How to change the input source to different language with shortcut (only one key combination)?

Question

I want to use four language in my OS X system (English, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese), and I know I can change the language with ⌘ + Space. However, I have a pathological hatred for switching with it, because it requires me to select from so, so many choices! I also know I can change it from the menubar on the right of the bar, but it's much more disgusting than the ⌘ + Space solution.

So I rather want to change it with easier shortcut, like the following:

• left ⌘ switches to English
• right ⌘ switches to Spanish
• left ⌘ + left ⌥ + C switches to Chinese
• right ⌘ + right ⌥ + C switches to Japanese.

I tried to use Karabiner (the descendent from KeyRemap4MacBook), but it doesn't work on the first attempt on Chinese, on which when I switches to Chinese, it remains English (the input source icon on the menubar changes, but the keyboard does not work). But for some reasons if I switch from English to Chinese to English to Chinese (two attempts), then the Chinese keyboard finally works.

So I don't like the idea of using Karabiner. So what is the better way to change the input source?

Answer 1

I ran into the same issue with Chinese and Japanese. (The icon on the menu bar changed but the input source was not actually changed until I switched to another input source and back.) It's a known bug according to a post at Karabiner's mailing list:

It's one of the most annoying bug of OS X.

Changing CJK input sources directly from program is not handled appropriately.

So, you need the following procedures.

Step1:
Enable "Select next source in Input menu" (command-option-space) on System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.

Step2:
Change input source by sending command-option-space.

<autogen>
  __KeyToKey__
  KeyCode::K, ModifierFlag::OPTION_L,
  KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTMODE_US,
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_100MS,
  KeyCode::SPACE, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_R | ModifierFlag::OPTION_L,
  <!-- adjust wait for your machine -->
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_10MS,
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_10MS,
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_10MS,
  KeyCode::SPACE, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_R | ModifierFlag::OPTION_L,
  <!-- adjust wait for your machine -->
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_10MS,
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_10MS,
  KeyCode::VK_WAIT_10MS,
  KeyCode::SPACE, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_R | ModifierFlag::OPTION_L,

  Option::NOREPEAT,
</autogen>

changeinput is affected by the same bug.

Another workaround is to just change to another input source and back:

<root>
  <vkchangeinputsourcedef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_HIRAGANA</name>
    <inputsourceid_equal>com.apple.inputmethod.Kotoeri.Japanese</inputsourceid_equal>
  </vkchangeinputsourcedef>
  <vkchangeinputsourcedef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_SPANISH</name>
    <inputsourceid_equal>com.apple.keylayout.Spanish</inputsourceid_equal>
  </vkchangeinputsourcedef>
  <vkchangeinputsourcedef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_US</name>
    <inputsourceid_equal>com.apple.keylayout.US</inputsourceid_equal>
  </vkchangeinputsourcedef>
  <vkchangeinputsourcedef>
    <name>KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_CHINESE</name>
    <inputsourceid_equal>com.apple.inputmethod.TCIM.Pinyin</inputsourceid_equal>
  </vkchangeinputsourcedef>
  <item>
    <name>inputsources</name>
    <identifier>inputsources</identifier>
    <autogen>__KeyOverlaidModifier__ KeyCode::COMMAND_L, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_US, KeyCode::COMMAND_L</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyOverlaidModifier__ KeyCode::COMMAND_R, ModifierFlag::COMMAND_R | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_SPANISH, KeyCode::COMMAND_R</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::C, ModifierFlag::OPTION_L | ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_CHINESE, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_US, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_CHINESE</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::C, ModifierFlag::OPTION_R | ModifierFlag::COMMAND_R | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_HIRAGANA, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_US, KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTSOURCE_HIRAGANA</autogen>
  </item>
</root>

Answer 2

⌘ is a "dead" key, a modifier key. It does nothing on its own, though as it keeps a count of how many times it's pressed, that would be possibly why it's working at the second attempt.

More to the point... why would you want to use ⌘ to switch input language, thereby eliminating its use for any other function.

Why not use F-Keys, perhaps, instead?

A better solution might be one of these...

https://superuser.com/questions/224161/switch-to-specific-input-source

Answer 3

check this

switch with simple press left_shift -> us, right_shift->ua

"rules": [
                    {
                        "description": "Right Shift to UA",
                        "manipulators": [
                            {
                                "from": {
                                    "key_code": "right_shift",
                                    "modifiers": {
                                        "optional": [
                                            "any"
                                        ]
                                    }
                                },
                                "to": [
                                    {
                                        "key_code": "right_shift",
                                        "lazy": true
                                    }
                                ],
                                "to_if_alone": [
                                    {
                                        "select_input_source": {
                                            "language": "uk"
                                        }
                                    }
                                ],
                                "type": "basic"
                            }
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "description": "Right Shift to US",
                        "manipulators": [
                            {
                                "from": {
                                    "key_code": "left_shift",
                                    "modifiers": {
                                        "optional": [
                                            "any"
                                        ]
                                    }
                                },
                                "to": [
                                    {
                                        "key_code": "left_shift",
                                        "lazy": true
                                    }
                                ],
                                "to_if_alone": [
                                    {
                                        "select_input_source": {
                                            "language": "en"
                                        }
                                    }
                                ],
                                "type": "basic"
                            }
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            }