A system and method of searching a database in which documents of
different languages are included. The system includes a synonym or
keyword dictionary which is bi-directional and allows for translation of
keywords between a first language and other languages. The translated
words keywords for the document are stored in an inverted index which is
then used for searching, either in a selected language, a second language
or in all languages, as determined by the user. This use of multiple
searching and a translated synonym dictionary avoids the need for
translation of the entire document and avoids inaccuracies which may
result from translations.