1. A computer readable medium including instructions readable by a computer which, when implemented, cause the computer to identify proper names in input text by performing steps comprising: locating a sequence of single-characters in the input text not forming part of a multiple-character word; comparing the sequence of single-characters to a lexical knowledge base to identify if a first portion of the sequence corresponds to stored identifiable portions of a proper name; and comparing the sequence of single-characters to the lexical knowledge base to identify if a second portion of the sequence proximate the first portion includes characters known to comprise a second portion of a proper name.