To sum, specify an additional translation file under the core module's translation XPath and place your overriding CSV pairs in there.
<frontend>
<translate>
<modules>
<Mage_Sales>
<files>
<mr_storms_wicked_translations>Mage_Sales_Custom.csv</mr_storms_wicked_translations>
</files>
</Mage_Sales>
</modules>
</translate>
</frontend>