1. A text input system comprising: a user input device having a plurality of user-actuable keys, each said key being associated with at least one character element of an Asian language character, each said key also being actuable for a variable timespan range; and a keypress interpretation process for determining the duration of the variable timespan range and comparing said duration to a plurality of timespan ranges, at least one of which represents a character element selection by a user, another of which represents a candidate selection by said user.