Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

syntax directed translation
     
        A technique where the structure of a language processor (e.g. a
        compiler) is based on the structure of the language's
        {abstract syntax}.  There might be one procedure in the
        translator corresponding to each category in the abstract
        syntax.  That procedure is responsible for processing
        constructs of that category.  Each procedure would call others
        corresponding to the construct's subconstituents and then
        combine their results to give the overall result for that
        construct.