diff --git a/contrib/AutoGrouper.lua b/contrib/AutoGrouper.lua
index 79ded8cf..4d8ced3b 100644
--- a/contrib/AutoGrouper.lua
+++ b/contrib/AutoGrouper.lua
@@ -52,12 +52,11 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("AutoGrouper",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+gettext.bindtextdomain(MOD, dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("AutoGrouper", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local Ag = {}
diff --git a/contrib/CollectHelper.lua b/contrib/CollectHelper.lua
index 7f609350..4e37f06f 100644
--- a/contrib/CollectHelper.lua
+++ b/contrib/CollectHelper.lua
@@ -47,13 +47,10 @@ In the "Selected Images" module click on "Collect on this Image"
 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 local previous = nil
 local all_active = false
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("CollectHelper",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
-
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "CollectHelper") 
 
 -- return data structure for script_manager
@@ -65,14 +62,16 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
+gettext.bindtextdomain("CollectHelper", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("CollectHelper", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- FUNCTION --
 local function CheckSingleImage(selection)
 	if #selection ~= 1 then
-		dt.print(_("Please select a single image"))
+		dt.print(_("please select a single image"))
 		return true
 	end
 	return false
@@ -205,47 +204,47 @@ end
 dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
 	"CollectHelper_prev", _("collect: previous"),
 	function() PreviousCollection() end,
-	_("Sets the Collect parameters to be the previously active parameters")
+	_("sets the collect parameters to be the previously active parameters")
 )
 if dt.preferences.read('module_CollectHelper','folder','bool') then
 		dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
 		"CollectHelper_folder", _("collect: folder"),
 		function() CollectOnFolder(_ , false) end,
-		_("Sets the Collect parameters to be the selected images's folder")
+		_("sets the collect parameters to be the selected images's folder")
 	)
 end
 if dt.preferences.read('module_CollectHelper','colors','bool') then
 		dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
 		"CollectHelper_labels", _("collect: color label(s)"),
 		function() CollectOnColors(_ , false) end,
-		_("Sets the Collect parameters to be the selected images's color label(s)")
+		_("sets the collect parameters to be the selected images's color label(s)")
 	)
 end
 if dt.preferences.read('module_CollectHelper','all_and','bool') then
 		dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
 		"CollectHelper_and", _("collect: all (AND)"),
 		function() CollectOnAll_AND() end,
-		_("Sets the Collect parameters based on all activated CollectHelper options")
+		_("sets the collect parameters based on all activated CollectHelper options")
 	)
 end
 
 -- PREFERENCES --
 dt.preferences.register("module_CollectHelper", "all_and",	-- name
 	"bool",	-- type
-	_('CollectHelper: All'),	-- label
-	_('Will create a collect parameter set that utilizes all enabled CollectHelper types (AND)'),	-- tooltip
+	_('CollectHelper: all'),	-- label
+	_('will create a collect parameter set that utilizes all enabled CollectHelper types (and)'),	-- tooltip
 	true	-- default
 )
 dt.preferences.register("module_CollectHelper", "colors",	-- name
 	"bool",	-- type
-	_('CollectHelper: Color Label(s)'),	-- label
-	_('Enable the button that allows you to swap to a collection based on selected image\'s COLOR LABEL(S)'),	-- tooltip
+	_('CollectHelper: color label(s)'),	-- label
+	_('enable the button that allows you to swap to a collection based on selected image\'s color label(s)'),	-- tooltip
 	true	-- default
 )
 dt.preferences.register("module_CollectHelper", "folder",	-- name
 	"bool",	-- type
-	_('CollectHelper: Folder'),	-- label
-	_('Enable the button that allows you to swap to a collection based on selected image\'s FOLDER location'),	-- tooltip
+	_('CollectHelper: folder'),	-- label
+	_('enable the button that allows you to swap to a collection based on selected image\'s folder location'),	-- tooltip
 	true	-- default
 )
 
diff --git a/contrib/HDRMerge.lua b/contrib/HDRMerge.lua
index 3e7e29a5..f365ec42 100644
--- a/contrib/HDRMerge.lua
+++ b/contrib/HDRMerge.lua
@@ -67,10 +67,12 @@ if dt.configuration.running_os == 'windows' then os_path_seperator = '\\' end
 local CURR_API_STRING = dt.configuration.api_version_string
 
 -- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain('HDRMerge', dt.configuration.config_dir..'/lua/locale/')
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("HDRMerge", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext('HDRMerge', msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local temp
@@ -208,7 +210,7 @@ end
 local function main()
   PreCall({HDRM}) --check if furst run then check if install OK
   if HDRM.install_error then
-    dt.print_error(_('HDRMerge install issue'))
+    dt.print_error('HDRMerge install issue')
     dt.print(_('HDRMerge install issue, please ensure the binary path is proper'))
     return
   end
@@ -277,7 +279,7 @@ local function main()
     end
     dt.print(_('HDRMerge completed successfully'))
   else
-    dt.print_error(_('HDRMerge failed'))
+    dt.print_error('HDRMerge failed')
     dt.print(_('HDRMerge failed'))
   end
 
@@ -378,7 +380,7 @@ local lbl_import = dt.new_widget('section_label'){
 }
 GUI.Target.style = dt.new_widget('combobox'){
   label = _('apply style on import'),
-  tooltip = _('Apply selected style on auto-import to newly created image'),
+  tooltip = _('apply selected style on auto-import to newly created image'),
   selected = 1,
   _('none'),
   changed_callback = function(self)
@@ -407,9 +409,9 @@ GUI.Target.copy_tags = dt.new_widget('check_button'){
 temp = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_add_tags', 'string')
 if temp == '' then temp = nil end 
 GUI.Target.add_tags = dt.new_widget('entry'){
-  tooltip = _('Additional tags to be added on import. Seperate with commas, all spaces will be removed'),
+  tooltip = _('additional tags to be added on import, seperate with commas, all spaces will be removed'),
   text = temp,
-  placeholder = _('Enter tags, seperated by commas'),
+  placeholder = _('enter tags, seperated by commas'),
   editable = true
 }
 GUI.run = dt.new_widget('button'){
@@ -418,7 +420,7 @@ GUI.run = dt.new_widget('button'){
   clicked_callback = function() main() end
 }
 GUI.exes.HDRMerge = dt.new_widget('file_chooser_button'){
-  title = _('Select HDRmerge executable'),
+  title = _('select HDRmerge executable'),
   value = df.get_executable_path_preference(HDRM.name),
   is_directory = false
 }
diff --git a/contrib/LabelsToTags.lua b/contrib/LabelsToTags.lua
index a89b05d2..c41c6ad6 100644
--- a/contrib/LabelsToTags.lua
+++ b/contrib/LabelsToTags.lua
@@ -52,6 +52,14 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "LabelsToTags") 
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("LabelsToTags", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -68,7 +76,7 @@ local ltt = {}
 ltt.module_installed = false
 ltt.event_registered = false
 
-local LIB_ID = "LabelsToTags"
+local LIB_ID = _("LabelsToTags")
 
 -- Helper functions: BEGIN
 
@@ -109,23 +117,23 @@ end
 
 
 local initialAvailableMappings = {
-   ["Colors"] = { ["+*****"] = { "Red" },
-      ["*+****"] = { "Yellow" },
-      ["**+***"] = { "Green" },
-      ["***+**"] = { "Blue" },
-      ["****+*"] = { "Purple" } },
-   ["Single colors"] = { ["+----*"] = { "Red", "Only red" },
-      ["-+---*"] = { "Yellow", "Only yellow" },
-      ["--+--*"] = { "Green", "Only green" },
-      ["---+-*"] = { "Blue", "Only blue" },
-      ["----+*"] = { "Purple", "Only purple" } },
-   ["Ratings"] = { ["*****0"] = { "No stars", "Not rejected" },
-      ["*****1"] = { "One star", "Not rejected" },
-      ["*****2"] = { "Two stars", "Not rejected" },
-      ["*****3"] = { "Three stars", "Not rejected" },
-      ["*****4"] = { "Four stars", "Not rejected" },
-      ["*****5"] = { "Five stars", "Not rejected" },
-      ["*****R"] = { "Rejected" } }
+   [_("colors")] = { ["+*****"] = { _("red") },
+      ["*+****"] = { _("yellow") },
+      ["**+***"] = { _("green") },
+      ["***+**"] = { _("blue") },
+      ["****+*"] = { _("purple") } },
+   [_("single colors")] = { ["+----*"] = { _("red"), _("only red") },
+      ["-+---*"] = { _("Yellow"), _("only yellow") },
+      ["--+--*"] = { _("Green"), _("only green") },
+      ["---+-*"] = { _("Blue"), _("only blue") },
+      ["----+*"] = { _("Purple"), _("only purple") } },
+   [_("ratings")] = { ["*****0"] = { _("no stars"), _("not rejected") },
+      ["*****1"] = { _("one star"), _("not rejected") },
+      ["*****2"] = { _("two stars"), _("not rejected") },
+      ["*****3"] = { _("three stars"), _("not rejected") },
+      ["*****4"] = { _("four stars"), _("not rejected") },
+      ["*****5"] = { _("five stars"), _("not rejected") },
+      ["*****R"] = { _("rejected") } }
 }
 
 local availableMappings = {}
@@ -140,14 +148,14 @@ end
 
 local function getComboboxTooltip()
    if availableMappings == nil or next(availableMappings) == nil then
-      return("No registered mappings -- using defaults")
+      return(_("no registered mappings -- using defaults"))
    else
-      return("Select a label-to-tag mapping")
+      return(_("select a label-to-tag mapping"))
    end
 end
 
 local mappingComboBox = darktable.new_widget("combobox"){
-   label = "mapping",
+   label = _("mapping"),
    value = 1,
    tooltip = getComboboxTooltip(),
    reset_callback = function(selfC)
@@ -170,7 +178,7 @@ local mappingComboBox = darktable.new_widget("combobox"){
 }
 
 local function doTagging(selfC)
-   local job = darktable.gui.create_job(string.format("labels to tags (%d image" .. (#(darktable.gui.action_images) == 1 and "" or "s") .. ")",#(darktable.gui.action_images)),true)
+   local job = darktable.gui.create_job(string.format(_("labels to tags (%d image%s)"), #(darktable.gui.action_images), (#(darktable.gui.action_images) == 1 and "" or "s")), true)
    job.percent = 0.0
    local pctIncrement = 1.0 / #(darktable.gui.action_images)
 
diff --git a/contrib/OpenInExplorer.lua b/contrib/OpenInExplorer.lua
index 9a8cd650..d375af75 100644
--- a/contrib/OpenInExplorer.lua
+++ b/contrib/OpenInExplorer.lua
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local dsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 --Check API version
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "OpenInExplorer") 
@@ -65,11 +65,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("OpenInExplorer",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("OpenInExplorer", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("OpenInExplorer", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local act_os = dt.configuration.running_os
@@ -77,7 +76,7 @@ local PS = act_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
 
 --Detect OS and quit if it is not supported.	
 if act_os ~= "macos" and act_os ~= "windows" and act_os ~= "linux" then
-  dt.print(_("OpenInExplorer plug-in only supports Linux, macOS, and Windows at this time"))
+  dt.print(_("OpenInExplorer plug-in only supports linux, macos, and windows at this time"))
   dt.print_error("OpenInExplorer plug-in only supports Linux, macOS, and Windows at this time")
   return
 end
@@ -93,11 +92,11 @@ local function check_if_links_dir_exists()
   local dir_exists = true
   if not links_dir then
     --Just for paranoic reasons. I tried, but I couldn't devise a setting for a nil value.
-    dt.print(_("No links directory selected.\nPlease check the dt preferences (lua options)"))
+    dt.print(_("no links directory selected\nplease check the dt preferences (lua options)"))
     dt.print_error("OpenInExplorer: No links directory selected")
     dir_exists = false
   elseif not df.check_if_file_exists(links_dir) then
-    dt.print(string.format(_("Links directory '%s' not found.\nPlease check the dt preferences (lua options)"), links_dir))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("links directory '%s' not found\nplease check the dt preferences (lua options)"), links_dir))
     dt.print_error(string.format("OpenInExplorer: Links directory '%s' not found", links_dir))
     dir_exists = false
   end
@@ -154,7 +153,7 @@ local function set_links(selected_images)
     end
     ]]
     if dsys.external_command(run_cmd) ~= 0 then
-      dt.print(_("Failed to create links. Missing rights?"))
+      dt.print(_("failed to create links, missing rights?"))
       dt.print_error("OpenInExplorer: Failed to create links")
       return
     end
@@ -170,13 +169,13 @@ end
 local function open_in_fmanager()
   local images = dt.gui.selection()
   if #images == 0 then
-    dt.print(_("Please select an image"))
+    dt.print(_("please select an image"))
   else
     if use_links and not check_if_links_dir_exists() then
       return
     end
     if #images > 15 and not use_links then
-      dt.print(_("Please select fewer images (max. 15)"))
+      dt.print(_("please select fewer images (max. 15)"))
     elseif use_links then
       set_links(images)
     else
@@ -203,7 +202,7 @@ end
 dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
   "OpenInExplorer", _("show in file explorer"),
   function() open_in_fmanager() end,
-  _("Open the file manager at the selected image's location")
+  _("open the file manager at the selected image's location")
 )
   
 
@@ -211,17 +210,17 @@ if act_os ~= "windows" then
   dt.preferences.register("OpenInExplorer", "linked_image_files_dir",  -- name
     "directory", -- type
     _("OpenInExplorer: linked files directory"), -- label
-    _("Directory to store the links to the file names. Requires restart to take effect"),  -- tooltip
+    _("directory to store the links to the file names, requires restart to take effect"),  -- tooltip
     "Links to image files",  -- default
     dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-      title = _("Select directory"),
+      title = _("select directory"),
       is_directory = true,
     }
   )
   dt.preferences.register("OpenInExplorer", "use_links",  -- name
     "bool", -- type
     _("OpenInExplorer: use links"), -- label
-    _("Use links instead of multiple windows. Requires restart to take effect"),  -- tooltip
+    _("use links instead of multiple windows, requires restart to take effect"),  -- tooltip
     false,  -- default
     ""
   )
diff --git a/contrib/RL_out_sharp.lua b/contrib/RL_out_sharp.lua
index 2c854e48..fcbfb5c0 100644
--- a/contrib/RL_out_sharp.lua
+++ b/contrib/RL_out_sharp.lua
@@ -78,10 +78,12 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
 
 -- translation
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("RL_out_sharp", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
   end
 
 -- initialize module preferences
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@ local function export2RL(storage, image_table, extra_data)
   for image, temp_name in pairs(image_table) do
 
     i = i + 1
-    dt.print(_("sharpening image ")..i.." ...")
+    dt.print(string.format(_("sharpening image %d ..."), i))
     -- create unique filename
     new_name = output_folder..PS..df.get_basename(temp_name)..".jpg"
     new_name = df.create_unique_filename(new_name)
diff --git a/contrib/autostyle.lua b/contrib/autostyle.lua
index 53fc0ab5..426b76fd 100644
--- a/contrib/autostyle.lua
+++ b/contrib/autostyle.lua
@@ -42,6 +42,13 @@ local filelib = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "autostyle") 
 
+local gettext = darktable.gettext.gettext
+gettext.bindtextdomain("autostyle", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -92,19 +99,19 @@ local function autostyle_apply_one_image (image)
 
   -- check they all exist (correct syntax)
   if (not tag) then
-	  darktable.print("EXIF TAG not found in " .. pref)
+	  darktable.print(string.format(_("EXIF tag not found in %s"), pref))
 	  return 0
   end
   if (not value) then
-	  darktable.print("value to match not found in " .. pref)
+	  darktable.print(string.format(_("value to match not found in %s"), pref))
 	  return 0
   end
   if (not style_name) then
-	  darktable.print("style name not found in " .. pref)
+	  darktable.print(string.format(_("style name not found in %s"), pref))
 	  return 0
   end
   if not filelib.check_if_bin_exists("exiftool") then
-	  darktable.print("Can't find exiftool")
+	  darktable.print(_("can't find exiftool"))
     return 0
   end
 	
@@ -118,7 +125,7 @@ local function autostyle_apply_one_image (image)
 	  end
   end
   if (not style) then
-	  darktable.print("style not found for autostyle: " .. style_name)
+	  darktable.print(string.format(_("style not found for autostyle: %s"), style_name))
     return 0
   end
 
