Not a clue where to start: need a non-English keyboard

[JellySlice]

I want to be able to switch between languages on my computer. At the moment I have the default UK English keyboard, with the second language enabled. The second language is non-Roman alphabet and direction. I have printed out a diagram of the keyboard layout, so that when I want to switch languages I do LAlt+Shift to switch, and continue to use the default keyboard. But having to look up every keystroke on my diagram is a real hassle. Plus, if I slip up on certain keystroke combinations, I get bits of English, plus the Backspace and Delete keys are reversed.

It's getting in the way of any hope of fluency.

I want to buy a keyboard in the second language, but is it possible to switch between keyboards as easily as the LAlt+Shift switches between languages? Ideally I wouldn't have even to do LAlt+Shift, ideally the language would change immediately, according to which keyboard I was using.

This is only within documents, not for operating the computer.

Any advice?

Found this, hope it helps.
change

Best of luck

If you had both keyboards plugged in, you can use them simultaneously, but you would need to manually switch the keyboard layout (as your are doing now).

On screen keyboard?

www.howtogeek.com/240288/how-to-use-the-on-screen-keyboard-on-windows-7-8-and-10/

Very handy f you've got two screens

I wonder whether I can use the onscreen keyboard in the second language?

If you are using Win 10 you can change between keyboard layouts

www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-keyboard-layout-windows-10

Argh I'm feeling seriously stooooopid: how do I know which version of Windows I've got?

If there is a magnifying glass or search bar anywhere on the deskktop type

winver

Found it!

Desktop keyboard works - as long as I remember to use only the mouse. Fiddly, but cheaper than buying a second keyboard, so I'll give it a try and see how I get along.

Thanks

You can buy overlays like this: www.amazon.co.uk/Russian-Keyboard-Stickers-Transparent-Laminated-yellow/dp/B002RSOQYY?tag=mumsnetforum-21

They come in lots of different languages and will probably be cheaper than a second keyboard.

It's the diacritics that are the main problem. To access them from the English keyboard, even via the onscreen language keyboard, I have to do a very inconvenient keystroke combination. I'm hoping that using a keyboard designed for the language will make this easier and reduce errors.