Abstract: The invention includes devices and methods for providing phrase-based translation. Devices of the invention have translation modules containing a set of phrases and their translations wherein the set of phrases is selected based on their suitability in the context in which the translation device is used. The methods of the invention determine the context in which a translation device is used and provide sets of phrases and their translations that are suitable in the context. The invention further includes devices containing software for executing the methods of the invention.