@@ -127,7 +134,7 @@ local function autostyle_apply_one_image (image)
   --darktable.print_error("dr_attr:" .. auto_dr_attr)
   -- If the lookup fails, stop here
   if (not ok) then
-    darktable.print("Couldn't get attribute " .. auto_dr_attr .. " from exiftool's output")
+    darktable.print(string.format(_("couldn't get attribute %s from exiftool's output"), auto_dr_attr))
     return 0
   end
   if auto_dr_attr == value then
@@ -154,7 +161,7 @@ local function autostyle_apply(shortcut)
     images_submitted = images_submitted + 1
     images_processed = images_processed + autostyle_apply_one_image(image)
   end
-  darktable.print("Applied auto style to " .. images_processed .. " out of " .. images_submitted .. " image(s)")
+  darktable.print(string.format(_("applied auto style to %d out of %d image(s)"), images_processed, images_submitted))
 end
 
 local function destroy()
@@ -164,9 +171,9 @@ end
 
 -- Registering events
 darktable.register_event("autostyle", "shortcut", autostyle_apply,
-       "Apply your chosen style from exiftool tags")
+       _("apply your chosen style from exiftool tags"))
 
-darktable.preferences.register("autostyle", "exif_tag", "string", "Autostyle: EXIF_tag=value=>style", "apply a style automatically if an EXIF_tag matches value. Find the tag with exiftool", "")
+darktable.preferences.register("autostyle", "exif_tag", "string", "Autostyle: EXIF_tag=value=>style", _("apply a style automatically if an EXIF tag matches value, find the tag with exiftool"), "")
 
 darktable.register_event("autostyle", "post-import-image",
   autostyle_apply_one_image_event)
diff --git a/contrib/change_group_leader.lua b/contrib/change_group_leader.lua
index c7fe5c0f..b70310df 100644
--- a/contrib/change_group_leader.lua
+++ b/contrib/change_group_leader.lua
@@ -36,10 +36,12 @@ USAGE
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext 
 
 local MODULE = "change_group_leader"
 
+gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE, dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 du.check_min_api_version("3.0.0", MODULE)
 
 -- return data structure for script_manager
@@ -51,11 +53,8 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE, dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
-
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext(MODULE, msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- create a namespace to contain persistent data and widgets
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ end
 
 local function process_image_groups(images)
   if #images < 1 then
-    dt.print(_("No images selected."))
+    dt.print(_("o images selected"))
     dt.print_log(MODULE .. "no images seletected, returning...")
   else
     local mode = cgl.widgets.mode.value
@@ -161,7 +160,7 @@ cgl.widgets.mode = dt.new_widget("combobox"){
 }
 
 cgl.widgets.execute = dt.new_widget("button"){
-  label = _("Execute"),
+  label = _("execute"),
   clicked_callback = function()
     process_image_groups(dt.gui.action_images)
   end
diff --git a/contrib/clear_GPS.lua b/contrib/clear_GPS.lua
index da4668c1..da915027 100644
--- a/contrib/clear_GPS.lua
+++ b/contrib/clear_GPS.lua
@@ -48,18 +48,17 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext 
+gettext.bindtextdomain("clear_GPS", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 -- not a number
 local NaN = 0/0
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "clear_GPS") 
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("clear_GPS",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("clear_GPS", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function clear_GPS(images)
@@ -81,13 +80,13 @@ script_data.destroy = destroy
 dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
   "clear_GPS", _("clear GPS data"),
   function(event, images) clear_GPS(images) end,
-  _("Clear GPS data from selected images")
+  _("clear GPS data from selected images")
 )
 
 dt.register_event(
   "clear_GPS", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut) clear_GPS(dt.gui.action_images) end,
-  _("Clear GPS data")
+  _("clear GPS data")
 )
 
 return script_data
diff --git a/contrib/color_profile_manager.lua b/contrib/color_profile_manager.lua
index bd097558..61b40284 100644
--- a/contrib/color_profile_manager.lua
+++ b/contrib/color_profile_manager.lua
@@ -52,13 +52,12 @@ du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "color_profile_manager")
 -- L O C A L I Z A T I O N
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("color_profile_manager", dt.configuration.config_dir .. "/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("color_profile_manager", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("color_profile_manager", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
@@ -119,13 +118,13 @@ end
 
 local function add_profile(file, dir)
   df.file_copy(file, dir)
-  dt.print(_("added color profile " .. file .. " to " .. dir))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("added color profile %s to %s"), file, dir))
   dt.print_log("color profile " .. file .. " added to " .. dir)
 end
 
 local function remove_profile(file, dir)
   os.remove(dir .. PS .. file)
-  dt.print(_("removed color profile " .. file .. " from " .. dir))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("removed color profile %s from %s"), file, dir))
   dt.print_log("color profile " .. file .. " removed from " .. dir)
 end
 
diff --git a/contrib/copy_attach_detach_tags.lua b/contrib/copy_attach_detach_tags.lua
index 05f6f1f4..fb9f4870 100644
--- a/contrib/copy_attach_detach_tags.lua
+++ b/contrib/copy_attach_detach_tags.lua
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local debug = require "darktable.debug"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "copy_attach_detach_tags") 
 
@@ -53,11 +53,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("copy_attach_detach_tags",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("copy_attach_detach_tags", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("copy_attach_detach_tags", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local cadt = {}
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ local function mcopy_tags()
          end
       end
 
-      dt.print(_('Image tags copied ...'))
+      dt.print(_('image tags copied ...'))
 
      --create UI tag list
      local taglist = ""
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ local function mcopy_tags()
 local function attach_tags()
 
   if next(image_tags) == nil then
-    dt.print(_('No tag to attach, please copy tags first.'))
+    dt.print(_('no tag to attach, please copy tags first.'))
     return true
   end
 
@@ -145,7 +144,7 @@ local function attach_tags()
       end
     end
   end
- dt.print(_('Tags attached ...'))
+ dt.print(_('tags attached ...'))
 end
 
 local function detach_tags()
@@ -161,13 +160,13 @@ local function detach_tags()
         end
       end
    end
-  dt.print(_('Tags removed from image(s).'))
+  dt.print(_('tags removed from image(s).'))
 end
 
 local function replace_tags()
   detach_tags()
   attach_tags()
-  dt.print(_('Tags replaced'))
+  dt.print(_('tags replaced'))
 end
 
 local function install_module()
diff --git a/contrib/cr2hdr.lua b/contrib/cr2hdr.lua
index f4a40c9d..04232c27 100644
--- a/contrib/cr2hdr.lua
+++ b/contrib/cr2hdr.lua
@@ -37,6 +37,14 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "cr2hdr") 
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("cr2hdr", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -87,7 +95,7 @@ end
 local function convert_images()
     if next(queue) == nil then return end
 
-    job = darktable.gui.create_job("Dual ISO conversion", true, stop_conversion)
+    job = darktable.gui.create_job(_("dual ISO conversion"), true, stop_conversion)
     for key,image in pairs(queue) do
         if job.valid then
             job.percent = (key-1)/#queue
@@ -98,7 +106,7 @@ local function convert_images()
     end
     local success_count = 0
     for _ in pairs(processed_files) do success_count = success_count + 1 end
-    darktable.print("Dual ISO conversion successful on " .. success_count .. "/" .. #queue .. " images.")
+    darktable.print(string.format(_("dual ISO conversion successful on %d/%d images."), success_count, #queue))
     job.valid = false
     processed_files = {}
     queue = {}
@@ -122,13 +130,13 @@ local function destroy()
 end
 
 darktable.register_event("cr2hdr", "shortcut", 
-    convert_action_images, "Run cr2hdr (Magic Lantern DualISO converter) on selected images")
+    convert_action_images, _("run cr2hdr (Magic Lantern DualISO converter) on selected images"))
 darktable.register_event("cr2hdr", "post-import-image", 
     file_imported)
 darktable.register_event("cr2hdr", "post-import-film", 
     film_imported)
 
-darktable.preferences.register("cr2hdr", "onimport", "bool", "Invoke on import", "If true then cr2hdr will try to proccess every file during importing. Warning: cr2hdr is quite slow even in figuring out on whether the file is Dual ISO or not.", false)
+darktable.preferences.register("cr2hdr", "onimport", "bool", _("invoke on import"), _("if true then cr2hdr will try to proccess every file during importing\nwarning: cr2hdr is quite slow even in figuring out on whether the file is dual ISO or not."), false)
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy 
 
diff --git a/contrib/cycle_group_leader.lua b/contrib/cycle_group_leader.lua
index e4bdd11f..1b8d6841 100644
--- a/contrib/cycle_group_leader.lua
+++ b/contrib/cycle_group_leader.lua
@@ -69,13 +69,12 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 -- I 1 8 N
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE, dt.configuration.config_dir .. "/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("cycle_group_leader", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext(MODULE, msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
@@ -100,7 +99,7 @@ end
 local function cycle_group_leader(image)
   local group_images = image:get_group_members()
   if #group_images < 2 then
-    hinter_msg(_("No images to cycle to in group"))
+    hinter_msg(_("no images to cycle to in group"))
     return
   else
     local position = nil
@@ -147,7 +146,7 @@ dt.register_event(MODULE, "shortcut",
     -- ignore the film roll, it contains all the images, not just the imported
     local images = dt.gui.selection()
     if #images < 1 then
-      dt.print(_("No image selected.  Please select an image and try again"))
+      dt.print(_("no image selected, please select an image and try again"))
     else
       cycle_group_leader(images[1])
     end
diff --git a/contrib/enfuseAdvanced.lua b/contrib/enfuseAdvanced.lua
index 76ffd01e..42b62b15 100644
--- a/contrib/enfuseAdvanced.lua
+++ b/contrib/enfuseAdvanced.lua
@@ -77,10 +77,12 @@ script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hid
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
 -- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain('enfuseAdvanced',dt.configuration.config_dir..'/lua/locale/')
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("enfuseAdvanced", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext('enfuseAdvanced', msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- INITS --
@@ -260,7 +262,7 @@ local function ExeUpdate(prog_tbl) --updates executable paths and verifies them
         if not prog.bin then 
             prog.install_error = true
             dt.preferences.write(mod, 'bin_exists', 'bool', false)
-            dt.print(_('issue with ')..prog.name.._(' executable'))
+            dt.print(string.format(_("issue with %s executable"), prog.name))
         else
             prog.bin = CleanSpaces(prog.bin)
         end
@@ -377,7 +379,7 @@ local function SaveToPreference(preset) --save the present values of enfuse GUI
             dt.preferences.write(mod, preset..argument, arg_data.style, temp)
         end
     end
-    dt.print(_('saved to ')..preset)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("saved to %s"), preset))
 end
 
 local function LoadFromPreference(preset) --load values from the specified 'preset' into the GUI elements
@@ -393,7 +395,7 @@ local function LoadFromPreference(preset) --load values from the specified 'pres
             dt.preferences.write(mod, 'active_'..argument, arg_data.style, temp)
         end     
     end
-    dt.print(_('loaded from ')..preset)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("loaded from %s"), preset))
 end
 
 local function remove_temp_files(images_to_remove) --deletes all files specified by the input string
@@ -428,7 +430,7 @@ local function support_format(storage, format) --tells dt we only support TIFF e
 end
 
 local function show_status(storage, image, format, filename, number, total, high_quality, extra_data) --outputs message to user showing script export status
-    dt.print(_('export for image fusion ')..tostring(math.floor(number))..' / '..tostring(math.floor(total)))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("export for image fusion %d / %d"), math.floor(number), math.floor(total)))
 end
 
 local function main(storage, image_table, extra_data)
@@ -456,8 +458,8 @@ local function main(storage, image_table, extra_data)
         job.valid = false
         if resp ~= 0 then
             remove_temp_files(images_to_remove)
-            dt.print_error(AIS.name.._(' failed'))
-            dt.print(AIS.name.._(' failed'))
+            dt.print(string.format(_("%s failed"), AIS.name))
+            dt.print_error(AIS.name .. ' failed')
             return
         end
     end
@@ -483,8 +485,8 @@ local function main(storage, image_table, extra_data)
         local resp = dsys.external_command(run_cmd)
         if resp ~= 0 then
             remove_temp_files(images_to_remove)
-            dt.print_error(ENF.name.._(' failed'))
-            dt.print(ENF.name.._(' failed'))
+            dt.print_error(ENF.name..' failed')
+            dt.print(string.format(_("%s failed"), ENF.name))
             return
         end
         
@@ -729,7 +731,7 @@ GUI.ENF.hard_masks = dt.new_widget('check_button'){
 GUI.ENF.save_masks = dt.new_widget('check_button'){
     label = _('save masks'), 
     value = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_save_masks', 'bool'),
-    tooltip = _('Save the generated weight masks to your home directory,\nenblend saves masks as 8 bit grayscale, \ni.e. single channel images. \nfor accuracy we recommend to choose a lossless format.'),  
+    tooltip = _('save the generated weight masks to your home directory,\nenblend saves masks as 8 bit grayscale, \ni.e. single channel images. \nfor accuracy we recommend to choose a lossless format.'),  
     clicked_callback = function(self) dt.preferences.write(mod, 'active_save_masks', 'bool', self.value) end,
     reset_callback = function(self) self.value = false end
 }
@@ -882,7 +884,7 @@ GUI.Target.output_directory = dt.new_widget('file_chooser_button'){
 GUI.Target.source_location = dt.new_widget('check_button'){
     label = _('save to source image location'), 
     value = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_source_location', 'bool'),
-    tooltip = _('If checked ignores the location above and saves output image(s) to the same location as the source images.'),  
+    tooltip = _('if checked ignores the location above and saves output image(s) to the same location as the source images.'),  
     clicked_callback = function(self) dt.preferences.write(mod, 'active_source_location', 'bool', self.value) end,
     reset_callback = function(self) self.value = true end
 }
@@ -916,8 +918,8 @@ GUI.Target.auto_import = dt.new_widget('check_button'){
 }
 temp = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_apply_style_ind', 'integer')
 GUI.Target.apply_style = dt.new_widget('combobox'){
-    label = _('Apply Style on Import'),
-    tooltip = _('Apply selected style on auto-import to newly created blended image'),
+    label = _('apply style on Import'),
+    tooltip = _('apply selected style on auto-import to newly created blended image'),
     selected = 1,
     'none',
     changed_callback = function(self)
@@ -938,16 +940,16 @@ GUI.Target.apply_style.selected = temp
 GUI.Target.copy_tags = dt.new_widget('check_button'){
     label = _('copy tags'), 
     value = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_copy_tags', 'bool'),
-    tooltip = _('Copy tags from first image.'), 
+    tooltip = _('copy tags from first image.'), 
     clicked_callback = function(self) dt.preferences.write(mod, 'active_copy_tags', 'bool', self.value) end,
     reset_callback = function(self) self.value = true end
 }
 temp = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_add_tags', 'string')
 if temp == '' then temp = nil end 
 GUI.Target.add_tags = dt.new_widget('entry'){
-    tooltip = _('Additional tags to be added on import. Seperate with commas, all spaces will be removed'),
+    tooltip = _('additional tags to be added on import, seperate with commas, all spaces will be removed'),
     text = temp,
-    placeholder = 'Enter tags, seperated by commas',
+    placeholder = _('enter tags, seperated by commas'),
     editable = true
 }
 temp = dt.preferences.read(mod, 'active_current_preset_ind', 'integer')
diff --git a/contrib/exportLUT.lua b/contrib/exportLUT.lua
index fe11960e..4b044558 100644
--- a/contrib/exportLUT.lua
+++ b/contrib/exportLUT.lua
@@ -42,12 +42,12 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
-gettext.bindtextdomain("exportLUT",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("exportLUT", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("exportLUT", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 du.check_min_api_version("5.0.0", "exportLUT") 
@@ -64,13 +64,13 @@ local mkdir_command = 'mkdir -p '
 if dt.configuration.running_os == 'windows' then mkdir_command = 'mkdir ' end
 
 local file_chooser_button = dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-    title = _("Identity_file_chooser"),
+    title = _("identity_file_chooser"),
     value = "",
     is_directory = false
 }
 
 local export_chooser_button = dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-    title = _("Export_location_chooser"),
+    title = _("export_location_chooser"),
     value = "",
     is_directory = true
 }
@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ end
 local function export_luts()
   local identity = dt.database.import(file_chooser_button.value)
   if(type(identity) ~= "userdata") then
-    dt.print(_("Invalid identity lut file"))
+    dt.print(_("invalid identity lut file"))
   else
-    local job = dt.gui.create_job(_('Exporting styles as haldCLUTs'), true, end_job)
+    local job = dt.gui.create_job(_('exporting styles as haldCLUTs'), true, end_job)
     
     local size = 1
 
@@ -127,9 +127,9 @@ local function export_luts()
       io_lut:write_image(identity, output_path(style.name, job))
       count = count + 1
       job.percent = count / size
-      dt.print(_("Exported: ") .. output_path(style.name, job))
+      dt.print(string.format(_("exported: %s"), output_path(style.name, job)))
     end
-    dt.print(_("Done exporting haldCLUTs"))
+    dt.print(_("done exporting haldCLUTs"))
     job.valid = false
     identity:reset()
   end
diff --git a/contrib/ext_editor.lua b/contrib/ext_editor.lua
index 827d5270..0650cd70 100644
--- a/contrib/ext_editor.lua
+++ b/contrib/ext_editor.lua
@@ -95,10 +95,12 @@ ee.widgets = {}
 
