An Android device can help you learn a new language. You may need to install a new software keyboard if the language has a different alphabet, or uses accents not found in your primary language.
Google's standard Gboard keyboard has a variety of language-related keys. At last count, there were over 500 languages and 40 writing systems. You're likely to have US English already installed if you already have Gboard installed in the US. It is easy to add a few keyboards to quickly switch between languages. Here's how to install one or more languages and how to use them. This was done with an Android 12 and Pixel 3 phones. Your interface might be different.
You first need to go to the Languages page.
You can open chat or email and tap on the area you want to type to bring up the keyboard.
Tap the settings icon (the one that looks similar to a gear) located just above your keyboard. To bring up the toolbar, click the arrow to the left above the keyboard.
Choose Languages
You can also access the page via your Android device's main settings menu. You can access the settings menu:
Select System
Select Languages & input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard > Languages.
You can add a language once you have reached the Languages page.
Click on the Add keyboard button at the bottom.
Scroll down to the language you wish to add, and then tap it. It's a long list so it might be easier to save time by clicking the search icon at the top of the screen. You might have seen the language-learning app or another language-related app you are looking for recently.
You may be able choose from several keyboards depending on your language. You may have the option to choose from a QWERTY keyboard or Dvorak keyboard or even set handwriting options. You can swipe to see other suggestions, although the most likely one will be the first. The Multilingual typing option, located on the same page as Language settings, allows you to choose from multiple languages for word suggestions while you type. It depends on the language you are adding.
Once you're done, click the Done button. The Languages page will bring you back. Here, the new language will be listed. To leave the page, tap the left arrow in the upper left corner.
The keyboard language name will now be displayed on the space bar. Multilingual typing will show abbreviations for both the language names. A globe icon will be added to the keyboard's left side instead of the emoji symbol. The emoji icon is now accessible by long pressing the comma key.
Tap on the globe to switch keyboards. Your keyboard will then change to the next line. Long press the spacebar to select the language that you wish from the pop up menu.
You can remove a language from the list if you are no longer using it.
To access the Change keyboard menu, long press the spacebar.
Click on Language Settings.
To remove the language that you don't need anymore, swipe to the left.
Updated October 1, 2021 at 4:45 PM ET: This article was originally published January 3, 2020. It has been updated to reflect the latest changes in Android OS.
