A method for input of text symbols into an electronic device having a reduced keyboard is disclosed. The reduced keyboard has keys representing a plurality of characters. The method comprises receiving character inputs from the reduced keyboard. The method also comprises identifying symbol variants based on the received character inputs. The method further comprises displaying a list of symbol variants. The method further comprises receiving a symbol selected from the list of symbol variants. The symbol is a syllable in a first language. The method further comprises identifying syllable variants in a second language corresponding to the syllable in the first language. The method further comprises receiving an input syllable selected from the syllable variants in the second language.