 
 -- translation
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("ext_editor", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- maximum number of external programs, can be increased to necessity
@@ -156,7 +158,7 @@ local function UpdateProgramList(combobox, button_edit, button_edit_copy, update
       button_edit.sensitive = active
       button_edit_copy.sensitive = active
 
-  if update_button_pressed then dt.print(n_entries.._(" editors configured")) end
+  if update_button_pressed then dt.print(string.format(_("%d editors configured"), n_entries)) end
 end
 
 
@@ -223,17 +225,17 @@ local function OpenWith(images, choice, copy)
     -- physical copy, check result, return if error
     local copy_success = df.file_copy(name, new_name)
     if not copy_success then
-      dt.print(_("error copying file ")..name)
+      dt.print(string.format(_("error copying file %s"), name))
       return
     end    
   end
 
   -- launch the external editor, check result, return if error
   local run_cmd = bin.." "..df.sanitize_filename(new_name) 
-  dt.print(_("launching ")..friendly_name.."...") 
+  dt.print(string.format(_("launching %s..."), friendly_name))
   local result = dtsys.external_command(run_cmd)
   if result ~= 0 then
-    dt.print(_("error launching ")..friendly_name)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("error launching %s"), friendly_name))
     return
   end
 
@@ -326,7 +328,7 @@ local function export2collection(storage, image_table, extra_data)
     -- move image to collection folder, check result, return if error
     move_success = df.file_move(temp_name, new_name)
     if not move_success then
-      dt.print(_("error moving file ")..temp_name)
+      dt.print(string.format(_("error moving file %s"), temp_name))
       return
     end
 
@@ -378,7 +380,7 @@ end
 local function restart()
   for i = 1, MAX_EDITORS do
     dt.register_event(MODULE_NAME .. i, "shortcut", 
-      program_shortcut, _("edit with program ")..string.format("%02d", i)) 
+      program_shortcut, string.format(_("edit with program %02d"), i)) 
   end
   dt.register_storage("exp2coll", _("collection"), nil, export2collection)
   dt.gui.libs[MODULE_NAME].visible = true
@@ -476,11 +478,11 @@ dt.register_storage("exp2coll", _("collection"), nil, export2collection)
 -- register the new preferences -----------------------------------------------
 for i = MAX_EDITORS, 1, -1 do
   dt.preferences.register(MODULE_NAME, "program_path_"..i, "file", 
-  _("executable for external editor ")..i, 
-  _("select executable for external editor")  , _("(None)"))
+  string.format(_("executable for external editor %d"), i), 
+  _("select executable for external editor")  , _("(none)"))
   
   dt.preferences.register(MODULE_NAME, "program_name_"..i, "string", 
-  _("name of external editor ")..i, 
+  string.format(_("name of external editor %d"), i), 
   _("friendly name of external editor"), "")
 end
 dt.preferences.register(MODULE_NAME, "show_in_darkrooom", "bool", 
@@ -491,7 +493,7 @@ dt.preferences.register(MODULE_NAME, "show_in_darkrooom", "bool",
 -- register the new shortcuts -------------------------------------------------
 for i = 1, MAX_EDITORS do
   dt.register_event(MODULE_NAME .. i, "shortcut", 
-    program_shortcut, _("edit with program ")..string.format("%02d", i)) 
+    program_shortcut, string.format(_("edit with program %02d"), i)) 
 end
 
 
diff --git a/contrib/face_recognition.lua b/contrib/face_recognition.lua
index 5bd7048e..233b4b7b 100644
--- a/contrib/face_recognition.lua
+++ b/contrib/face_recognition.lua
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 -- constants
 
@@ -69,11 +69,10 @@ local fc = {}
 fc.module_installed = false
 fc.event_registered = false
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("face_recognition", dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("face_recognition", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("face_recognition", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function build_image_table(images)
@@ -135,7 +134,7 @@ local function do_export(img_tbl, images)
   job.percent = 0.0
   for export,img in pairs(img_tbl) do
     exp_cnt = exp_cnt + 1
-    dt.print(string.format(_("Exporting image %i of %i images"), exp_cnt, images))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("exporting image %i of %i images"), exp_cnt, images))
     exporter:write_image(img, export, upsize)
     job.percent = job.percent + percent_step
   end
@@ -205,7 +204,7 @@ local function face_recognition ()
   local bin_path = df.check_if_bin_exists("face_recognition")
 
   if not bin_path then
-    dt.print(_("Face recognition not found"))
+    dt.print(_("face recognition not found"))
     return
   end
 
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@ local function face_recognition ()
       local command = bin_path ..  " --cpus " .. nrCores .. " --tolerance " .. tolerance .. " " .. knownPath .. " " .. path .. " > " .. OUTPUT
       os.setlocale()
       dt.print_log("Face recognition: Running command: " .. command)
-      dt.print(_("Starting face recognition..."))
+      dt.print(_("starting face recognition..."))
 
       dtsys.external_command(command)
 
@@ -265,9 +264,9 @@ local function face_recognition ()
       local f = io.open(OUTPUT, "rb")
 
       if not f then
-        dt.print(_("Face recognition failed"))
+        dt.print(_("face recognition failed"))
       else
-        dt.print(_("Face recognition finished"))
+        dt.print(_("face recognition finished"))
         f:close ()
       end
 
@@ -399,7 +398,7 @@ fc.category_tags = dt.new_widget("entry"){
 
 fc.tolerance = dt.new_widget("slider"){
   label = _("tolerance"),
-  tooltip = ("detection tolerance - 0.6 default - lower if too many faces detected"),
+  tooltip = _("detection tolerance - 0.6 default - lower if too many faces detected"),
   soft_min = 0.0,
   hard_min = 0.0,
   soft_max = 1.0,
@@ -482,12 +481,12 @@ table.insert(widgets, fc.num_cores)
 table.insert(widgets, fc.export_format)
 table.insert(widgets, dt.new_widget("box"){
   orientation = "horizontal",
-  dt.new_widget("label"){ label = _("width  ")},
+  dt.new_widget("label"){ label = _("width")},
   fc.width,
 })
 table.insert(widgets, dt.new_widget("box"){
   orientation = "horizontal",
-  dt.new_widget("label"){ label = _("height ")},
+  dt.new_widget("label"){ label = _("height")},
   fc.height,
 })
 table.insert(widgets, fc.execute)
diff --git a/contrib/fujifilm_ratings.lua b/contrib/fujifilm_ratings.lua
index c6b8738c..df73b464 100644
--- a/contrib/fujifilm_ratings.lua
+++ b/contrib/fujifilm_ratings.lua
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Dependencies:
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "fujifilm_ratings") 
 
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
-gettext.bindtextdomain("fujifilm_ratings", dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("fujifilm_ratings", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-	return gettext.dgettext("fujifilm_ratings", msgid)
+	return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function detect_rating(event, image)
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ local function detect_rating(event, image)
 	if string.len(jpeg_result) > 0 then
 		jpeg_result = string.gsub(jpeg_result, "^Rating.*(%d)", "%1")
 		image.rating = tonumber(jpeg_result)
-		dt.print_error(_("Using JPEG Rating: ") .. tostring(jpeg_result))
+		dt.print_error(string.format(_("using JPEG rating: %d"), jpeg_result))
 		return
 	end
 	command = "exiftool -Rating " .. RAF_filename
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ local function detect_rating(event, image)
 	if string.len(raf_result) > 0 then
 		raf_result = string.gsub(raf_result, "^Rating.*(%d)", "%1")
 		image.rating = tonumber(raf_result)
-		dt.print_error(_("Using RAF Rating: ") .. tostring(raf_result))
+		dt.print_error(string.format(_("using RAF rating: %d"), raf_result))
 	end
 end
 
diff --git a/contrib/geoJSON_export.lua b/contrib/geoJSON_export.lua
index cd748fee..18247ee5 100644
--- a/contrib/geoJSON_export.lua
+++ b/contrib/geoJSON_export.lua
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ USAGE
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "geoJSON_export") 
 
@@ -48,11 +48,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("geoJSON_export",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("geoJSON_export", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("geoJSON_export", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- Sort a table
@@ -80,7 +79,7 @@ local function spairs(_table, order) -- Code copied from http://stackoverflow.co
 end
 
 local function show_status(storage, image, format, filename, number, total, high_quality, extra_data)
-    dt.print(string.format(_("Export Image %i/%i"), number, total))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("export image %i/%i"), number, total))
 end
 
 local function create_geoJSON_file(storage, image_table, extra_data)
@@ -309,19 +308,19 @@ dt.preferences.register("geoJSON_export",
 	"CreateMapBoxHTMLFile",
 	"bool",
 	_("geoJSON export: Create an additional HTML file"),
-	_("Creates a HTML file, that loads the geoJASON file. (Needs a MapBox key"),
+	_("creates an HTML file that loads the geoJSON file. (needs a MapBox key"),
 	false )
 dt.preferences.register("geoJSON_export",
 	"mapBoxKey",
 	"string",
-	_("geoJSON export: MapBox Key"),
+	_("geoJSON export: MapBox key"),
 	_("https://www.mapbox.com/studio/account/tokens"),
 	'' )
 dt.preferences.register("geoJSON_export",
 	"OpengeoJSONFile",
 	"bool",
-	_("geoJSON export: Open geoJSON file after export"),
-	_("Opens the geoJSON file after the export with the standard program for geoJSON files"),
+	_("geoJSON export: open geoJSON file after export"),
+	_("opens the geoJSON file after the export with the standard program for geoJSON files"),
 	false )
 
 local handle = io.popen("xdg-user-dir DESKTOP")
@@ -333,8 +332,8 @@ end
 dt.preferences.register("geoJSON_export",
 	"ExportDirectory",
 	"directory",
-	_("geoJSON export: Export directory"),
-	_("A directory that will be used to export the geoJSON files"),
+	_("geoJSON export: export directory"),
+	_("a directory that will be used to export the geoJSON files"),
 	result )
 
 -- Register
diff --git a/contrib/geoToolbox.lua b/contrib/geoToolbox.lua
index 30f90406..33a67368 100644
--- a/contrib/geoToolbox.lua
+++ b/contrib/geoToolbox.lua
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ require "geoToolbox"
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "geoToolbox") 
 
@@ -41,11 +41,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("geoToolbox",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("geoToolbox", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("geoToolbox", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 
@@ -56,7 +55,7 @@ gT.event_registered = false
 
 -- <GUI>
 local labelDistance = dt.new_widget("label")
-labelDistance.label = _("Distance:")
+labelDistance.label = _("distance:")
 
 local label_copy_gps_lat = dt.new_widget("check_button")
 {
@@ -300,9 +299,9 @@ local function copy_gps()
       end
     end
 
-    label_copy_gps_lat.label = _("latitude: ") .. copy_gps_latitude
-    label_copy_gps_lon.label = _("longitude: ") ..copy_gps_longitude
-    label_copy_gps_ele.label = _("elevation: ") .. copy_gps_elevation
+    label_copy_gps_lat.label = string.format(_("latitude: "), copy_gps_latitude)
+    label_copy_gps_lon.label = string.format(_("longitude: "),copy_gps_longitude)
+    label_copy_gps_ele.label = string.format(_("elevation: "), copy_gps_elevation)
 
     return
   end
@@ -493,7 +492,7 @@ local function calc_distance()
         distanceUnit = _("km")
     end
 
-    return string.format(_("Distance: %.2f %s"), distance, distanceUnit)
+    return string.format(_("distance: %.2f %s"), distance, distanceUnit)
 end
 
 local function print_calc_distance()
@@ -516,12 +515,12 @@ local altitude_filename = dt.new_widget("entry")
     text = "altitude.csv",
     placeholder = "altitude.csv",
     editable = true,
-    tooltip = _("Name of the exported file"),
+    tooltip = _("name of the exported file"),
     reset_callback = function(self) self.text = "text" end
   }
 
 local function altitude_profile()
-	  dt.print(_("Start export"))
+	  dt.print(_("start export"))
     local sel_images = dt.gui.action_images
 
     local lat1 = 0;
@@ -582,7 +581,7 @@ local function altitude_profile()
     file = io.open(exportDirectory.."/"..exportFilename, "w")
     file:write(csv_file)
     file:close()
-    dt.print(_("File created in ")..exportDirectory)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("file created in %s"), exportDirectory))
 
 end
 
@@ -612,14 +611,14 @@ end
 
 local function restart()
   dt.register_event("geoToolbox_cd", "shortcut", 
-    print_calc_distance, _("Calculate the distance from latitude and longitude in km"))
+    print_calc_distance, _("calculate the distance from latitude and longitude in km"))
   dt.register_event("geoToolbox", "mouse-over-image-changed", 
     toolbox_calc_distance)
 
   dt.register_event("geoToolbox_wg", "shortcut", 
-    select_with_gps, _("Select all images with GPS information"))
+    select_with_gps, _("select all images with GPS information"))
   dt.register_event("geoToolbox_ng", "shortcut", 
-    select_without_gps, _("Select all images without GPS information"))
+    select_without_gps, _("select all images without GPS information"))
 
   dt.gui.libs["geoToolbox"].visible = true
 end
@@ -642,20 +641,20 @@ gT.widget = dt.new_widget("box")
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("select geo images"),
-      tooltip = _("Select all images with GPS information"),
+      tooltip = _("select all images with GPS information"),
       clicked_callback = select_with_gps
     },
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("select non-geo images"),
-      tooltip = _("Select all images without GPS information"),
+      tooltip = _("select all images without GPS information"),
       clicked_callback = select_without_gps
     },
     separator,--------------------------------------------------------
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("copy GPS data"),
-      tooltip = _("Copy GPS data"),
+      tooltip = _("copy GPS data"),
       clicked_callback = copy_gps
     },
     label_copy_gps_lat,
@@ -664,7 +663,7 @@ gT.widget = dt.new_widget("box")
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("paste GPS data"),
-      tooltip = _("Paste GPS data"),
+      tooltip = _("paste GPS data"),
       clicked_callback = paste_gps
     },
     separator2,--------------------------------------------------------
@@ -694,14 +693,14 @@ gT.widget = dt.new_widget("box")
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("open in Gnome Maps"),
-      tooltip = _("Open location in Gnome Maps"),
+      tooltip = _("open location in Gnome Maps"),
       clicked_callback = open_location_in_gnome_maps
     },
     separator4,--------------------------------------------------------
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("reverse geocode"),
-      tooltip = _("This just shows the name of the location, but doesn't add it as tag"),
+      tooltip = _("this just shows the name of the location, but doesn't add it as tag"),
       clicked_callback = reverse_geocode
     },
     separator5,--------------------------------------------------------
@@ -711,7 +710,7 @@ gT.widget = dt.new_widget("box")
     dt.new_widget("button")
     {
       label = _("export altitude CSV file"),
-      tooltip = _("Create an altitude profile using the GPS data in the metadata"),
+      tooltip = _("create an altitude profile using the GPS data in the metadata"),
       clicked_callback = altitude_profile
     },
     labelDistance
@@ -744,14 +743,14 @@ dt.preferences.register("geoToolbox",
 
