How can I type in Malayalam on Ubuntu 16.04?

Question

How can I type Malayalam in Ubuntu 16.04? I tried installing swanalekha using sudo apt-get install ibus-m17n m17n-contrib. I don't see an option for swanalekha in text entry.

Solution

First you need to install Malayalam language packs. To do that, go to System settings --> Language support --> Install / Remove Languages ...

Search for Malayalam and check the related box ☑

Then click on Apply. (NOTE : You need to have a working Internet connection for downloading related packages.)

After installing the language, go to System Settings-->"Text Entry" and click on + and search for related input methods.

And click on Add. After adding , press Super (Win) + Space to switch between installed input methods. You can type in Malayalam when input method is set to Malayalam ( Ml on right top of your screen )

Comments

[Gunnar Hjalmarsson]

You need to make sure that IBus is the selected input method in System Settings -> Language Support. You also need to relogin before the ibus-m17n entries are available in Text Entry.

[Frankicide]

The poster above me missed out on a small detail that catches a lot of folks. iBus. Here's the article I just found on making this work. I can't take credit for it, the author who wrote it is great... swanalekha.smc.org.in/#linux