Starting Off Right in German - Diacritical Marks

Diacritical Marks

Communication, both formal and informal, in either written or oral form, is one of five essential goals of both the Georgia Performance and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Standards. The use of diacritical marks or accent marks is one aspect of meeting the communication goal. Diacritical marks are an aid to pronunciation, proper spelling, and help distinguish some sets of words that are otherwise spelled alike but different in meaning or grammatical usage. For these reasons, GaVS World Language students, at all levels of language development, are assessed on the proper use of diacritical marks or accent marks in their chosen language of study.

Ways to Type or Replace German “Umlaute” or Sharp ‘s’

Windows PC:

Use one of the Alt keys plus the number key pad. Hold down the Alt key while typing the number. When you release the Alt key, the letter will appear:

Alt 0228 = ä                  Alt 0196 = Ä                  Alt 0223 = ß

Alt 0246 = ö                  Alt 0214 = Ö

Alt 0252 = ü                  Alt 0220 = Ü

Macs:  

Use the Option key. Hold down the Option key and type u.  Release the Option key, then type the desired basic vowel (a, o, u, A, O, U). The Umlaut will appear (ä, ö, ü, Ä, Ö, Ü).

For the sharp 's', hold down the Option key and type 's'. The 'ß' will appear.

ALTERNATIVE: 

If you cannot use these options or the Insert 'Symbol' function, use the following internationally recognized equivalents instead:

ä = ae   /   ö = oe   /   ü = ue   /   ß = ss

Setting Up A Keyboard to Type Accents

To help facilitate your use of accents, please watch the following video that applies to your computer (Windows, Mac or Chromebook).

Windows

Mac/Apple

Chromebook