1. A decoding method for sequence translation comprising: receiving sequence data requiring sequence translation; using a decoder to create a search space of a plurality of possible next-phrase translations for the sequence data; incorporating into the decoder one or both of an estimate of a distortion penalty yet to be incurred in translating a remainder of the sequence data or early-pruning of one or more possible next-phrase translations of the plurality of possible next-phrase translations to reduce the search space; and selecting a substantially high scoring translation candidate for the sequence data.