing is that when I try to type 「 using my keyboard I use the keys alt + [ but the result is: ［
I realize this isn’t going to be helpful, but are there not just bracket keys on Macs? I don’t see why this would be an issue at all from the perspective of my PC keyboard.
I have a Macbook Pro with JP layout, input works with [=「, the key is to the left of the big Enter key on the right. If the key labeled [ on your keyboard doesn’t work maybe that key (with other label) does something.
Are you typing with the Romaji input or the Hiragana input selected? I’m using Sierra too, and I can’t get it when I’ve selected Romaji, but when I type [ or ] with Hiragana selected I can get 「 or 」
I already tried all keys and combinations but the key for [ is supposed to be the one but it doesn’t work as expected unlike the key for ] which is printing the *japanese single closing quotation mark" as expected.
I’m typing with the Hiragana input selected but the Hiragana input offers me a great variety of full-width for the western opening bracket symbol. I’m also trying to type 」with ] and I used several different common layouts to make sure it isn’t a thing related to my Spanish - ISO layout for Romaji.
Not sure why that list of options window is popping up at all, it doesn’t for me. Are you hitting alt or something to make it come up? I just type [ and 「 appears, no window or anything. Romaji layout = U.S. btw
If nothing else works, you can do what I did below and force your computer to always autocorrect some combo like [* to 「
The list of option shows up because I press spacebar just to demonstrate that 「 isn’t on the list. I used a lot “the list of options” to pick the right word written with the right kanji when writing in Japanese. It’s common thing to do, isn’t it?
Your workaround is nice! I’ll try that if I doesn’t fix this issue. Thank you!
Not gonna lie, I haven’t actually typed anything in japanese in months and I totally forgot that you could bring that list up with space. Wow. Anyway, here’s what I get:
What type of keyboard is actually on your computer? I think the fact that you are using only the Japanese input for both Japanese and non Japanese (I assume both Spanish and English) is what is messing you up. When I changed my settings to exactly what you have setup I also could not type the opening quote character like I normally would, so its definitely your settings.
Here are some suggestions to try:
First, use the appropriate input method for the language you are typing in. Your computer actually uses separate dictionaries for the language of the keyboard you are using. This is why you see multiple keyboard layouts for the same language even though that might not be the default for that country. Using romaji to type in non-Japanese languages messes with what your computer assumes you’re going to be doing. You will still be able to use your alt + up and alt + down shortcuts to switch between languages exactly the same way as you can now. (assuming you set them as “Select the previous input source” and “Select next source in Input menu” in your keyboard shortcuts)
Turn off romaji input. The only option I have selected in my Japanese keyboard is hiragana. Chances are if you want to type in romaji, you aren’t writing just a single word in Japanese, so it’s better to use a different input. Use the Spanish keyboard for writing in Spanish, the flavor of English you prefer for writing in English. You’ll get many benefits unrelated to they keyboard layout.
For “romaji layout”, choose whatever matches the physical keyboard on your computer to make things simple.
To type an opening quote, press just the [ key, without alt/option. I think this is what is throwing you off. I see that on the Spanish ISO, you can’t actually type a [ without using option, but it might be bypassing the IME and typing just that character. Are you using alt + [ because it shows up as a backtick ` otherwise? That’s what happened to me when I switched to Spanish - ISO, like you have, for my romaji input. If that’s the case you’ll probably need a different binding for the opening square bracket key.
Finally, have you tried resetting the custom dictionary for your keyboard? At the bottom of the Input Sources menu the option is “Conversion Learning: Reset…” try that out. It should reset any learning your keyboard has done, and put it back to the default dictionary. I don’t know if typing in Romaji input mode in other languages can influence this dictionary, but it might happen.
Thanks a lot! I feel super relieved after reading your explanation. I understand what you mean by using the appropriate input method along with the keyboard I’m typing in. Also, thank you for taking some time to change your settings to my setup.
I did exactly what you suggest but unfortunately the problem persists. My keyboard is Spanish - ISO and from now on I’m using the Spanish - ISO (Spanish) input source instead of Romaji (Japanese) for typing in Spanish. I also added Japanese and the only input mode activated is Hiragana. The shift key action is for Katakana and the typing method is Romaji.
