Hello David:
I hope I have understood you correctly, I suggest you try the translation functionality.
For this you can logon into your master language,
-> go to SM30 for view V_512W_T,
-> select the country grouping you would like to translate
-> hit the edit button
-> scroll to your wagetype and select it.
-> then menu -> goto -> transaltion
-> select the target language
-> fill in the proper value
-> save and assign to transport request.
Congratulations.
You have translated wagetype description.
Best.
Antoine