Abstract: Methods for inputting characters of a symbol-based written language for encoding in a computerised system including a touch-sensitive surface, some methods comprising no more than four input steps. Movements of an object over the surface of the touch-sensitive surface, maintaining continuous contact therewith, defines a unique input path for each character. From a start position, an initial component in the input path selects a part of an alphabetical phonetic transcription associated with the character to be encoded. Groups of letters are displayed when initial contact is made, and, selection of one group displays individual letters within that group for selection. Once a selection has been made using the object, further components related to the character are displayed on the touch-sensitive surface at each step of the input path in accordance with previous selections, and if there is no ambiguity, removal of the object from the touch-sensitive surface encodes the character.