1. A method for translating statements in a computer program stored in a computer readable storage device, comprising: updating a definition qualification character to indicate a defined qualification character in a qualifier command, wherein the definition qualification character provides a definition; processing a mnemonic in the computer program invoked in a macro; determining whether the mnemonic is modified by a qualification character; interpreting the mnemonic according to a first interpretation associated with the definition in the definition qualification character in response to determining that the qualification character modifying the mnemonic matches the defined qualification character in the definition qualification character; and interpreting the mnemonic according to a second interpretation indicated in a macro interpretation for the mnemonic if there is a defined interpretation for the mnemonic and the mnemonic is not modified by the defined qualification character.