Abstract: An arrangement for retrieving information from a directory responsive to a sequence of spoken character signals in which a set of probable characters for each character signal is stored in a position ordered array. A candidate word is formed from the most probable characters of the array and the directory is repeatedly searched for words therein which match a candidate word. After each unsuccessful search, the candidate word is modified by selectively substituting array characters for mismatched position characters on the basis of the closest mismatched word found in the preceding search. If there are no more array characters for substitution after an unsuccessful search, a new candidate word is formed by placing an ignore character in the first mismatched position of the best candidate word of all preceding searches. The position of the ignore mismatch character is shifted left each time no further array characters are available for substitution.