 -- Register
 dt.register_event("geoToolbox_cd", "shortcut", 
-  print_calc_distance, _("Calculate the distance from latitude and longitude in km"))
+  print_calc_distance, _("calculate the distance from latitude and longitude in km"))
 dt.register_event("geoToolbox", "mouse-over-image-changed", 
   toolbox_calc_distance)
 
 dt.register_event("geoToolbox_wg", "shortcut", 
-  select_with_gps, _("Select all images with GPS information"))
+  select_with_gps, _("select all images with GPS information"))
 dt.register_event("geoToolbox_ng", "shortcut", 
-  select_without_gps, _("Select all images without GPS information"))
+  select_without_gps, _("select all images without GPS information"))
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy
 script_data.restart = restart
diff --git a/contrib/gimp.lua b/contrib/gimp.lua
index 0b235f92..e8d2a4e8 100644
--- a/contrib/gimp.lua
+++ b/contrib/gimp.lua
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 local gimp_widget = nil
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "gimp") 
@@ -83,11 +83,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("gimp",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("gimp", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("gimp", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function group_if_not_member(img, new_img)
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ end
 
 local function show_status(storage, image, format, filename,
   number, total, high_quality, extra_data)
-    dt.print(string.format(_("Export Image %i/%i"), number, total))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("export image %i/%i"), number, total))
 end
 
 local function gimp_edit(storage, image_table, extra_data) --finalize
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ local function gimp_edit(storage, image_table, extra_data) --finalize
   local gimp_executable = df.check_if_bin_exists("gimp")
 
   if not gimp_executable then
-    dt.print_error(_("GIMP not found"))
+    dt.print_error("GIMP not found")
     return
   end
 
@@ -142,7 +141,7 @@ local function gimp_edit(storage, image_table, extra_data) --finalize
     img_list = img_list ..exp_img.. " "
   end
 
-  dt.print(_("Launching GIMP..."))
+  dt.print(_("launching GIMP..."))
 
   local gimpStartCommand
   gimpStartCommand = gimp_executable .. " " .. img_list
@@ -213,7 +212,7 @@ gimp_widget = dt.new_widget("check_button"){
   end
 }
 
-dt.register_storage("module_gimp", _("Edit with GIMP"), show_status, gimp_edit, nil, nil, gimp_widget)
+dt.register_storage("module_gimp", _("edit with GIMP"), show_status, gimp_edit, nil, nil, gimp_widget)
 
 --
 script_data.destroy = destroy
diff --git a/contrib/gpx_export.lua b/contrib/gpx_export.lua
index c25028e2..39bb5193 100644
--- a/contrib/gpx_export.lua
+++ b/contrib/gpx_export.lua
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ For each source folder, a separate <trk> is generated in the gpx file.
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local dl = require "lib/dtutils"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 dl.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "gpx_export") 
 
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("gpx_export",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("gpx_export", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
   return gettext.dgettext("gpx_export", msgid)
@@ -132,11 +131,11 @@ local function create_gpx_file()
 
   local file = io.open(path, "w")
   if (file == nil) then
-    dt.print(_("invalid path: ")..path)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("invalid path: %s"), path))
   else
     file:write(gpx_file)
     file:close()
-    dt.print(_("gpx file created: ")..path)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("gpx file created: "), path))
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/contrib/harmonic_armature_guide.lua b/contrib/harmonic_armature_guide.lua
index e5c23f27..2e8afd8d 100644
--- a/contrib/harmonic_armature_guide.lua
+++ b/contrib/harmonic_armature_guide.lua
@@ -32,15 +32,14 @@ USAGE
 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("2.0.0", "harmonic_armature_guide") 
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("harmonic_armature_guide",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("harmonic_armature_guide", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("harmonic_armature_guide", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 dt.guides.register_guide("harmonic armature",
diff --git a/contrib/hif_group_leader.lua b/contrib/hif_group_leader.lua
index 5fa0aa5f..4c7fb61e 100644
--- a/contrib/hif_group_leader.lua
+++ b/contrib/hif_group_leader.lua
@@ -73,13 +73,12 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 -- I 1 8 N
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE, dt.configuration.config_dir .. "/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("hif_group_leader", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext(MODULE, msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 
@@ -182,7 +181,7 @@ dt.register_event(MODULE .. "_collect", "shortcut",
     local images = dt.collection
     make_existing_hif_group_leader(images)
   end,
-  _("Make hif group leader for collection")
+  _("make hif group leader for collection")
 )
 
 dt.register_event(MODULE .. "_select", "shortcut",
@@ -190,7 +189,7 @@ dt.register_event(MODULE .. "_select", "shortcut",
     local images = dt.gui.selection()
     make_existing_hif_group_leader(images)
   end,
-  _("Make hif group leader for selection")
+  _("make hif group leader for selection")
 )
 
 return script_data
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/contrib/hugin.lua b/contrib/hugin.lua
index 77ad7cb8..451eb956 100644
--- a/contrib/hugin.lua
+++ b/contrib/hugin.lua
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local log = require "lib/dtutils.log"
 local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 local namespace = 'module_hugin'
 local user_pref_str = 'prefer_gui'
@@ -65,11 +65,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("hugin",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("hugin", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("hugin", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function user_preference_changed(widget)
@@ -201,7 +200,7 @@ local function create_panorama(storage, image_table, extra_data) --finalize
       if df.check_if_file_exists(src_path) then
         log.msg(log.debug, "found ", src_path, " importing to ", dst_path)
         df.file_move(src_path, dst_path)
-        dt.print(_("importing file "..dst_path))
+        dt.print(string.format(_("importing file %s"), dst_path))
         dt.database.import(dst_path)
       end
     end
@@ -227,7 +226,7 @@ hugin_widget = dt.new_widget("box") {
   orientation = "vertical",
   dt.new_widget("check_button")
   {
-    label = _("  launch hugin gui"),
+    label = _("launch hugin gui"),
     value = user_prefer_gui,
     tooltip = _('launch hugin in gui mode'),
     clicked_callback = user_preference_changed
diff --git a/contrib/image_stack.lua b/contrib/image_stack.lua
index b78b96c5..424b2fc4 100644
--- a/contrib/image_stack.lua
+++ b/contrib/image_stack.lua
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 local job = nil
 
 -- path separator constant
@@ -82,11 +82,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("image_stack",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("image_stack", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("image_stack", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
@@ -259,7 +258,7 @@ end
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
 local function show_status(storage, image, format, filename, number, total, high_quality, extra_data)
-    dt.print(string.format(_("Export Image %i/%i"), number, total))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("export image %i/%i"), number, total))
 end
 
 -- read the gui and populate the align_image_stack arguments
@@ -452,7 +451,7 @@ local function copy_image_attributes(from, to, ...)
       to.rights = from.rights
       to.description = from.description
     else
-      dt.print_error(_("Unrecognized option to copy_image_attributes: " .. arg))
+      dt.print_error("Unrecognized option to copy_image_attributes: " .. arg)
     end
   end
 end
@@ -496,7 +495,7 @@ local function image_stack(storage, image_table, extra_data)
 
   if image_count < 2 then
     dt.print(_("ERROR: at least 2 images required for image stacking, exiting..."))
-    dt.print_error(_(image_count .. " image(s) selected, at least 2 required"))
+    dt.print_error(image_count .. " image(s) selected, at least 2 required")
     return
   end
 
@@ -520,13 +519,13 @@ local function image_stack(storage, image_table, extra_data)
         job.percent = job.percent + percent_step
       else
         dt.print(_("ERROR: image alignment failed"))
-        dt.print_error(_("image alignment failed"))
+        dt.print_error("image alignment failed")
         cleanup(img_list)
         return
       end
     else
       dt.print(_("ERROR: align_image_stack not found"))
-      dt.print_error(_("align_image_stack not found"))
+      dt.print_error("align_image_stack not found")
       cleanup(img_list)
       return
     end
@@ -540,7 +539,7 @@ local function image_stack(storage, image_table, extra_data)
   local ignore_tif_tags = " -quiet -define tiff:ignore-tags=40965,42032,42033,42034,42036,18246,18249,36867,34864,34866 "
   if convert_executable then
     local convert_command = convert_executable .. ignore_tif_tags .. convert_arguments
-    dt.print_log(_("convert command is " .. convert_command))
+    dt.print_log("convert command is " .. convert_command)
     dt.print(_("processing image stack"))
     local result = dtsys.external_command(convert_command)
     if result == 0 then
@@ -554,7 +553,7 @@ local function image_stack(storage, image_table, extra_data)
       local import_filename = df.create_unique_filename(film_roll_path .. PS .. df.get_filename(output_filename))
       df.file_move(output_filename, import_filename)
       imported_image = dt.database.import(import_filename)
-      local created_tag = dt.tags.create(_("Created with|image_stack"))
+      local created_tag = dt.tags.create(_("created with|image_stack"))
       dt.tags.attach(created_tag, imported_image)
       -- all the images are the same except for time, so just copy the  attributes
       -- from the first
@@ -568,7 +567,7 @@ local function image_stack(storage, image_table, extra_data)
 
       if tag_source then
         dt.print(_("tagging source images"))
-        local source_tag = dt.tags.create(_("Source file|" .. imported_image.filename))
+        local source_tag = dt.tags.create(_("source file|" .. imported_image.filename))
         for img, _ in pairs(image_table) do 
           dt.tags.attach(source_tag, img)
         end
@@ -580,7 +579,7 @@ local function image_stack(storage, image_table, extra_data)
     end
   else
     dt.print(_("ERROR: convert executable not found"))
-    dt.print_error(_("convert executable not found"))
+    dt.print_error("convert executable not found")
     cleanup(img_list)
   end
   job.valid = false
@@ -592,7 +591,7 @@ end
 
 dt.preferences.register("align_image_stack", "align_use_gpu", -- name
   "bool",                                                     -- type
-  _('align image stack: use GPU for remaping'),               -- label
+  _('align image stack: use GPU for remapping'),               -- label
   _('set the GPU remapping for image align'),                 -- tooltip
   false)
 
diff --git a/contrib/image_time.lua b/contrib/image_time.lua
index 17d54819..81bce253 100644
--- a/contrib/image_time.lua
+++ b/contrib/image_time.lua
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local ds = require "lib/dtutils.string"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 local img_time = {}
 img_time.module_installed = false
@@ -125,11 +125,11 @@ script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hid
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("image_time",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("image_time", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("image_time", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local PS = dt.configuration.runnin_os == "windows" and "\\" or "/"
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ local function calculate_difference(images)
     img_time.diff_entry.text = calc_time_difference(images[1], images[2])
     img_time.btn.sensitive = true
   else
-    dt.print(_("Error: 2 images must be selected"))
+    dt.print(_("ERROR: 2 images must be selected"))
   end
 end
 
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ local function _get_windows_image_file_creation_time(image)
     end
     p:close()
   else
-    dt.print(_("unable to get information for  ") .. image.filename)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("unable to get information for $s"), image.filename))
     datetime = ERROR
   end
   return datetime
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ local function _get_nix_image_file_creation_time(image)
     end
     p:close()
   else
-    dt.print(_("unable to get information for  ") .. image.filename)
+    dt.print(string.format(_("unable to get information for %s"), image.filename))
     datetime = ERROR
   end
   return datetime
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ local function reset_time(images)
       image.exif_datetime_taken = get_original_image_time(image)
     end
   else
-    dt.print_error(_("reset time: no images selected"))
+    dt.print_error("reset time: no images selected")
     dt.print(_("please select the images that need their time reset"))
   end
 end
@@ -430,8 +430,8 @@ end
 img_time.widgets  = {
   -- name, type, tooltip, placeholder,
   {"ayr", "combobox", _("years"), _("years to adjust by, 0 - ?"), {seq(0,20)}, 1},
-  {"amo", "combobox", _("months"), ("months to adjust by, 0-12"), {seq(0,12)}, 1},
-  {"ady", "combobox", _("days"), ("days to adjust by, 0-31"), {seq(0,31)}, 1},
+  {"amo", "combobox", _("months"), _("months to adjust by, 0-12"), {seq(0,12)}, 1},
+  {"ady", "combobox", _("days"), _("days to adjust by, 0-31"), {seq(0,31)}, 1},
   {"ahr", "combobox", _("hours"), _("hours to adjust by, 0-23"), {seq(0,23)}, 1},
   {"amn", "combobox", _("minutes"), _("minutes to adjust by, 0-59"), {seq(0,59)}, 1},
   {"asc", "combobox", _("seconds"), _("seconds to adjust by, 0-59"), {seq(0,59)}, 1},
@@ -457,13 +457,13 @@ end
 img_time.syr.selected = #img_time.syr
 
 img_time.diff_entry = dt.new_widget("entry"){
-  tooltip = _("Time difference between images in seconds"),
-  placeholder = _("Select 2 images and use the calculate button"),
+  tooltip = _("time difference between images in seconds"),
+  placeholder = _("select 2 images and use the calculate button"),
   text = "",
 }
 
 img_time.calc_btn = dt.new_widget("button"){
-  label = _("Calculate"),
+  label = _("calculate"),
   tooltip = _("calculate time difference between 2 images"),
   clicked_callback = function()
     calculate_difference(dt.gui.action_images)
diff --git a/contrib/jpg_group_leader.lua b/contrib/jpg_group_leader.lua
index ab97588d..d8fd7283 100644
--- a/contrib/jpg_group_leader.lua
+++ b/contrib/jpg_group_leader.lua
@@ -73,13 +73,12 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 -- I 1 8 N
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE, dt.configuration.config_dir .. "/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("jpg_group_leader", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext(MODULE, msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 
@@ -182,7 +181,7 @@ dt.register_event(MODULE .. "_collect", "shortcut",
     local images = dt.collection
     make_existing_jpg_group_leader(images)
   end,
-  _("Make jpg group leader for collection")
+  _("make jpg group leader for collection")
 )
 
 dt.register_event(MODULE .. "_select", "shortcut",
@@ -190,7 +189,7 @@ dt.register_event(MODULE .. "_select", "shortcut",
     local images = dt.gui.selection()
     make_existing_jpg_group_leader(images)
   end,
-  _("Make jpg group leader for selection")
+  _("make jpg group leader for selection")
 )
 
 return script_data
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/contrib/kml_export.lua b/contrib/kml_export.lua
index f772fb76..25eb5d2e 100644
--- a/contrib/kml_export.lua
+++ b/contrib/kml_export.lua
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local ds = require "lib/dtutils.string"
 local dsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "\\" or "/"
 
@@ -54,15 +54,14 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("kml_export",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("kml_export", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("kml_export", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function show_status(storage, image, format, filename, number, total, high_quality, extra_data)
-  dt.print(string.format(_("Export Image %i/%i"), number, total))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("export image %i/%i"), number, total))
 end
 
 -- Add duplicate index to filename
@@ -320,14 +319,14 @@ if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
     "OpenKmlFile",
     "bool",
     _("KML export: Open KML file after export"),
-    _("Opens the KML file after the export with the standard program for KML files"),
+    _("opens the KML file after the export with the standard program for KML files"),
     false )
 else
   dt.preferences.register("kml_export",
     "OpenKmlFile",
     "bool",
-    _("KML export: Open KML/KMZ file after export"),
-    _("Opens the KML file after the export with the standard program for KML files"),
+    _("KML export: open KML/KMZ file after export"),
+    _("opens the KML file after the export with the standard program for KML files"),
     false )
 end
 
@@ -346,23 +345,23 @@ end
 dt.preferences.register("kml_export",
   "ExportDirectory",
   "directory",
-  _("KML export: Export directory"),
-  _("A directory that will be used to export the KML/KMZ files"),
+  _("KML export: export directory"),
+  _("a directory that will be used to export the KML/KMZ files"),
   defaultDir )
 
 if dt.configuration.running_os ~= "linux" then  
   dt.preferences.register("kml_export", 
     "magickPath",	-- name
 	"file",	-- type
-	_("KML export: ImageMagick binary Location"),	-- label
-	_("Install location of magick[.exe]. Requires restart to take effect."),	-- tooltip
+	_("KML export: ImageMagick binary location"),	-- label
+	_("install location of magick[.exe], requires restart to take effect"),	-- tooltip
 	"magick")	-- default
 end  
   
 dt.preferences.register("kml_export",
   "CreatePath",
   "bool",
-  _("KML export: Connect images with path"),
+  _("KML export: connect images with path"),
   _("connect all images with a path"),
   false )
 
@@ -370,16 +369,16 @@ if dt.configuration.running_os == "linux" then
   dt.preferences.register("kml_export",
     "CreateKMZ",
     "bool",
-    _("KML export: Create KMZ file"),
-    _("Compress all imeges to one KMZ file"),
+    _("KML export: create KMZ file"),
+    _("compress all imeges to one KMZ file"),
     true )
 end
 
