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French Home Related Links Sample Student Work Newspapers  How to do Diacritical Marks |
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 How to do Diacritical Marks
The French language utilizes several diacritical marks that are often not familiar to English speakers. Though operating systems and word processors may vary, there are several standard ways to produce these diacritical marks on most computers:
THE TRADITIONAL WAY (The French Keyboard) It is possible when using Microsoft Windows as your operating system to change the keyboard configuration. Logically, in North America the standard computer keyboard comes defaulted to a layout called "English (United States)." Different languages clearly have different needs (i.e., characters, diacritical marks, etc.) and consequently place different emphasis on the layout of their respective keyboards. Microsoft allows users of its Windows operating system(s) to install multiple keyboard layouts to accommodate the global plethora of international customs and preferences. The "Keyboard Properties" within Microsoft Windows can be found from the "Start" menu under "Settings" followed by "Control Panel." Selecting the "Language" tab will allow the user to "Add" additional keyboard languages and layouts. Because of the many French-speaking countries, there are naturally many different French keyboard layout options. The most commonly accepted French keyboard layout is called "French (Standard)" (Fig.1). Once the desired keyboard language and layout have been added, you are encouraged to check the box at the bottom of the "Keyboard Properties" screen to enable indicator on the taskbar (Fig.2). Enabling the indicator on the taskbar will create a small icon box in the lower right of the screen that will allow the user to easily access/select the desired keyboard. "En", or English (United States) should be the default keyboard. "Fr", or French (Standard) should now be an option available for selection (Fig.3).
While this method for making diacritical marks is certainly the most culturally authentic, it can be quite confusing, since many English (United States) key locations are replaced with other French (Standard) key locations. For this reason, most students will adopt the second method of creating French diacritical marks: Using Shortcut Keys.
This is a very archane system. There are two important things to remember when using this out-dated system: 1) when typing in the numbers, some keyboards require the use of the "numeric keypad" located to the side, rather than the numbers along the top; 2) on some keyboards, only one of the two Alt keys will work.
Many students first learn how to "insert" French diacritical marks by this method. While effective, it is also the culturally least authentic. Nonetheless, most word processors have tool bars along the top of the screen, one of which is "Insert." Open the "Insert" tool bar and select "Symbol..." (Fig.1). A palette of symbols and special characters will appear. Select the font of preference -- generally Times New Roman or Ariel for compositions -- and click on the desired character (Fig. 2).
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