A method for translating an expression and enabling target syntax values to be captured after a source expression is written and quoted in a manner appropriate to the target syntax, including: accepting a first expression in a first syntax, the first expression including a first character sequence that includes a first parameter and a pre-defined set of delimiters that indicates that the first parameter is to be bound to a first referenced value using a substitution plus quoting parameter reference, indicating that when the first expression is translated to a target syntax, the referenced value is to be substituted for the first parameter and then quoted according to a quoting syntax of the target syntax; accepting a second expression in the first syntax, the second expression including a second character sequence that includes a second parameter that is assigned a second referenced value, the second character sequence including a direct substitution parameter reference; identifying a second syntax for representing the first and second expressions; binding the first parameter to the referenced value; generating a third expression in the second syntax representing the first expression, including generating a third character sequence using the first character sequence such that the third character sequence includes the first referenced value quoted according to a quoting syntax of the second syntax; and generating a fourth expression in the second syntax representing the second expression, including generating a fourth character sequence using the second character sequence such that the fourth character sequence includes the second referenced value directly substituting for the second parameter. accepting a first expression in a first syntax, the first expression including a first character sequence that includes a first parameter and a pre-defined set of delimiters that indicates that the first parameter is to be bound to a first referenced value using a substitution plus quoting parameter reference, indicating that when the first expression is translated to a target syntax, the referenced value is to be substituted for the first parameter and then quoted according to a quoting syntax of the target syntax; accepting a second expression in the first syntax, the second expression including a second character sequence that includes a second parameter that is assigned a second referenced value, the second character sequence including a direct substitution parameter reference; identifying a second syntax for representing the first and second expressions; binding the first parameter to the referenced value; generating a third expression in the second syntax representing the first expression, including generating a third character sequence using the first character sequence such that the third character sequence includes the first referenced value quoted according to a quoting syntax of the second syntax; and generating a fourth expression in the second syntax representing the second expression, including generating a fourth character sequence using the second character sequence such that the fourth character sequence includes the second referenced value directly substituting for the second parameter.