A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically translating the dialed string entered by a calling party to identify a called party into another dialed string. The string translation may be based, for example, on characteristics of the telephone number or telephone terminal of the calling party or characteristics of the call itself. Translation rules translate the dialed string entered by the calling party to another dialed string. Each translation rule contains one or more conditions and a corresponding action item that should be performed to translate the dialed string when the rule is satisfied. The improved abbreviated dialing feature allows a shorter sequence of digits dialed from any telephone connected to a compliant switch to be replaced by a longer dialed string.