our blog

If Switching Languages Makes You Mad

If Switching Languages Makes You Mad - 1

It doesn’t have to be like that

Most people working on a computer with only two languages switch them with the help of the Ctrl + Shift key combination and have no problems with that (we are talking about Windows). It may become even easier with Punto Switcher.

But as soon as there are more than two languages in the system, the number of nervous key hits and stifled moans while trying to finally get the needed language increases dramatically. It is particularly painful when you have typed the whole line only to find that it is nothing but complete nonsense, and you need to type the whole text from the beginning. Punto Switcher is of little help here: it gets surprised whenever told there are other languages in the world apart from English and Russian.

* * *

With a small effort, you can solve this problem once and for all. The method is very simple: you just need to disable language switching with the Ctrl + Shift command and turn on direct shortcuts for each language instead. The easiest way is below:

  • Alt + Shift + 1—English
  • Alt + Shift + 2—your second language
  • Alt + Shift + 3—your third language
  • Alt + Shift + 4—your fourth language
  • and so on

Pros:

  • The wrong layout issue will disappear. In a week, you will make a startling discovery that in a mysterious way the right language switches by itself when needed.
  • Alt + Shift + digit combinations are HANDY—they can be pressed with one HAND.
  • You won’t need the language indicator on the taskbar anymore: you will stop checking it regularly.

Cons:

  • You will have to suffer for a few days until your brain remembers the new commands.
  • If someone else is using your computer, they may go crazy.
  • If you will need to use someone else’s computer, you may go crazy.

How to enable direct shortcuts in Windows 10:

Start > Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region > Language on the right > Advanced settings on the left > Change language bar hot keys > Set everything and select OK many times.

Recommended content

If Switching Languages Makes You Mad - 2

Two stories about ChatGPT

Interesting facts about AI In early April 2024, artificial intelligence expert Jeremy Nguyen shared a thing he noticed: for some reason, the unremarkable word delve was used unexpectedly often in the texts generated by ChatGPT. So much often that Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator and noted IT evangelist, considers the presence of this word […]
If Switching Languages Makes You Mad - 3

File Formats That Compress Well in ZIP Archives

Useful information about file formats As we already know, there is little point in archiving certain file formats because they do not compress well. On the other hand, some formats compress very efficiently: Files that store plain text, including TXT and CSV. Older Microsoft Office formats whose extensions do not end in X: Subtitle files, such […]
If Switching Languages Makes You Mad - 4

How to fix the «Failed to load project from …» error in Trados Studio

About another error in Trados Studio Let’s analyze the Trados Studio error: Failed to load project from … There is an error in XML document (X, Y). Unexpected end of file has occurred. Unexpected end of file while parsing Name has occurred. The error is caused by a violation of the structure of the SDLPROJ […]
If Switching Languages Makes You Mad - 5

A Few Abbreviations Every Technical Translator Should Know

Useful information for technical translators Here is are a few abbreviations you will encounter regularly if you work in technical translation:  
If Switching Languages Makes You Mad - 6

How to Prevent Data Loss If Your CAT Tool Crashes

Useful tips about working with CATs If your CAT tool crashes and there is a risk of losing the completed portion of your translation, the first priority is to preserve the work you have already done. Only after securing the data should you attempt to fix the issue. Otherwise, you may have to redo the […]