diff --git a/.latexmkrc b/.latexmkrc
index a61a8a8..5816eb5 100644
--- a/.latexmkrc
+++ b/.latexmkrc
@@ -6,4 +6,4 @@ $aux_dir = 'build';
 $out_dir = 'build';
 $pdf_previewer = 'xdg-open';
 
-$pre_tex_code = '\newcommand*\GermanTranslation{}';
+$pre_tex_code = '\newcommand*\ActiveTranslation{german}';
diff --git a/definitions.tex b/definitions.tex
index ed04259..abbbcd4 100644
--- a/definitions.tex
+++ b/definitions.tex
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 \newcommand\gm{\textit{(m.)} }
 \newcommand\gf{\textit{(f.)} }
 
+\providecommand{ActiveTranslation}{none}
 \newenvironment{translation}[1]{%
     \def\switchtolang{#1}
-    % TODO: for now we accept only german, else proper case handling needed:
-    \ifdefined\GermanTranslation
+    \ifx\switchtolang\ActiveTranslation
         \begin{adjustwidth}{.1\textwidth}{}
         \begin{\switchtolang}
             \itshape