Method and apparatus for selecting symbols in ideographic languages

Method of and apparatus for selecting one or more characters of an ideographic language including: data processing means operatively associated with data storage means, display means, and a plurality of selection means; the data storage means being operable for storing image data representing a plurality of images corresponding to the characters and selection data corresponding to a sequence of indicia belonging to a predetermined set of indicia for identifying each character, the selection means being operatively arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with one another and each being operable for selecting one of the indicia or one of the characters, the display means being operable for displaying symbols corresponding to the indicia and a predetemined number of the characters corresponding to the image data in a format which mimics the fixed spatial relationship of the selection means; the data processing means being operable to select a set of indicia and the characters for display on the display means, the characters being selected in accordance with a predetermined identification strategy, whereby, in use, the selection of a sequence of indicia causes the display of a set of characters for selection into a word processing document, the selection changing for each indicium selected in turn until the desired character is displayed on the display means.