A method and system assembles state transition tables (100) from a plurality of modular sub-tables (102). In one embodiment, each sub-table (102) defines an individual statement in a programming language. Combining multiple sub-tables (102) together into one large table (100) creates a dictionary for a programming language that can be used to, for example, compile code into the programming language or translate code from one language to another. Using sub-tables (102) simplifies construction of the larger table (100) and makes it easier to add, modify, or remove portions of the table (102).