Abstract: A system for use with a database selects keywords from a restricted keyword list for both updating and searching (i.e. bi-directional keyword translation). A keyword translator accepts a user entered keyword and selects a restricted keyword for use (e.g., entry or search) with a database. The keyword entered may be chosen by the user based on the user's preference. The system compares the user-entered keyword with a list of restricted keywords to determine whether there exists in the list of restricted keywords a matching restricted keyword corresponding to the user-entered keyword. If there is a restricted keyword in the list of restricted keywords that corresponds to the user-entered keyword, the system selects the matching restricted keyword for use with the database.