User customizable, locale dependent, variant character entry method and apparatus

A method and apparatus (100) for entry of variant characters provide a user interface (102) to allow a user to select a variant character list (302) for a specific language and optionally customize the list to the user's preferences. Processing circuitry (104) allows the user to add and delete variants from a previously stored default table and/or change the order in which the variants are displayed for each character. The user enters a variant character entry mode by depressing a character key for a predetermined period of time, followed by repeatedly depressing the same key to scroll through possible variants. Variants for the selected key are then displayed at a highlighted cursor position on a display (106). The user selects the desired variant by pressing a key while the desired variant is being highlighted.