diff --git a/MissionEditor/variables.cpp b/MissionEditor/variables.cpp
index 23a36cd..d577172 100644
--- a/MissionEditor/variables.cpp
+++ b/MissionEditor/variables.cpp
@@ -190,8 +190,8 @@ CFinalSunApp theApp;
 
 CString currentOwner="Neutral";
 
-map<CString, XCString> CCStrings;
-map<CString, XCString> AllStrings;
+TranslationMap CCStrings;
+TranslationMap AllStrings;
 
 // tilesets
 int cliffset;
diff --git a/MissionEditor/variables.h b/MissionEditor/variables.h
index 721ad19..30ec9b0 100644
--- a/MissionEditor/variables.h
+++ b/MissionEditor/variables.h
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 #include "FinalSun.h"
 #include "MapData.h"
 
+using TranslationMap = map<CString, XCString>;
+
 // the map
 extern CMapData* Map;
 
@@ -132,7 +134,7 @@ extern BOOL yr_only[];
 
 
 extern CString currentOwner;
-extern map<CString, XCString> CCStrings;
+extern TranslationMap CCStrings;
 
 // tileset ids
 extern int cliffset;