Architecture for a speech input method editor for handheld portable devices

A speech input method editor can include a speech toolbar (102) having at least a microphone state/toggle button (104). The speech input method editor can also include a selectable dictation window area (108) used as a temporary dictation target until dictation text is transferred to a target application and a selectable correction window area (112) having at least one among an alternate list (120) for correcting dictated words, an alphabet (114), a spacebar (116), a spell mode reminder (118), or a virtual keyboard (122). The speech input method editor can remain active while using the selectable correction window and while transferring dictation text to the target application. The speech input method editor can further include an alternate input method editor window (112b) used to allow non-speech editing into at least one among the dictation window or to the target application while using the speech input method editor.