 -- Register
 if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
-  dt.register_storage("kml_export", _("KML Export"), nil, create_kml_file)
+  dt.register_storage("kml_export", _("KML export"), nil, create_kml_file)
 else
-  dt.register_storage("kml_export", _("KML/KMZ Export"), nil, create_kml_file)
+  dt.register_storage("kml_export", _("KML/KMZ export"), nil, create_kml_file)
 end
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy
diff --git a/contrib/passport_guide.lua b/contrib/passport_guide.lua
index 0b617286..0b233c64 100644
--- a/contrib/passport_guide.lua
+++ b/contrib/passport_guide.lua
@@ -37,15 +37,14 @@ USAGE
 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("2.0.0", "passport_guide") 
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("passport_guide",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("passport_guide", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("passport_guide", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 dt.guides.register_guide("passport",
diff --git a/contrib/pdf_slideshow.lua b/contrib/pdf_slideshow.lua
index 11948845..b6fb1803 100644
--- a/contrib/pdf_slideshow.lua
+++ b/contrib/pdf_slideshow.lua
@@ -42,17 +42,16 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("pdf_slideshow",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("pdf_slideshow", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("pdf_slideshow", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 if not df.check_if_bin_exists("pdflatex") then
-   dt.print_error(_("pdflatex not found"))
+   dt.print_error("pdflatex not found")
    return
 end
 
@@ -231,7 +230,7 @@ dt.register_storage("pdf_slideshow",_("pdf slideshow"),
       local result = dt.control.execute(command)
       if result ~= 0 then
         dt.print(_("problem running pdflatex")) -- this one is probably usefull to the user
-        error(_("problem running ")..command)
+        error("problem running ")..command)
       end
 
       -- open the PDF
@@ -241,7 +240,7 @@ dt.register_storage("pdf_slideshow",_("pdf slideshow"),
       local result = dt.control.execute(command)
       if result ~= 0 then
         dt.print(_("problem running pdf viewer")) -- this one is probably usefull to the user
-        error(_("problem running ")..command)
+        error("problem running "..command)
       end
 
       -- finally do some clean-up
diff --git a/contrib/photils.lua b/contrib/photils.lua
index b5e99bd8..250915ef 100644
--- a/contrib/photils.lua
+++ b/contrib/photils.lua
@@ -55,9 +55,7 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 
 
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "\\" or "/"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME,
-    dt.configuration.config_dir .. PS .. "lua" .. PS .. "locale" .. PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 local exporter = dt.new_format("jpeg")
 exporter.quality = 80
@@ -66,8 +64,10 @@ exporter.max_width = 224
 
 -- helper functions
 
+gettext.bindtextdomain("photils", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function num_keys(tbl)
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ function PHOTILS.image_changed()
 end
 
 function PHOTILS.tagged_image_has_changed()
-    GUI.warning.label = _("The suggested tags were not generated\n for the currently selected image!")
+    GUI.warning.label = _("the suggested tags were not generated\n for the currently selected image!")
 end
 
 function PHOTILS.paginate()
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ end
 
 function PHOTILS.attach_tags()
     local num_selected = #dt.gui.selection()
-    local job = dt.gui.create_job(_("Apply tag to image"), true)
+    local job = dt.gui.create_job(_("apply tag to image"), true)
 
     for i = 1, num_selected, 1 do
         local image = dt.gui.selection()[i]
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ function PHOTILS.attach_tags()
         job.percent = i / num_selected
     end
 
-    dt.print(_("Tags successfully attached to image"))
+    dt.print(_("tags successfully attached to image"))
     job.valid = false
 end
 
@@ -313,11 +313,11 @@ function PHOTILS.on_tags_clicked()
     local images = dt.gui.selection()
 
     if #images == 0 then
-        dt.print(_("No image selected."))
+        dt.print(_("no image selected."))
         dt.control.sleep(2000)
     else
         if #images > 1 then
-            dt.print(_("This plugin can only handle a single image."))
+            dt.print(_("this plugin can only handle a single image."))
             dt.gui.selection({images[1]})
             dt.control.sleep(2000)
         end
@@ -428,9 +428,9 @@ end
 
 if not photils_installed then
     GUI.warning_label.label = _("photils-cli not found")
-    dt.print_log(_("photils-cli not found"))
+    dt.print_log("photils-cli not found")
 else
-    GUI.warning_label.label = _("Select an image, click \"get tags\" and get \nsuggestions for tags.")
+    GUI.warning_label.label = _("select an image, click \"get tags\" and get \nsuggestions for tags.")
 end
 
 GUI.pagination = dt.new_widget("box") {
@@ -473,9 +473,9 @@ dt.preferences.register(MODULE_NAME,
                         "export_image_before_for_tags",
                         "bool",
                         _("photils: use exported image for tag request"),
-                        _("If enabled, the image passed to photils for tag suggestion is based on the exported, already edited image. " ..
-                          "Otherwise, the embedded thumbnail of the RAW file will be used for tag suggestion." ..
-                          "The embedded thumbnail could speedup the tag suggestion but can fail if the RAW file is not supported."),
+                        _("if enabled, the image passed to photils for tag suggestion is based on the exported, already edited image. " ..
+                          "otherwise, the embedded thumbnail of the RAW file will be used for tag suggestion." ..
+                          "the embedded thumbnail could speedup the tag suggestion but can fail if the RAW file is not supported."),
                         true)
 
 dt.register_event("photils", "mouse-over-image-changed",
diff --git a/contrib/quicktag.lua b/contrib/quicktag.lua
index 15f1d8db..1ab5f3f0 100644
--- a/contrib/quicktag.lua
+++ b/contrib/quicktag.lua
@@ -62,13 +62,12 @@ qt.module_installed = false
 qt.event_registered = false
 qt.widget_table = {}
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("quicktag",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("quicktag", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("quicktag", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- maximum length of button labels
diff --git a/contrib/rate_group.lua b/contrib/rate_group.lua
index 9a790f81..d8e7130b 100644
--- a/contrib/rate_group.lua
+++ b/contrib/rate_group.lua
@@ -44,6 +44,14 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 -- added version check
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "rate_group") 
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("rate_group", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -62,9 +70,9 @@ local function apply_rating(rating)
       end
   end
   if rating < 0 then
-      dt.print("rejecting group(s)")
+      dt.print(_("rejecting group(s)"))
   else
-      dt.print("applying rating " ..rating.. " to group(s)")
+      dt.print(string.format(_("applying rating %d to group(s)"), rating))
   end
 end
 
@@ -81,37 +89,37 @@ end
 dt.register_event("rg_reject", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(-1)
-end, "Reject group")
+end, _("reject group"))
 
 dt.register_event("rg0", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(0)
-end, "Rate group 0")
+end, _("rate group 0"))
 
 dt.register_event("rg1", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(1)
-end, "Rate group 1")
+end, _("rate group 1"))
 
 dt.register_event("rg2", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(2)
-end, "Rate group 2")
+end, _("rate group 2"))
 
 dt.register_event("rg3", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(3)
-end, "Rate group 3")
+end, _("rate group 3"))
 
 dt.register_event("rg4", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(4)
-end, "Rate group 4")
+end, _("rate group 4"))
 
 dt.register_event("rg5", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut)
     apply_rating(5)
-end, "Rate group 5")
+end, _("rate group 5"))
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy
 
diff --git a/contrib/rename-tags.lua b/contrib/rename-tags.lua
index 2213b923..90597bb3 100644
--- a/contrib/rename-tags.lua
+++ b/contrib/rename-tags.lua
@@ -36,6 +36,14 @@ local debug = require "darktable.debug"
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "rename-tags") 
 du.deprecated("contrib/rename-tags.lua","darktable release 4.0")
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("rename-tags", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -50,8 +58,8 @@ rt.module_installed = false
 rt.event_registered = false
 
 -- GUI entries
-local old_tag = darktable.new_widget("entry") { tooltip = "Enter old tag" }
-local new_tag = darktable.new_widget("entry") { tooltip = "Enter new tag" }
+local old_tag = darktable.new_widget("entry") { tooltip = _("enter old tag") }
+local new_tag = darktable.new_widget("entry") { tooltip = _("enter new tag") }
 
 local function rename_reset()
     old_tag.text = ''
@@ -62,11 +70,11 @@ end
 local function rename_tags()
   -- If entries are empty, return
   if old_tag.text == '' then
-    darktable.print ("Old tag can't be empty")
+    darktable.print (_("old tag can't be empty"))
     return
   end
   if new_tag.text == '' then
-    darktable.print ("New tag can't be empty")
+    darktable.print (_("new tag can't be empty"))
     return
   end
   
@@ -76,12 +84,12 @@ local function rename_tags()
   local ot = darktable.tags.find (old_tag.text)
   
   if not ot then
-    darktable.print ("Old tag does not exist")
+    darktable.print (_("old tag does not exist"))
     return
   end
 
   -- Show job
-  local job = darktable.gui.create_job ("Renaming tag", true)
+  local job = darktable.gui.create_job (_("renaming tag"), true)
   
   old_tag.editable = false
   new_tag.editable = false
@@ -104,7 +112,7 @@ local function rename_tags()
   darktable.tags.delete (ot)
 
   job.valid = false
-  darktable.print ("Renamed tags for " .. count .. " images")
+  darktable.print (string.format(_("renamed tags for %d images"), count))
   old_tag.editable = true
   new_tag.editable = true
 
@@ -115,7 +123,7 @@ end
 
 local function install_module()
   if not rt.module_installed then
-    darktable.register_lib ("rename_tags", "rename tag", true, true, {[darktable.gui.views.lighttable] = {"DT_UI_CONTAINER_PANEL_RIGHT_CENTER", 20},}, rt.rename_widget, nil, nil)
+    darktable.register_lib ("rename_tags", _("rename tag"), true, true, {[darktable.gui.views.lighttable] = {"DT_UI_CONTAINER_PANEL_RIGHT_CENTER", 20},}, rt.rename_widget, nil, nil)
     rt.module_installed = true
   end
 end
@@ -131,13 +139,13 @@ end
 -- GUI
 local old_widget = darktable.new_widget ("box") {
     orientation = "horizontal",
-    darktable.new_widget("label") { label = "Old tag" },
+    darktable.new_widget("label") { label = _("old tag") },
     old_tag
 }
 
 local new_widget = darktable.new_widget ("box") {
     orientation = "horizontal",
-    darktable.new_widget("label") { label = "New tag" },
+    darktable.new_widget("label") { label = _("new tag") },
     new_tag
 }
 
@@ -146,7 +154,7 @@ rt.rename_widget = darktable.new_widget ("box") {
     reset_callback = rename_reset,
     old_widget,
     new_widget,
-    darktable.new_widget("button") { label = "Go", clicked_callback = rename_tags }
+    darktable.new_widget("button") { label = _("go"), clicked_callback = rename_tags }
 }
 
 if darktable.gui.current_view().id == "lighttable" then
diff --git a/contrib/rename_images.lua b/contrib/rename_images.lua
index e8e013db..e63a1ab1 100644
--- a/contrib/rename_images.lua
+++ b/contrib/rename_images.lua
@@ -46,13 +46,12 @@ local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "rename_images") 
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("rename_images",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("rename_images", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("rename_images", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- namespace variable
@@ -86,7 +85,7 @@ local MODULE_NAME = "rename_images"
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
 local USER = os.getenv("USERNAME")
 local HOME = os.getenv(dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "HOMEPATH" or "HOME")
-local PICTURES = HOME .. PS .. dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "My Pictures" or "Pictures"
+local PICTURES = HOME .. PS .. dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and _("My Pictures") or _("Pictures")
 local DESKTOP = HOME .. PS .. "Desktop"
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
@@ -158,8 +157,8 @@ local function substitute_list(str)
     if rename.substitutes[var] then
       str = string.gsub(str, "%$%("..var.."%)", rename.substitutes[var])
     else
-      dt.print_error(_("unrecognized variable " .. var))
-      dt.print(_("unknown variable " .. var .. ", aborting..."))
+      dt.print_error("unrecognized variable " .. var)
+      dt.print(string.format(_("unknown variable %s, aborting..."), var))
       return -1
     end
   end
@@ -210,7 +209,7 @@ local function do_rename(images)
   if #images > 0 then
     local pattern = rename.widgets.pattern.text
     dt.preferences.write(MODULE_NAME, "pattern", "string", pattern)
-    dt.print_log(_("pattern is " .. pattern))
+    dt.print_log("pattern is " .. pattern)
     if string.len(pattern) > 0 then
       local datetime = os.date("*t")
 
@@ -250,7 +249,7 @@ local function do_rename(images)
       stop_job(job)
       local collect_rules = dt.gui.libs.collect.filter()
       dt.gui.libs.collect.filter(collect_rules)
-      dt.print(_("renamed " .. #images .. " images"))
+      dt.print(string.format(_("renamed %d images"), #images))
     else -- pattern length
       dt.print_error("no pattern supplied, returning...")
       dt.print(_("please enter the new name or pattern"))
diff --git a/contrib/select_non_existing.lua b/contrib/select_non_existing.lua
index 9baef664..a8225b17 100644
--- a/contrib/select_non_existing.lua
+++ b/contrib/select_non_existing.lua
@@ -29,11 +29,12 @@ du.check_min_api_version("9.1.0", MODULE)
 -- figure out the path separator
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("select_non_existing", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext(MODULE, msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function stop_job(job)
diff --git a/contrib/select_untagged.lua b/contrib/select_untagged.lua
index d15941b2..97bf3382 100644
--- a/contrib/select_untagged.lua
+++ b/contrib/select_untagged.lua
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Enable selection of untagged images (darktable|* tags are ignored)
 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "select_untagged") 
 
@@ -33,11 +33,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("select_untagged",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("select_untagged", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext("select_untagged", msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function stop_job(job)
diff --git a/contrib/slideshowMusic.lua b/contrib/slideshowMusic.lua
index cf62aa69..666402e3 100644
--- a/contrib/slideshowMusic.lua
+++ b/contrib/slideshowMusic.lua
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ USAGE
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "slideshowMusic") 
 
@@ -40,11 +40,10 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("slideshowMusic",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("slideshowMusic", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("slideshowMusic", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function playSlideshowMusic(_, old_view, new_view)
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ local function playSlideshowMusic(_, old_view, new_view)
   playMusic = dt.preferences.read("slideshowMusic","PlaySlideshowMusic","bool")
 
   if not df.check_if_bin_exists("rhythmbox-client") then
-    dt.print_error(_("rhythmbox-client not found"))
+    dt.print_error("rhythmbox-client not found")
     return
   end
 
@@ -70,7 +69,7 @@ local function playSlideshowMusic(_, old_view, new_view)
       if (old_view and old_view.id == "slideshow") then
         stopCommand = "rhythmbox-client --pause"
         --dt.print_error(stopCommand)
-        dt.control.execute( stopCommand)
+        dt.control.execute(stopCommand)
       end
     end
   end
@@ -83,12 +82,12 @@ function destroy()
 end
 
 -- Preferences
-dt.preferences.register("slideshowMusic", "SlideshowMusic", "file", _("Slideshow background music file"), "", "")
+dt.preferences.register("slideshowMusic", "SlideshowMusic", "file", _("slideshow background music file"), "", "")
 dt.preferences.register("slideshowMusic",
                         "PlaySlideshowMusic",
                         "bool",
-                        _("Play slideshow background music"),
-                        _("Plays music with rhythmbox if a slideshow starts"),
+                        _("play slideshow background music"),
+                        _("plays music with rhythmbox if a slideshow starts"),
                         true)
 -- Register
 dt.register_event("slideshow_music", "view-changed",
diff --git a/contrib/transfer_hierarchy.lua b/contrib/transfer_hierarchy.lua
index 10c5f0dc..574ef4b9 100755
--- a/contrib/transfer_hierarchy.lua
+++ b/contrib/transfer_hierarchy.lua
@@ -96,10 +96,10 @@ local PATH_SEGMENT_REGEX = "(" .. PATH_SEPARATOR .. "?)([^" .. PATH_SEPARATOR ..
 unpack = unpack or table.unpack
 gmatch = string.gfind or string.gmatch
 
-darktable.gettext.bindtextdomain(LIB_ID, darktable.configuration.config_dir .. PATH_SEPARATOR .. "lua" .. PATH_SEPARATOR .. "locale" .. PATH_SEPARATOR)
+gettext.bindtextdomain("transfer_hierarchy", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return darktable.gettext.dgettext(LIB_ID, msgid)
+    return darktable.gettext.gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- Header material: END
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ end
 -- Widgets and business logic: BEGIN
 
 local sourceTextBox = darktable.new_widget("entry") {
-   tooltip = _("Lowest directory containing all selected images"),
+   tooltip = _("lowest directory containing all selected images"),
    editable = false
 						    }
 sourceTextBox.reset_callback = function() sourceTextBox.text = "" end
@@ -268,17 +268,17 @@ local function doTransfer(transferFunc)
        films[film] = destBase .. string.sub(film.path, #sourceBase+1)
        if not pathExists(films[film]) then
            if createDirectory(films[film]) == nil then
-	       darktable.print(_("transfer hierarchy: ERROR: could not create directory: " .. films[film]))
+	       darktable.print(string.format(_("transfer hierarchy: ERROR: could not create directory: %s"),  films[film]))
 	       return
 	   end
        end
        if not pathIsDirectory(films[film]) then
-           darktable.print(_("transfer hierarchy: ERROR: not a directory: " .. films[film]))
+           darktable.print(string.format(_("transfer hierarchy: ERROR: not a directory: %s"), films[film]))
 	   return
        end
        destFilms[film] = darktable.films.new(films[film])
        if destFilms[film] == nil then
-           darktable.print(_("transfer hierarchy: ERROR: could not create film: " .. film.path))
+           darktable.print(string.format(_("transfer hierarchy: ERROR: could not create film: %s"), film.path))
        end
     end
 
