1. A method for specifying a written character, comprising: receiving a selection of a first character shape; identifying a first plurality of characters containing said first character shape; displaying at least one of said first plurality of identified characters; receiving a selection of a second character shape; in response to said selection of a second character shape, modifying said first plurality of characters to obtain a second plurality of characters, wherein said second plurality of characters includes one of: a) only characters containing said first and second selected shapes, regardless of the order in which said selected character shapes were ordered; and b) only characters containing said first selected shape but not said second selected shape; and displaying at least one of said second plurality of identified characters.