1. A method for classifying an input character, the method comprising the steps of, in a processing system, using a processor to implement: (a) for each of a plurality of character models, each character model being associated with an output character and defining a model specific segmentation scheme for that output character and an associated segment model, the model specific segmentation scheme defining a minimum length corresponding to a number of points in a stroke of the output character and a minimum length threshold: (i) decomposing the input character into one or more segments in accordance with the model specific segmentation scheme of the respective character model; and (ii) evaluating the one or more segments against the segment model of the respective character model to produce a score indicative of the conformity of the one or more segments with the segment model; (b) selecting the character model that produced the highest score; and, (c) classifying the input character as the output character associated with the character model that produces the highest score.