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ local function doTransfer(transferFunc)
        srcFilms[img] = img.film
     end
 
-    local job = darktable.gui.create_job(string.format(_("transfer hierarchy") .. " (%d image" .. (#(darktable.gui.action_images) == 1 and "" or "s") .. ")", #(darktable.gui.action_images)), true, stopTransfer)
+    local job = darktable.gui.create_job(string.format(_("transfer hierarchy (%d image%s)"), #(darktable.gui.action_images), (#(darktable.gui.action_images) == 1 and "" or "s")), true, stopTransfer)
     job.percent = 0.0
     local pctIncrement = 1.0 / #(darktable.gui.action_images)
     for _,img in ipairs(darktable.gui.action_images) do
diff --git a/contrib/video_ffmpeg.lua b/contrib/video_ffmpeg.lua
index 165b5771..5c4369c6 100644
--- a/contrib/video_ffmpeg.lua
+++ b/contrib/video_ffmpeg.lua
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
 local dsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "video_ffmpeg") 
 
@@ -53,10 +53,11 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 local MODULE_NAME = "video_ffmpeg"
 
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("video_ffmpeg", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 
@@ -294,7 +295,7 @@ else
 end
 
 local output_directory_chooser = dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-  title = _("Select export path"),
+  title = _("select export path"),
   is_directory = true,
   tooltip =_("select the target directory for the timelapse. \nthe filename is created automatically."),
   value = string_pref_read("export_path", defaultVideoDir),
@@ -375,7 +376,7 @@ local module_widget = dt.new_widget("box") {
 ---- EXPORT & REGISTRATION
 
 local function show_status(enf_storage, image, format, filename, number, total, high_quality, extra_data)
-  dt.print(_("export ")..tostring(number).." / "..tostring(total))   
+  dt.print(string.format(_("export %d / %d"), number), total))   
 end
 
 local function init_export(storage, img_format, images, high_quality, extra_data)
@@ -465,7 +466,7 @@ end
 
 dt.register_storage(
   "module_video_ffmpeg", 
-  _(MODULE_NAME), 
+  _("video ffmpeg"), 
   show_status, 
   finalize_export,
   nil, 
diff --git a/examples/api_version.lua b/examples/api_version.lua
index f2aaff72..d89416cf 100644
--- a/examples/api_version.lua
+++ b/examples/api_version.lua
@@ -23,6 +23,16 @@ USAGE
 ]] 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 
+-- translation facilities
+
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("api_version", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 -- script_manager integration to allow a script to be removed
 -- without restarting darktable
 local function destroy()
@@ -30,7 +40,8 @@ local function destroy()
 end
 
 local result = dt.configuration.api_version_string
-dt.print_error("API Version: "..result)
+dt.print_log("API Version: " .. result)
+dt.print(string.format(_("API version: %s"), result))
 
 -- set the destroy routine so that script_manager can call it when
 -- it's time to destroy the script and then return the data to 
diff --git a/examples/darkroom_demo.lua b/examples/darkroom_demo.lua
index b4edcc56..2a528883 100644
--- a/examples/darkroom_demo.lua
+++ b/examples/darkroom_demo.lua
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 -- V E R S I O N  C H E C K
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-du.check_min_api_version("5.0.2", "darkroom_mode")  -- darktable 3.0
+du.check_min_api_version("5.0.2", "darkroom_demo")  -- darktable 3.0
 
 -- script_manager integration to allow a script to be removed
 -- without restarting darktable
@@ -52,17 +52,18 @@ end
 -- C O N S T A N T S
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-local MODULE_NAME = "darkroom"
+local MODULE_NAME = "darkroom_demo"
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 -- T R A N S L A T I O N S
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("darkroom_demo", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
@@ -92,13 +93,13 @@ dt.gui.current_view(dt.gui.views.darkroom)
 
 local max_images = 10
 
-dt.print(_("Showing images, with a pause in between each"))
+dt.print(_("showing images, with a pause in between each"))
 sleep(1500)
 
 -- display first 10 images of collection pausing for a second between each
 
 for i, img in ipairs(dt.collection) do 
-  dt.print(_("Displaying image " .. i))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("displaying image "), i))
   dt.gui.views.darkroom.display_image(img)
   sleep(1500)
   if i == max_images then
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ end
 
 -- return to lighttable view
 
-dt.print(_("Restoring view"))
+dt.print(_("restoring view"))
 sleep(1500)
 dt.gui.current_view(current_view)
 
diff --git a/examples/gettextExample.lua b/examples/gettextExample.lua
index 59a676c1..7c1e241f 100644
--- a/examples/gettextExample.lua
+++ b/examples/gettextExample.lua
@@ -67,22 +67,20 @@ end
 -- Not translated Text
 dt.print_error("Hello World!")
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
--- Translate a string using the darktable textdomain
-dt.print_error(gettext.gettext("image"))
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext 
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
+gettext.bindtextdomain("gettextExample", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
-gettext.bindtextdomain("gettextExample",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
--- Translate a string using the specified textdomain
-dt.print_error(gettext.dgettext("gettextExample", 'Hello World!'))
+-- Translate a string using the darktable textdomain
+dt.print_error(gettext("image"))
 
 -- Define a local function called _ to make the code more readable and have it call dgettext 
 -- with the proper domain.
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("gettextExample", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
-dt.print_error(_('Hello World!'))
+
+dt.print_error(_("hello world!"))
 
 -- set the destroy routine so that script_manager can call it when
 -- it's time to destroy the script and then return the data to 
diff --git a/examples/hello_world.lua b/examples/hello_world.lua
index f8fba8d4..75e52ca8 100644
--- a/examples/hello_world.lua
+++ b/examples/hello_world.lua
@@ -29,15 +29,25 @@ USAGE
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
+-- translation facilities
+
 du.check_min_api_version("2.0.0", "hello_world") 
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("hello_world", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 -- script_manager integration to allow a script to be removed
 -- without restarting darktable
 local function destroy()
     -- nothing to destroy
 end
 
-dt.print("hello, world")
+dt.print(_("hello, world"))
 
 -- set the destroy routine so that script_manager can call it when
 -- it's time to destroy the script and then return the data to 
diff --git a/examples/lighttable_demo.lua b/examples/lighttable_demo.lua
index fc071325..6047e889 100644
--- a/examples/lighttable_demo.lua
+++ b/examples/lighttable_demo.lua
@@ -59,11 +59,12 @@ end
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 -- T R A N S L A T I O N S
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("lighttable_demo", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
@@ -145,17 +146,17 @@ sleep(2000)
 
 for n, layout in ipairs(layouts) do
   dt.gui.libs.lighttable_mode.layout(layout)
-  dt.print(_("set lighttable layout to " .. layout))
-  dt.print_log(_("set lighttable layout to " .. layout))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("set lighttable layout to %s"), layout))
+  dt.print_log("set lighttable layout to " .. layout)
   sleep(1500)
   for i = 1, 10 do
     dt.gui.libs.lighttable_mode.zoom_level(i)
-    dt.print(_("Set zoom level to " .. i))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("set zoom level to %d"), i))
     sleep(1500)
   end
   for i = 9, 1, -1 do
     dt.gui.libs.lighttable_mode.zoom_level(i)
-    dt.print(_("Set zoom level to " .. i))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("set zoom level to %d"), i))
     sleep(1500)
   end
 end
@@ -174,12 +175,12 @@ dt.print_log("starting sorts")
 
 for n, sort in ipairs(sorts) do
   dt.gui.libs.filter.sort(sort)
-  dt.print(_("set lighttable sort to " .. sort))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("set lighttable sort to %s"), sort))
   sleep(1500)
 
   for m, sort_order in ipairs(sort_orders) do
     dt.gui.libs.filter.sort_order(sort_order)
-    dt.print(_("sort order set to " .. sort_order))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("sort order set to %s"), sort_order))
     sleep(1500)
   end
 end
@@ -190,12 +191,12 @@ dt.print(_("lighttable filtering demonstration"))
 
 for n, rating in ipairs(ratings) do
   dt.gui.libs.filter.rating(rating)
-  dt.print(_("set filter to " .. rating))
+  dt.print(string.format(_("set filter to %s"), rating))
   sleep(1500)
 
   for m, rating_comparator in ipairs(rating_comparators) do
     dt.gui.libs.filter.rating_comparator(rating_comparator)
-    dt.print(_("set rating comparator to " .. rating_comparator))
+    dt.print(string.format(_("set rating comparator to %s"), rating_comparator))
     sleep(1500)
   end
 end
diff --git a/examples/moduleExample.lua b/examples/moduleExample.lua
index bf5a3253..06ba003e 100644
--- a/examples/moduleExample.lua
+++ b/examples/moduleExample.lua
@@ -47,12 +47,12 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 -- translation
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/index.html#darktable_gettext
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
-gettext.bindtextdomain("moduleExample", dt.configuration.config_dir .. "/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("moduleExample", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("moduleExample", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- declare a local namespace and a couple of variables we'll need to install the module
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ local function install_module()
         orientation = "vertical",
         dt.new_widget("button")
         {
-          label = _("MyButton"),
+          label = _("my button"),
           clicked_callback = function (_)
-            dt.print(_("Button clicked"))
+            dt.print(_("button clicked"))
           end
         },
         table.unpack(mE.widgets),
@@ -105,10 +105,10 @@ local function restart()
 end
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_check_button.html
-local check_button = dt.new_widget("check_button"){label = _("MyCheck_button"), value = true}
+local check_button = dt.new_widget("check_button"){label = _("my check_button"), value = true}
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_combobox.html
-local combobox = dt.new_widget("combobox"){label = _("MyCombobox"), value = 2, "8", "16", "32"}
+local combobox = dt.new_widget("combobox"){label = _("my combobox"), value = 2, "8", "16", "32"}
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_entry.html
 local entry = dt.new_widget("entry")
@@ -117,21 +117,21 @@ local entry = dt.new_widget("entry")
     placeholder = _("placeholder"),
     is_password = false,
     editable = true,
-    tooltip = _("Tooltip Text"),
+    tooltip = _("tooltip text"),
     reset_callback = function(self) self.text = "text" end
 }
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_file_chooser_button.html
 local file_chooser_button = dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button")
 {
-    title = _("MyFile_chooser_button"),  -- The title of the window when choosing a file
+    title = _("my file_chooser_button"),  -- The title of the window when choosing a file
     value = "",                       -- The currently selected file
     is_directory = false              -- True if the file chooser button only allows directories to be selecte
 }
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_label.html
 local label = dt.new_widget("label")
-label.label = _("MyLabel") -- This is an alternative way to the "{}" syntax to set a property 
+label.label = _("my label") -- This is an alternative way to the "{}" syntax to set a property 
 
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_separator.html
 local separator = dt.new_widget("separator"){}
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ local separator = dt.new_widget("separator"){}
 -- https://www.darktable.org/lua-api/types_lua_slider.html
 local slider = dt.new_widget("slider")
 {
-  label = _("MySlider"), 
+  label = _("my slider"), 
   soft_min = 10,      -- The soft minimum value for the slider, the slider can't go beyond this point
   soft_max = 100,     -- The soft maximum value for the slider, the slider can't go beyond this point
   hard_min = 0,       -- The hard minimum value for the slider, the user can't manually enter a value beyond this point
diff --git a/examples/multi_os.lua b/examples/multi_os.lua
index 4ab650ff..8d8758a8 100644
--- a/examples/multi_os.lua
+++ b/examples/multi_os.lua
@@ -70,13 +70,12 @@ local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"  -- system utilities
     translations, inserting this lays the groundwork for anyone who wants to translate the strings.
 ]]
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("multi_os",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("multi_os", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("multi_os", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 --[[
@@ -187,12 +186,12 @@ local function extract_embedded_jpeg(images)
         end
       else
         dt.print_error(image.filename .. " is not a raw file.  No image can be extracted") -- print debugging error message
-        dt.print(image.filename .. " is not a raw file.  No image can be extracted") -- print the error to the screen
+        dt.print(string.format(_("%s is not a raw file, no image can be extracted"), image.filename)) -- print the error to the screen
       end
     end
   else
     dt.print_error("ufraw-batch not found.  Exiting...") -- print debugging error message
-    dt.print("ufraw-batch not found.  Exiting...") -- print the error to the screen
+    dt.print("ufraw-batch not found, exiting...") -- print the error to the screen
   end
 end
 
@@ -216,7 +215,7 @@ end
 if dt.configuration.running_os ~= "linux" then
   local executable = "ufraw-batch"
   local ufraw_batch_path_widget = dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-    title = _("Select ufraw-batch[.exe] executable"),
+    title = _("select ufraw-batch[.exe] executable"),
     value = df.get_executable_path_preference(executable),
     is_directory = false,
     changed_callback = function(self)
@@ -228,7 +227,7 @@ if dt.configuration.running_os ~= "linux" then
   dt.preferences.register("executable_paths", "ufraw-batch", -- name
     "file", -- type
     _('multi_os: ufraw-batch location'),  -- label
-    _('Installed location of ufraw-batch. Requires restart to take effect.'), -- tooltip
+    _('Installed location of ufraw-batch, requires restart to take effect.'), -- tooltip
     "ufraw-batch", -- default
     ufraw_batch_path_widget
   )
@@ -241,7 +240,7 @@ end
 dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
   "multi_os", _("extract embedded jpeg"),
   function(event, images) extract_embedded_jpeg(images) end,
-  "extract embedded jpeg"
+  _("extract embedded jpeg")
 )
   
 --[[
@@ -251,7 +250,7 @@ dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
 dt.register_event(
   "multi_os", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut) extract_embedded_jpeg(dt.gui.action_images) end,
-  "extract embedded jpeg"
+  _("extract embedded jpeg")
 )
 
 --[[
diff --git a/examples/panels_demo.lua b/examples/panels_demo.lua
index 1f74d718..ad7c924e 100644
--- a/examples/panels_demo.lua
+++ b/examples/panels_demo.lua
@@ -53,17 +53,18 @@ end
 -- C O N S T A N T S
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
-local MODULE_NAME = "panels"
+local MODULE_NAME = "panels_demo"
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and  "\\"  or  "/"
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 -- T R A N S L A T I O N S
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-gettext.bindtextdomain(MODULE_NAME, dt.configuration.config_dir..PS.."lua"..PS.."locale"..PS)
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("panels_demo", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-  return gettext.dgettext(MODULE_NAME, msgid)
+  return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
@@ -94,29 +95,29 @@ dt.gui.panel_show_all()
 
 -- hide center_top, center_bottom, left, top, right, bottom in order
 
-dt.print(_("Hiding all panels, one at a tme"))
+dt.print(_("hiding all panels, one at a tme"))
 sleep(1500)
 
 for i = 1, #panels do
-  dt.print(_("Hiding " .. panels[i]))
+  dt.print(_("hiding " .. panels[i]))
   dt.gui.panel_hide(panels[i])
   sleep(1500)
 end
 
 -- display left, then top, then right, then bottom
 
-  dt.print(_("Make panels visible, one at a time"))
+  dt.print(_("make panels visible, one at a time"))
   sleep(1500)
 
   for i = #panels, 1, -1 do
-    dt.print(_("Showing " .. panels[i]))
+    dt.print(_("showing " .. panels[i]))
     dt.gui.panel_show(panels[i])
     sleep(1500)
   end
 
 -- hide all
 
-dt.print(_("Hiding all panels"))
+dt.print(_("hiding all panels"))
 sleep(1500)
 
 dt.gui.panel_hide_all()
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ sleep(1500)
 
 -- show all
 
-dt.print(_("Showing all panels"))
+dt.print(_("showing all panels"))
 sleep(1500)
 
 dt.gui.panel_show_all()
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ sleep(1500)
 
