Thanks to David and Nathan.

All your suggestions helped a lot!

I don't know how oxygen evaluates the stylesheets, it just seemed inconsistent
that it didn't mind that the sub-stylesheets didn't have their own xsl:param -
declaration but hung on the variables.

I like the dictionary arrangement, it is more compatible with translation
memory systems than my version with the variables. Much easier to maintain or
add another language. Great!

Thanks again
CJ