Proposal for a multilanguage text input support system that is easy for beginner language learners

In this paper, we propose an input support system which supports multiple languages and which will make it possible for users-- even users who are in the midst of learning a foreign language that they wish to use and are not familiar with it yet--to easily access the information resources in their desired language. As a text input method that is not restricted by the OS or target language, we propose a system which performs input operations using a web browser. In text string input, by using characters within the ASCII domain, all of the text strings can be assigned to keys on the keyboard. For each language (script), a conversion dictionary is available which shows how the key input string and output string correspond. By devising a conversion dictionary, this system can support all languages (scripts). We perform text conversion in incremental search as a method to speed up input for users who are beginner language learners. Detailed Information Display is a function which displays information related to the vocabulary items that are among the conversion candidates. Using the proposed method, we succeeded in creating an environment in which Japanese students of foreign languages and foreigners living in Japan can input text regardless of their computer's environment.