1. A method for performing multi-counter evaluation of a text, said method comprising computer-implemented steps of: applying to the text a merged finite-state machine representing a plurality of single-counter finite-machines each representing a different one of a plurality of counters and wherein at least one state of the merged finite-state machine each corresponds to a multiplicity of states each of a different one of said single-counter finite-state machines, augmented with state value lists where each state value list indicates which counter of the multi-counter receives which value for the state of the merged finite-state machine, wherein at least one of the state value lists indicates a value for at least two of the plurality of counters; accumulating the values of the states of the merged finite-state machine separately for each counter of the multi-counter, thereby producing a list of counter scores; and updating each counter with its counter score.