A method and system for translating data to be migrated from an older legacy database to a newer recipient database. Legacy data elements in the older legacy database are translated to correspond the one or more recipient data elements in the newer recipient database by utilizing a translation table in the older legacy database. The translation table defines recipient data elements in the newer recipient database based upon metadata of the older legacy database. The metadata of the older legacy database describes legacy data fields in the older legacy database. The older legacy database utilizes a first operating system. The newer recipient database utilizes a second operating system that differs from the first operating system. The legacy data elements translated in the older legacy database are used to migrate the legacy data elements translated from the older legacy database to the newer recipient database.