 -- restore
 
-dt.print(_("Restoring panels to starting configuration"))
+dt.print(_("restoring panels to starting configuration"))
 for i = 1, #panels do
   if panel_status[i] then
     dt.gui.panel_show(panels[i])
diff --git a/examples/preferenceExamples.lua b/examples/preferenceExamples.lua
index 99f85188..c9040d85 100644
--- a/examples/preferenceExamples.lua
+++ b/examples/preferenceExamples.lua
@@ -24,28 +24,38 @@ USAGE
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
+-- translation facilities
+
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("preferenceExamples", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 du.check_min_api_version("2.0.1", "preferenceExamples") 
 
 
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference.
                         "preferenceExamplesString",  -- name
                         "string",                     -- type
-                        "Example String",            -- label
-                        "Example String Tooltip",    -- tooltip
+                        _("example string"),            -- label
+                        _("example string tooltip"),    -- tooltip
                         "String")                     -- default
 
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference. 
                         "preferenceExamplesBool",  -- name
                         "bool",                       -- type
-                        "Example Boolean",           -- label
-                        "Example Boolean Tooltip",   -- tooltip
+                        _("example boolean"),           -- label
+                        _("example boolean tooltip"),   -- tooltip
                         true)                         -- default
 
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference. 
                         "preferenceExamplesInteger",  -- name
                         "integer",                    -- type
-                        "Example Integer",           -- label
-                        "Example Integer Tooltip",   -- tooltip
+                        _("example integer"),           -- label
+                        _("example integer tooltip"),   -- tooltip
                         2,                            -- default
                         1,                            -- min
                         99)                           -- max
@@ -53,8 +63,8 @@ dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference. 
                         "preferenceExamplesFloat",  -- name
                         "float",                      -- type
-                        "Example Float",             -- label
-                        "Example Float Tooltip",     -- tooltip
+                        _("example float"),             -- label
+                        _("example float tooltip"),     -- tooltip
                         1.3,                          -- default
                         1,                            -- min
                         99,                           -- max
@@ -63,22 +73,22 @@ dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference. 
                         "preferenceExamplesFile",  -- name
                         "file",                       -- type
-                        "Example File",              -- label
-                        "Example File Tooltip",      -- tooltip
+                        _("example file"),              -- label
+                        _("example file tooltip"),      -- tooltip
                         "")                           -- default
 
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference.
                         "preferenceExamplesDirectory",  -- name
                         "directory",                  -- type
-                        "Example Directory",         -- label
-                        "Example Directory Tooltip", -- tooltip
+                        _("example directory"),         -- label
+                        _("example directory tooltip"), -- tooltip
                         "")                           -- default
 
 dt.preferences.register("preferenceExamples",        -- script: This is a string used to avoid name collision in preferences (i.e namespace). Set it to something unique, usually the name of the script handling the preference.
                         "preferenceExamplesEnum",  -- name
                         "enum",                       -- type
-                        "Example Enum",              -- label
-                        "Example Enum Tooltip",      -- tooltip
+                        _("example enum"),              -- label
+                        _("example enum tooltip"),      -- tooltip
                         "Enum 1",                     -- default
                         "Enum 1", "Enum 2")           -- values
 
diff --git a/examples/printExamples.lua b/examples/printExamples.lua
index b220b7a0..c68ddd59 100644
--- a/examples/printExamples.lua
+++ b/examples/printExamples.lua
@@ -24,6 +24,16 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("5.0.0", "printExamples") 
 
+-- translation facilities
+
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("printExamples", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 -- script_manager integration to allow a script to be removed
 -- without restarting darktable
 local function destroy()
@@ -32,7 +42,7 @@ end
 
 -- Will print a string to the darktable control log (the long
 -- overlayed window that appears over the main panel).
-dt.print("print")
+dt.print(_("print"))
 
 -- This function will print its parameter if the Lua logdomain is
 -- activated. Start darktable with the "-d lua" command line option
diff --git a/examples/running_os.lua b/examples/running_os.lua
index d214b2a9..6a710958 100644
--- a/examples/running_os.lua
+++ b/examples/running_os.lua
@@ -30,13 +30,23 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("5.0.0", "running_os") 
 
+-- translation facilities
+
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("running_os", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 -- script_manager integration to allow a script to be removed
 -- without restarting darktable
 local function destroy()
   -- nothing to destroy
 end
 
-dt.print("You are running: "..dt.configuration.running_os)
+dt.print(string.format(_("you are running: %s"), dt.configuration.running_os))
 
 -- set the destroy routine so that script_manager can call it when
 -- it's time to destroy the script and then return the data to 
diff --git a/official/copy_paste_metadata.lua b/official/copy_paste_metadata.lua
index ffd69c87..a44270ef 100644
--- a/official/copy_paste_metadata.lua
+++ b/official/copy_paste_metadata.lua
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ USAGE
 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "copy_paste_metadata")
 
@@ -58,11 +58,10 @@ local publisher = ""
 local rights = ""
 local tags = {}
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("copy_paste_metadata",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("copy_paste_metadata", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("copy_paste_metadata", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function copy(image)
@@ -147,13 +146,13 @@ dt.gui.libs.image.register_action(
 dt.register_event(
   "capmd1", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut) copy(dt.gui.action_images[1]) end,
-  "copy metadata"
+  _("copy metadata")
 )
 
 dt.register_event(
   "capmd2", "shortcut",
   function(event, shortcut) paste(dt.gui.action_images) end,
-  "paste metadata"
+  _("paste metadata")
 )
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy
diff --git a/official/delete_long_tags.lua b/official/delete_long_tags.lua
index 31ae7994..2c5d0e6e 100644
--- a/official/delete_long_tags.lua
+++ b/official/delete_long_tags.lua
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ local long_tags = {}
 for _,t in ipairs(dt.tags) do
   local len = #t.name
   if len > max_length then
-    print("deleting tag `"..t.name.."' (length: "..len..")")
+    dt.print_log("deleting tag `"..t.name.."' (length: "..len..")")
     table.insert(long_tags, t.name)
   end
 end
diff --git a/official/delete_unused_tags.lua b/official/delete_unused_tags.lua
index 0dfab017..e169068e 100644
--- a/official/delete_unused_tags.lua
+++ b/official/delete_unused_tags.lua
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ for _, t in ipairs(dt.tags) do
 end
 
 for _,name in pairs(unused_tags) do
-  print("deleting tag `" .. name .. "'")
+  dt.print_log("deleting tag `" .. name .. "'")
   tag = dt.tags.find(name)
   tag:delete()
 end
diff --git a/official/enfuse.lua b/official/enfuse.lua
index 35327cfd..9aa5815a 100644
--- a/official/enfuse.lua
+++ b/official/enfuse.lua
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
 
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "\\" or "/"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "enfuse")
 
@@ -52,16 +52,15 @@ script_data.destroy_method = nil -- set to hide for libs since we can't destroy
 script_data.restart = nil -- how to restart the (lib) script after it's been hidden - i.e. make it visible again
 script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only hides them
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("enfuse",dt.configuration.config_dir..PS .. "lua" .. PS .. "locale" .. PS)
-
 local enf = {}
 enf.event_registered = false
 enf.module_installed = false
 enf.lib_widgets = {}
 
+gettext.bindtextdomain("enfuse", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("enfuse", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 local function install_module()
@@ -132,7 +131,7 @@ if enfuse_installed then
     exposure_mu = dt.new_widget("slider")
     {
       label = "exposure mu",
-      tooltip = "center also known as MEAN of Gaussian weighting function (0 <= MEAN <= 1); default: 0.5",
+      tooltip = _("center also known as mean of gaussian weighting function (0 <= mean <= 1); default: 0.5"),
       hard_min = 0,
       hard_max = 1,
       value = dt.preferences.read("enfuse", "exposure_mu", "float")
@@ -141,7 +140,7 @@ if enfuse_installed then
     exposure_mu = dt.new_widget("slider")
     {
       label = "exposure optimum",
-      tooltip = "optimum exposure value, usually the maximum of the weighting function (0 <= OPTIMUM <=1); default 0.5",
+      tooltip = _("optimum exposure value, usually the maximum of the weighting function (0 <= optimum <=1); default 0.5"),
       hard_min = 0,
       hard_max = 1,
       value = dt.preferences.read("enfuse", "exposure_optimum", "float")
@@ -151,7 +150,7 @@ if enfuse_installed then
   local depth = dt.new_widget("combobox")
   {
     label = "depth",
-    tooltip = "the number of bits per channel of the output image",
+    tooltip = _("the number of bits per channel of the output image"),
     value = dt.preferences.read("enfuse", "depth", "integer"),
     changed_callback = function(w) dt.preferences.write("enfuse", "depth", "integer", w.selected) end,
     "8", "16", "32"
@@ -160,14 +159,14 @@ if enfuse_installed then
   local blend_colorspace = dt.new_widget("combobox")
   {
     label = "blend colorspace",
-    tooltip = "Force blending in selected colorspace",
+    tooltip = _("force blending in selected colorspace"),
     changed_callback = function(w) dt.preferences.write("enfuse", "blend_colorspace", "string", w.selected) end,
     "", "identity", "ciecam"
   }
 
   local enfuse_button = dt.new_widget("button")
   {
-    label = enfuse_installed and "run enfuse" or "enfuse not installed",
+    label = enfuse_installed and _("run enfuse") or _("enfuse not installed"),
     clicked_callback = function ()
       -- remember exposure_mu
       -- TODO: find a way to save it whenever the value changes
@@ -185,7 +184,7 @@ if enfuse_installed then
       end
       local f = io.open(response_file, "w")
       if not f then
-        dt.print(string.format(_("Error writing to `%s`"), response_file))
+        dt.print(string.format(_("error writing to '%s'"), response_file))
         os.remove(response_file)
         return
       end
@@ -208,9 +207,9 @@ if enfuse_installed then
           if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
             tmp_exported = dt.configuration.tmp_dir .. tmp_exported -- windows os.tmpname() defaults to root directory
           end
-              dt.print(string.format(_("Converting raw file '%s' to tiff..."), i.filename)) 
+              dt.print(string.format(_("converting raw file '%s' to tiff..."), i.filename)) 
           tiff_exporter:write_image(i, tmp_exported, false)
-          dt.print_log(string.format("Raw file '%s' converted to '%s'", i.filename, tmp_exported))
+          dt.print_log(string.format("raw file '%s' converted to '%s'", i.filename, tmp_exported))
 
           cnt = cnt + 1
           f:write(tmp_exported.."\n")
@@ -218,14 +217,14 @@ if enfuse_installed then
           
         -- other images will be skipped
         else
-          dt.print(string.format(_("Skipping %s..."), i.filename))
+          dt.print(string.format(_("skipping %s..."), i.filename))
           n_skipped = n_skipped + 1
         end
       end
       f:close()
       -- bail out if there is nothing to do
       if cnt == 0 then
-        dt.print(_("No suitable images selected, nothing to do for enfuse"))
+        dt.print(_("no suitable images selected, nothing to do for enfuse"))
         os.remove(response_file)
         return
       end
@@ -251,7 +250,7 @@ if enfuse_installed then
                       ..blend_colorspace_option
                       .." -o \""..output_image.."\" \"@"..response_file.."\""
       if dtsys.external_command( command) > 0 then
-        dt.print(_("Enfuse failed, see terminal output for details"))
+        dt.print(_("enfuse failed, see terminal output for details"))
         os.remove(response_file)
         return
       end
@@ -299,7 +298,7 @@ if enfuse_installed then
 else
   dt.print_error("enfuse executable not found")
   error("enfuse executable not found")
-  dt.print(_("Could not find enfuse executable. Not loading enfuse exporter..."))
+  dt.print(_("could not find enfuse executable, not loading enfuse exporter..."))
 end
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy
diff --git a/official/generate_image_txt.lua b/official/generate_image_txt.lua
index 73b50635..c9559887 100644
--- a/official/generate_image_txt.lua
+++ b/official/generate_image_txt.lua
@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 require "darktable.debug"
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("generate_image_txt", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "generate_image_txt") 
 
 -- return data structure for script_manager
@@ -52,21 +60,21 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 dt.preferences.register("generate_image_txt",
                         "enabled",
                         "bool",
-                        "create txt sidecars to display with images",
-                        "the txt files created get shown when the lighttable is zoomed in to one image. also enable the txt overlay setting in the gui tab",
+                        _("create txt sidecars to display with images"),
+                        _("the txt files created get shown when the lighttable is zoomed in to one image. also enable the txt overlay setting in the gui tab"),
                         false)
 
 dt.preferences.register("generate_image_txt",
                         "command",
                         "string",
-                        "command to generate the txt sidecar",
-                        "the output of this command gets written to the txt file. use $(FILE_NAME) for the image file",
+                        _("command to generate the txt sidecar"),
+                        _("the output of this command gets written to the txt file. use $(FILE_NAME) for the image file"),
                         "exiv2 $(FILE_NAME)")
 
 
 local check_command = function(command)
   if not command:find("$(FILE_NAME)", 1, true) then
-    dt.print("the command for txt sidecars looks bad. better check the preferences")
+    dt.print(_("the command for txt sidecars looks bad. better check the preferences"))
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/official/import_filter_manager.lua b/official/import_filter_manager.lua
index c648c1a4..05bc45dd 100644
--- a/official/import_filter_manager.lua
+++ b/official/import_filter_manager.lua
@@ -32,20 +32,28 @@ USAGE
 
 local dt = require "darktable"
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext 
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("import_filter_manager", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 local import_filter_list = {}
 local n_import_filters = 1
 
 -- allow changing the filter from the preferences
 dt.preferences.register("import_filter_manager", "active_filter", "string",
-  "import filter", "the name of the filter used for importing images", "")
+  _("import filter"), _("the name of the filter used for importing images"), "")
 
 
 -- the dropdown to select the active filter from the import dialog
 local filter_dropdown = dt.new_widget("combobox")
 {
-  label = "import filter",
+  label = _("import filter"),
   editable = false,
-  tooltip = "import filters are applied after completion of the import dialog",
+  tooltip = _("import filters are applied after completion of the import dialog"),
 
   changed_callback = function(widget)
     dt.preferences.write("import_filter_manager", "active_filter", "string", widget.value)
diff --git a/official/import_filters.lua b/official/import_filters.lua
index 584a2718..807dec61 100644
--- a/official/import_filters.lua
+++ b/official/import_filters.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ local dt = require "darktable"
 
 -- ignore jpeg
 dt.register_import_filter("ignore jpegs", function(event, images)
-  dt.print_error("ignoring all jpegs")
+  dt.print_log("ignoring all jpegs")
   for i, img in ipairs(images) do
     local extension = img:match("[^.]*$"):upper()
     if (extension == "JPG") or (extension == "JPEG") then
diff --git a/official/save_selection.lua b/official/save_selection.lua
index b06f933a..f37ad0be 100644
--- a/official/save_selection.lua
+++ b/official/save_selection.lua
@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "save_selection") 
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext 
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("save_selection", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -61,16 +69,16 @@ for i = 1, buffer_count do
   local saved_selection
   dt.register_event("save_selection save " .. i, "shortcut", function()
     saved_selection = dt.gui.selection()
-  end, "save to buffer " .. i)
+  end, string.format(_("save to buffer %d"), i))
   dt.register_event("save_selection restore " .. i, "shortcut", function()
     dt.gui.selection(saved_selection)
-  end, "restore from buffer " .. i)
+  end, string.format(_("restore from buffer %d"), i))
 end
 
 local bounce_buffer = {}
 dt.register_event("save_selection switch", "shortcut", function()
   bounce_buffer = dt.gui.selection(bounce_buffer)
-end, "switch selection with temporary buffer")
+end, _("switch selection with temporary buffer"))
 
 script_data.destroy = destroy
 
diff --git a/official/selection_to_pdf.lua b/official/selection_to_pdf.lua
index 638ae24f..116f0d75 100644
--- a/official/selection_to_pdf.lua
+++ b/official/selection_to_pdf.lua
@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ local du = require "lib/dtutils"
 
 du.check_min_api_version("7.0.0", "selection_to_pdf")
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext 
+
+gettext.bindtextdomain("selection_to_pdf", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
+local function _(msg)
+  return gettext(msg)
+end
+
 -- return data structure for script_manager
 
 local script_data = {}
@@ -49,16 +57,16 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 
 dt.preferences.register
    ("selection_to_pdf","Open with","string",
-    "a pdf viewer",
-    "Can be an absolute pathname or the tool may be in the PATH",
+    _("a pdf viewer"),
+    _("can be an absolute pathname or the tool may be in the PATH"),
     "xdg-open")
 
 local title_widget = dt.new_widget("entry") {
-    placeholder="Title"
+    placeholder = _("title")
 }
 local no_of_thumbs_widget = dt.new_widget("slider")
 {
-    label = "Thumbs per Line", 
+    label = _("thumbs per line"), 
     soft_min = 1,     -- The soft minimum value for the slider, the slider can't go beyond this point
     soft_max = 10,    -- The soft maximum value for the slider, the slider can't go beyond this point
     hard_min = 1,     -- The hard minimum value for the slider, the user can't manually enter a value beyond this point
@@ -66,10 +74,10 @@ local no_of_thumbs_widget = dt.new_widget("slider")
     value = 4         -- The current value of the slider
 }
 local widget = dt.new_widget("box") {
-    orientation=horizontal,
-    dt.new_widget("label"){label = "Title:"},
+    orientation = horizontal,
+    dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("title:")},
     title_widget,
-    dt.new_widget("label"){label = "Thumbnails per row:"},
+    dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("thumbnails per row:")},
     no_of_thumbs_widget
 }
 
