Optimize Your PC for German 2
German on Your Mac OS X Computer
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NOTE: If you need information for earlier versions of the Mac OS (8, 9), see Can Your PC Speak German?
Apple's Macintosh operating system has always been much more foreign-language friendly than Microsoft Windows. English users could always type German or other foreign characters easily using the "option +" shortcut, and that is still the case. But additional language support often depended on optional packages or third party software. Apple's Jaguar (OS X, v10.2) and later versions of the Mac OS X (10) operating system have taken multilingual support to an entirely new level, integrating many language elements that used to be optional or unavailable. English-language users can now put icons on the menu bar that allow them to switch between English and German (or other languages) with a single click.
Multilingual Support in Mac OS X
Right out of the box (or the computer), the Mac OS X bought in North America supports German, French, Japanese, Spanish, and several other languages. The original Mac OS X release supported seven languages, and Apple has since added updates for many more, all available as a free download from Apple. (See links below.)
Mac OS X - Jaguar
> Compare Prices on the latest OS X version.
You can set your English-language Mac to full-time German (or any other supported language), but most people will prefer to have the option of switching to German when they need to. The new Mac OS X makes this very easy. Below we outline some of the language options for the Mac.
The International Panel
If you want to, you can install the German localized version of Mac OS X on your computer. But for people who use English more than German, this may not be the way to go, especially if you aren't used to the German keyboard (or don't have a German keyboard). Luckily, Apple offers an easy way to switch between language and/or keyboard layouts.
To switch languages in the International panel:
1. Click on the System Preferences icon in the dock or under the Apple menu in the menu bar.
2. Click on the Language tab.
3. Select "Deutsch" and drag it to the position you wish (first, second, etc.).
4. Click on the Input Menu tab.
5. Select the German "flavor" you want (Austrian, German, Swiss German), each marked by a flag icon.
6. Click Options if you want to modify the keyboard or other settings.
7. When you're finished, close the System Preferences box.
NOTE: Changes take effect in the Finder on restart. Changes take effect in applications the next time you open them. If you choose more than one language under Input Menu, a small flag icon will appear on the top menu bar in the Finder. By clicking on the flag icon you can switch between languages and/or keyboard layout.
Once you have set your language preferences using the steps outlined above, you can easily switch between English and German, or any other languages you have selected, using the flag icon in the Finder. Be aware, however, that once you change languages, your normal US keyboard will be mapped for German, and it may be confusing for anyone not used to the German QWERTZ Tastatur. Although the language setting can be changed in the Finder's menu bar at any time, unless you are typing or working mostly in German, it is easier to just use the "option +" method to type German characters (ä, ß, ü) on the fly.
The Mac OS X Character Palette
How do you know which "option +" combination will produce which letter? After you get past the easy ones (option + u + a = ä), how do you discover the others? In Mac OS X you can use the Character Palette. To view the Character Palette you click on the "Edit" menu (in an application or in the Finder) and select "Special Characters." The Character Palette will appear. It not only shows the codes and letters, but also how they appear in various font styles. The Character Palette replaces the old Key Caps feature found in pre-OS X system versions. (For a photo and more information, see our Character Palette page.)
Date, Time, Numbers
In the International panel you can also click on the tabs for Date, Time, or Numbers to set your preferences. You can set the Mac OS to display dates in a European format (day, month, year), show time in a 24-hour format, or to use the euro symbol (€) and commas rather than decimals and dollars.
Office/Word (Mac)
Thanks to the German dictionary, thesaurus and grammar checker now included in the English version of Word for the Mac, you now can check a document in German or mixed English-and-German for grammar and spelling. But because Microsoft doesn't really automate the process very well, we have a how-to guide on Proofing German in Word. For Word:mac use this Mactopia link: Mactopia - Word:mac 2004
MORE > Proofing German in Word
MORE > The Mac OS X Character Palette
MORE > Windows XP
Related Links
Apple: Mac OS X
All about Leopard, Tiger, and the Mac OS X from Apple Computer.
Mactopia - Microsoft
Microsoft products for the Mac OS X platform - Office, Word, etc.