How do I set a default language (input source) for an application?

Question

Has Apple completely removed the possibility to do this, and to what end?

The primary input language for my MacBook is Norwegian. What I want is for OSX to open MacVim with the US input language instead of Norwegian.

In other words, I want to be able to set a default input language (input source) to an application. I want OSX to KNOW which input language to use for MacVim when I launch it, instead of me having to switch it to the input language I want EVERY SINGLE TIME I launch MacVim.

(From what I have read, this was possible in earlier versions of OSX, then got removed. Why?)

If this is not possible natively, is there any app which does this? I am getting REALLY desperate.

Best regards, Krystah

There's a similar question at Ask Different, even though it doesn't currently mention anything other than the setting in the input source preferences. — Lri, Aug 08 '12 at 23:57
This only discusses the built-in functionality to change an applications keyboard layout AFTER it has been opened, and this has to be done every single time the program is launched. — krystah, Aug 09 '12 at 08:13

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 10 '13 at 08:37

A workaround I'm using is to make Esc always switch back to English within MacVim. There is a very nice app called KeyRemap4MacBook, and you can use something like below as its private.xml configuration to let MacVim behave in such way. MacVim might start, or be in a different input source, but you can get it right with a single keystroke, which must be pretty familiar to your fingers already. Moreover, this is extremely helpful if you're switching back and forth from input mode to/from normal mode in MacVim, entering and editing non-English text.

<root>
<item>
    <name>In Vim, Make Escape key also Switch to English IM</name>
    <identifier>private.vim_esc_also_switches_to_english_inputmode</identifier>
    <only>VI</only>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::ESCAPE,
    <!---->               KeyCode::ESCAPE,KeyCode::VK_CHANGE_INPUTMODE_ENGLISH </autogen>
</item>
</root>

See also: my private.xml in use.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 09 '12 at 00:32

1

There should be an option in the settings pane for input where you can select if you want the same global or on application basis.

Edit: It only have "Use same one in all documents" and "Allow a different one for each document"

Not sure that works for applications.

answered Aug 09 '12 at 00:32

Hoshts

178

2

That only makes OSX remember it until the application closes. The next time I open MacVim I have to set the language again. Again, and again and again. I'm amazed the self-proclaimed "worlds most advanced operating system" requires me to do monkey-work in this manner. – krystah Aug 09 '12 at 07:55

How do I set a default language (input source) for an application?

2 Answers2

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