@@ -116,7 +124,7 @@ local function destroy()
   dt.print_log("done destroying")
 end
 
-dt.register_storage("export_pdf","Export thumbnails to pdf",
+dt.register_storage(_("export_pdf"),_("export thumbnails to pdf"),
     nil,
     function(storage,image_table)
       local my_title = title_widget.text
@@ -163,7 +171,7 @@ dt.register_storage("export_pdf","Export thumbnails to pdf",
       local command = "pdflatex -halt-on-error -output-directory "..dir.." "..locfile
       local result = dt.control.execute(command)
       if result ~= 0 then
-        dt.print("Problem running pdflatex") -- this one is probably usefull to the user
+        dt.print(_("problem running pdflatex")) -- this one is probably usefull to the user
         error("Problem running "..command)
       end
 
@@ -173,7 +181,7 @@ dt.register_storage("export_pdf","Export thumbnails to pdf",
       command = command.." "..pdffile
       local result = dt.control.execute(command)
       if result ~= 0 then
-        dt.print("Problem running pdf viewer") -- this one is probably usefull to the user
+        dt.print(_("problem running pdf viewer")) -- this one is probably usefull to the user
         error("Problem running "..command)
       end
 
diff --git a/tools/executable_manager.lua b/tools/executable_manager.lua
index a8690ea8..48659746 100644
--- a/tools/executable_manager.lua
+++ b/tools/executable_manager.lua
@@ -45,9 +45,7 @@ script_data.show = nil -- only required for libs since the destroy_method only h
 
 local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "\\" or "/"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
-
-gettext.bindtextdomain("executable_manager",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
 local exec_man = {} -- our own namespace
 exec_man.module_installed = false
@@ -57,8 +55,10 @@ exec_man.event_registered = false
 -- F U N C T I O N S
 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
+gettext.bindtextdomain("executable_manager", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
+
 local function _(msg)
-    return gettext.dgettext("executable_manager", msg)
+    return gettext(msg)
 end
 
 local function grep(file, pattern)
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ local matches = grep(DARKTABLERC, "executable_paths")
 -- check if we have something to manage and exit if not
 
 if #matches == 0 then
-  dt.print(_("No executable paths found, exiting..."))
+  dt.print(_("no executable paths found, exiting..."))
   return
 end
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ for i,exec in ipairs(exec_table) do
     editable = false
   }
   executable_path_widgets[exec] = dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-    title = _("select ") .. exec .. _(" executable"),
+    title = _(string.format("select %s executable", exec)),
     value = df.get_executable_path_preference(exec),
     is_directory = false,
     changed_callback = function(self)
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ for i,exec in ipairs(exec_table) do
     dt.new_widget("section_label"){label = _("reset")},
     dt.new_widget("button"){
       label = _("clear"),
-      tooltip = _("Clear path for ") .. exec,
+      tooltip = string.format(_("clear path for %s"), exec),
       clicked_callback = function()
         df.set_executable_path_preference(exec, "")
         executable_path_widgets[exec].value = ""
diff --git a/tools/gen_i18n_mo.lua b/tools/gen_i18n_mo.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 6aa453c2..00000000
--- a/tools/gen_i18n_mo.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,108 +0,0 @@
---[[
-    gen_18n_mo.lua - generate .mo files from .po files and put them in the correct place
-
-    Copyright (C) 2016,2018 Bill Ferguson <wpferguson@gmail.com>
-
-    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-    the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
-    (at your option) any later version.
-
-    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-    GNU General Public License for more details.
-
-    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-]]
---[[
-    gen_i18n_mo - generate translation files from the source and place them in the appropriate locale directory
-    
-    gen_i18n_mo finds all the .po files scattered throughout the script tree, compiles them into
-    .mo files and places them in the correct locale directory for use by the gettext tools.
-
-]]
-
-local dt = require "darktable"
-local du = require "lib/dtutils"
-local df = require "lib/dtutils.file"
-local log = require "lib/dtutils.log"
-local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
-
-du.check_min_api_version("5.0.0", "gen_I18n_mo")
-
-local function destroy()
-  -- nothing to destroy
-end
-
--- figure out the path separator
-
-local PS = dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" and "\\" or "/"
-
-local LUA_DIR = dt.configuration.config_dir .. PS .. "lua" .. PS
-local LOCALE_DIR = dt.configuration.config_dir .. PS .. "lua" .. PS .. "locale" .. PS
-
--- check if we have msgfmt
-
-local msgfmt_executable = df.check_if_bin_exists("msgfmt")
-
-if msgfmt_executable then
-
-  -- find the .po files
-
-  local find_cmd = "find -L " .. LUA_DIR .. " -name \\*.po -print"
-  if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
-    find_cmd = "dir /b/s " .. LUA_DIR .. "\\*.po"
-  end
-
-  local output = io.popen(find_cmd)
-
-  -- for each .po file....
-
-  for line in output:lines() do
-    local fname = df.get_filename(line)
-
-    -- get the language used...  this depends on the file being named using
-    -- the convention /..../lang/LC_MESSAGES/file.po where lang is de_DE, fr_FR, etc.
-
-    local path_parts = du.split(line, PS)
-    local lang  = path_parts[#path_parts - 2]
-
-    -- ensure there is a destination directory for them
-
-    local mkdir_cmd = "mkdir -p "
-    if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
-      mkdir_cmd = "mkdir "
-    end
-
-    if not df.check_if_file_exists(LOCALE_DIR .. lang .. PS .. "LC_MESSAGES") then
-      log.msg(log.info, "Creating locale", lang)
-      os.execute(mkdir_cmd .. LOCALE_DIR .. lang .. PS .. "LC_MESSAGES")
-    end
-
-    -- generate the mo file
-
-    fname = string.gsub(fname, ".po$", ".mo")
-    log.msg(log.info, "Compiling translation to", fname)
-    local result = os.execute(msgfmt_executable .. " -o " .. LOCALE_DIR .. lang .. PS .. "LC_MESSAGES" .. PS .. fname .. " " .. line)
-  end
-else
-  log.msg(log.screen, "ERROR: msgfmt executable not found.  Please install or specifiy location in preferences.")
-end
-dt.preferences.register("executable_paths", "msgfmt",  -- name
-  "file", -- type
-  'gen_i18n_mo: msgfmt location', -- label
-  'Install location of msgfmt. Requires restart to take effect.',  -- tooltip
-  "msgfmt",  -- default
-  dt.new_widget("file_chooser_button"){
-    title = "Select msgfmt[.exe] file",
-    value = "",
-    is_directory = false,
-  }
-)
-
-local script_data = {}
-script_data.destroy = destroy
-
-return script_data
diff --git a/tools/script_manager.lua b/tools/script_manager.lua
index e65cd204..22997ddd 100644
--- a/tools/script_manager.lua
+++ b/tools/script_manager.lua
@@ -56,14 +56,14 @@ local dtsys = require "lib/dtutils.system"
 local log = require "lib/dtutils.log"
 local debug = require "darktable.debug"
 
-local gettext = dt.gettext
+-- set up translation
 
+local gettext = dt.gettext.gettext
 
--- Tell gettext where to find the .mo file translating messages for a particular domain
-gettext.bindtextdomain("script_manager",dt.configuration.config_dir.."/lua/locale/")
+gettext.bindtextdomain("script_manager", dt.configuration.config_dir .."/lua/locale/")
 
 local function _(msgid)
-    return gettext.dgettext("script_manager", msgid)
+    return gettext(msgid)
 end
 
 -- api check
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ local function get_script_doc(script)
     -- assume that the second block comment is the documentation
     description = string.match(content, "%-%-%[%[.-%]%].-%-%-%[%[(.-)%]%]")
   else
-    log.msg(log.error, _("Cant read from " .. script))
+    log.msg(log.error, "Cant read from " .. script)
   end
   if description then
     restore_log_level(old_log_level)
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ local function activate(script)
     script_manager_running_script = nil
     if status then
       pref_write(script.script_name, "bool", true)
-      log.msg(log.screen, _("Loaded ") .. script.script_name)
+      log.msg(log.screen, string.format(_("loaded %s"), script.script_name))
       script.running = true
       if err ~= true then
         log.msg(log.debug, "got lib data")
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ local function activate(script)
         script.data = nil
       end
      else
-      log.msg(log.screen, script.script_name .. _(" failed to load"))
+      log.msg(log.screen, string.format(_("%s failed to load"), script.script_name))
       log.msg(log.error, "Error loading " .. script.script_name)
       log.msg(log.error, "Error message: " .. err)
     end
@@ -443,11 +443,11 @@ local function deactivate(script)
       script.running = false
     end
     log.msg(log.info, "turned off " .. script.script_name)
-    log.msg(log.screen, script.name .. _(" stopped"))
+    log.msg(log.screen, string.format(_("%s stopped"), script.name))
   else
     script.running = false
     log.msg(log.info, "setting " .. script.script_name .. " to not start")
-    log.msg(log.screen, script.name .. _(" will not start when darktable is restarted"))
+    log.msg(log.screen, string.format(_("%s will not start when darktable is restarted"), script.name))
   end
   restore_log_level(old_log_level)
 end
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ local function scan_scripts(script_dir)
   if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
     find_cmd = "dir /b/s \"" .. script_dir .. "\\*.lua\" | sort"
   end
-  log.msg(log.debug, _("find command is ") .. find_cmd)
+  log.msg(log.debug, "find command is " .. find_cmd)
   -- scan the scripts
   local output = io.popen(find_cmd)
   for line in output:lines() do
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ local function update_scripts()
   local git = sm.executables.git
 
   if not git then
-    dt.print(_("ERROR: git not found.  Install or specify the location of the git executable."))
+    dt.print(_("ERROR: git not found, install or specify the location of the git executable."))
     return
   end
 
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ local function scan_repositories()
   if dt.configuration.running_os == "windows" then
     find_cmd = "dir /b/s /a:d " .. LUA_DIR .. PS .. "*.git | sort"
   end
-  log.msg(log.debug, _("find command is ") .. find_cmd)
+  log.msg(log.debug, "find command is " .. find_cmd)
   local output = io.popen(find_cmd)
   for line in output:lines() do
     local l = string.gsub(line, ds.sanitize_lua(LUA_DIR) .. PS, "")   -- strip the lua dir off
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ local function install_scripts()
   local category = sm.widgets.new_category.text
 
   if string.match(du.join(sm.categories, " "), ds.sanitize_lua(category)) then
-    log.msg(log.screen, _("category ") .. category .. _(" is already in use. Please specify a different category name."))
+    log.msg(log.screen, string.format(_("category %s is already in use, please specify a different category name."), category))
     log.msg(log.error, "category " .. category .. " already exists, returning...")
     restore_log_level(old_log_level)
     return
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ local function install_scripts()
   local git = sm.executables.git
 
   if not git then
-    dt.print(_("ERROR: git not found.  Install or specify the location of the git executable."))
+    dt.print(_("ERROR: git not found, install or specify the location of the git executable."))
     restore_log_level(old_log_level)
     return
   end
@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ local function install_scripts()
     local count = scan_scripts(LUA_DIR .. PS .. category)
     if count > 0 then
       update_combobox_choices(sm.widgets.category_selector, sm.categories, sm.widgets.category_selector.selected)
-      dt.print(_("scripts successfully installed into category ") .. category)
+      dt.print(string.format(_("scripts successfully installed into category "), category))
       table.insert(sm.installed_repositories, {name = category, directory = LUA_DIR .. PS .. category})
       update_script_update_choices()
       for i = 1, #sm.widgets.category_selector do
@@ -674,7 +674,7 @@ local function install_scripts()
       sm.widgets.new_category.text = ""
       sm.widgets.main_menu.selected = 3
     else
-      dt.print(_("No scripts found to install"))
+      dt.print(_("no scripts found to install"))
       log.msg(log.error, "scan_scripts returned " .. count .. " scripts found.  Not adding to category_selector")
     end
   else
@@ -719,14 +719,14 @@ local function populate_buttons(category, first, last)
         button.label = script.name
         button.name = "sm_started"
       else
-        button.label = script.name .. _(" started")
+        button.label = string.format(_("%s started"), script.name)
       end
     else
       if sm.use_color then
         button.label = script.name
         button.name = "sm_stopped"
       else
-        button.label = script.name .. _(" stopped")
+        button.label = string.format(_("%s stopped"), script.name)
       end
     end
     button.ellipsize = "middle"
@@ -749,7 +749,7 @@ local function populate_buttons(category, first, last)
           if sm.use_color then
             this.name = "sm_stopped"
           else
-            this.label = script.name .. _(" stopped")
+            this.label = string.format(_("%s stopped"), script.name)
           end
         else
           log.msg(log.debug, "activating " .. script.name .. " on " .. script.path .. " for button " .. this.label)
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ local function populate_buttons(category, first, last)
             if sm.use_color then
               this.name = "sm_started"
             else
-              this.label = script.name .. " started"
+              this.label = string.format(_("%s started"), script.name)
             end
           end
         end
@@ -826,7 +826,7 @@ local function paginate(direction)
   else
     last = first + sm.page_status.num_buttons - 1
   end
-  sm.widgets.page_status.label = _("Page ") .. cur_page .. _(" of ") .. max_pages
+  sm.widgets.page_status.label = string.format(_("page %d of %d"), cur_page, max_pages)
 
   populate_buttons(category, first, last)
   restore_log_level(old_log_level)
@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ sm.widgets.add_scripts = dt.new_widget("box"){
 }
 
 sm.widgets.allow_disable = dt.new_widget("check_button"){
-  label = _('Enable "Disable Scripts" button'),
+  label = _('enable "disable scripts" button'),
   value = false,
   clicked_callback = function(this)
     if this.value == true then
@@ -1099,7 +1099,7 @@ sm.widgets.allow_disable = dt.new_widget("check_button"){
 }
 
 sm.widgets.disable_scripts = dt.new_widget("button"){
-  label = _("Disable Scripts"),
+  label = _("disable scripts"),
   sensitive = false,
   clicked_callback = function(this)
     local LUARC = dt.configuration.config_dir .. PS .. "luarc"
@@ -1125,7 +1125,7 @@ sm.widgets.install_update = dt.new_widget("box"){
 
 sm.widgets.category_selector = dt.new_widget("combobox"){
   label = _("category"),
-  tooltip = _( "select the script category"),
+  tooltip = _("select the script category"),
   selected = 1,
   changed_callback = function(self)
     if sm.run then
@@ -1145,7 +1145,7 @@ end
 local page_back = "<"
 local page_forward = ">"
 
-sm.widgets.page_status = dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("Page:")}
+sm.widgets.page_status = dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("page:")}
 sm.widgets.page_back = dt.new_widget("button"){
   label = page_back,
   clicked_callback = function(this)
@@ -1173,7 +1173,7 @@ sm.widgets.page_control = dt.new_widget("box"){
 
 sm.widgets.scripts = dt.new_widget("box"){
   orientation = vertical,
-  dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("Scripts")},
+  dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("scripts")},
   sm.widgets.category_selector,
   sm.widgets.page_control,
   table.unpack(sm.widgets.buttons)
@@ -1202,7 +1202,7 @@ sm.widgets.change_buttons = dt.new_widget("button"){
 
 sm.widgets.configure = dt.new_widget("box"){
   orientation = "vertical",
-  dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("Configuration")},
+  dt.new_widget("label"){label = _("configuration")},
   sm.widgets.num_buttons,
   sm.widgets.change_buttons,
 }