1. An input method for a handheld electronic device having an output apparatus, the method comprising: receiving an input reflecting selection of a key; based at least in part on the key selection, determining whether to output (i) a non-diacritical character or (ii) a diacritical character, the determination comprising: determining whether the selection corresponds to a first alphanumeric input, based upon a determination that the selection corresponds to the first alphanumeric input, determining to output the non-diacritical character, and based upon a determination that there have been previous alphanumeric inputs, determining whether to output the non-diacritical character or the diacritical character based on whether the previous alphanumeric inputs satisfy a predetermined condition; and outputting the determined output using the output apparatus.