1. A decoding method for sequence translation, the method comprising: employing a processor that executes instructions retained in a computer memory, the instructions, when executed by the processor, implement at least the following operations: receiving sequence data requiring sequence translation; front-loading an estimated future distortion penalty in translating a remainder of the sequence of data; creating a search space of possible next-phrase translations; reducing the search space based in part on the estimated future distortion penalty; and selecting a translation candidate for the sequence data.