diff --git a/src/bind_config.c b/src/bind_config.c
index 35f04eaa6..e40055ee6 100644
--- a/src/bind_config.c
+++ b/src/bind_config.c
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ int config_parse(const char *json)
     if (conf) {
         json_config(conf); 
         cJSON_Delete(conf);
+        init_locales();
         return 0;
     } else {
         int line;
diff --git a/src/bindings.c b/src/bindings.c
index 6021339fd..58779bc0a 100755
--- a/src/bindings.c
+++ b/src/bindings.c
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ static int tolua_translate(lua_State * L)
   const char *lang = tolua_tostring(L, 2, 0);
   struct locale *loc = lang ? get_locale(lang) : default_locale;
   if (loc) {
-    str = locale_string(loc, str);
+    str = LOC(loc, str);
     tolua_pushstring(L, str);
     return 1;
   }
diff --git a/src/creport.c b/src/creport.c
index 0bfe10033..7d0963165 100644
--- a/src/creport.c
+++ b/src/creport.c
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ static const char *crtag(const char *key)
     static const struct locale *lang = NULL;
     if (!lang)
         lang = get_locale(TAG_LOCALE);
-    return locale_string(lang, key);
+    return LOC(lang, key);
 }
 #else
 #define crtag(x) (x)
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ cr_output_curses(FILE * F, const faction * viewer, const void *obj, objtype_t ty
                     fputs("EFFECTS\n", F);
                 }
                 fprintf(F, "\"%d %s\"\n", data->value, translate(key,
-                    locale_string(default_locale, key)));
+                    LOC(default_locale, key)));
             }
         }
         a = a->next;
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ static int cr_resource(variant var, char *buffer, const void *userdata)
     if (r) {
         const char *key = resourcename(r, 0);
         sprintf(buffer, "\"%s\"",
-            translate(key, locale_string(report->locale, key)));
+            translate(key, LOC(report->locale, key)));
         return 0;
     }
     return -1;
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ static int cr_race(variant var, char *buffer, const void *userdata)
     const struct race *rc = (const race *)var.v;
     const char *key = rc_name_s(rc, NAME_SINGULAR);
     sprintf(buffer, "\"%s\"",
-        translate(key, locale_string(report->locale, key)));
+        translate(key, LOC(report->locale, key)));
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ const faction * f, const region * r)
     if (sh->display && sh->display[0])
         fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Beschr\n", sh->display);
     fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Typ\n", translate(sh->type->_name,
-        locale_string(f->locale, sh->type->_name)));
+        LOC(f->locale, sh->type->_name)));
     fprintf(F, "%d;Groesse\n", sh->size);
     if (sh->damage) {
         int percent =
@@ -839,20 +839,20 @@ static void cr_output_unit(FILE * F, const region * r, const faction * f,
         if (u->faction == f && fval(u_race(u), RCF_SHAPESHIFTANY)) {
             const char *zRace = rc_name_s(u_race(u), NAME_PLURAL);
             fprintf(F, "\"%s\";wahrerTyp\n",
-                translate(zRace, locale_string(f->locale, zRace)));
+                translate(zRace, LOC(f->locale, zRace)));
         }
     }
     else {
         const race *irace = u_irace(u);
         const char *zRace = rc_name_s(irace, NAME_PLURAL);
         fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Typ\n",
-            translate(zRace, locale_string(f->locale, zRace)));
+            translate(zRace, LOC(f->locale, zRace)));
         if (u->faction == f && irace != u_race(u)) {
             assert(skill_enabled(SK_STEALTH)
                 || !"we're resetting this on load, so.. ircase should never be used");
             zRace = rc_name_s(u_race(u), NAME_PLURAL);
             fprintf(F, "\"%s\";wahrerTyp\n",
-                translate(zRace, locale_string(f->locale, zRace)));
+                translate(zRace, LOC(f->locale, zRace)));
         }
     }
 
@@ -902,7 +902,7 @@ static void cr_output_unit(FILE * F, const region * r, const faction * f,
         c = hp_status(u);
         if (c && *c && (u->faction == f || omniscient(f))) {
             fprintf(F, "\"%s\";hp\n", translate(c,
-                locale_string(u->faction->locale, c)));
+                LOC(u->faction->locale, c)));
         }
         if (fval(u, UFL_HERO)) {
             fputs("1;hero\n", F);
@@ -998,8 +998,7 @@ static void cr_output_unit(FILE * F, const region * r, const faction * f,
             pr = 1;
             fputs("GEGENSTAENDE\n", F);
         }
-        fprintf(F, "%d;%s\n", in, translate(ic, locale_string(f->locale,
-            ic)));
+        fprintf(F, "%d;%s\n", in, translate(ic, LOC(f->locale, ic)));
     }
 
     cr_output_curses(F, f, u, TYP_UNIT);
@@ -1294,8 +1293,7 @@ static void cr_output_region(FILE * F, report_context * ctx, seen_region * sr)
     }
     tname = terrain_name(r);
 
-    fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Terrain\n", translate(tname, locale_string(f->locale,
-        tname)));
+    fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Terrain\n", translate(tname, LOC(f->locale, tname)));
     if (sr->mode != see_unit)
         fprintf(F, "\"%s\";visibility\n", visibility[sr->mode]);
     if (sr->mode == see_neighbour) {
@@ -1359,12 +1357,12 @@ static void cr_output_region(FILE * F, report_context * ctx, seen_region * sr)
                         if (lux) {
                             const char *ch = resourcename(lux->rtype, 0);
                             fprintf(F, "%d;%s\n", 1, translate(ch,
-                                locale_string(f->locale, ch)));
+                                LOC(f->locale, ch)));
                         }
                         if (herb) {
                             const char *ch = resourcename(herb->rtype, 0);
                             fprintf(F, "%d;%s\n", 1, translate(ch,
-                                locale_string(f->locale, ch)));
+                                LOC(f->locale, ch)));
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -1376,7 +1374,7 @@ static void cr_output_region(FILE * F, report_context * ctx, seen_region * sr)
                         fprintf(F, "%d;%s\n", (dmd->value
                             ? dmd->value * dmd->type->price
                             : -dmd->type->price),
-                            translate(ch, locale_string(f->locale, ch)));
+                            translate(ch, LOC(f->locale, ch)));
                         dmd = dmd->next;
                     }
                 }
@@ -1491,7 +1489,7 @@ report_computer(const char *filename, report_context * ctx, const char *charset)
     faction *f = ctx->f;
     const char *prefix;
     region *r;
-    const char *mailto = locale_string(f->locale, "mailto");
+    const char *mailto = LOC(f->locale, "mailto");
     const attrib *a;
     seen_region *sr = NULL;
 #if SCORE_MODULE
@@ -1530,7 +1528,7 @@ report_computer(const char *filename, report_context * ctx, const char *charset)
     fprintf(F, "%d.%d.%d;Build\n", VERSION_MAJOR, VERSION_MINOR, VERSION_BUILD);
     if (mailto != NULL) {
         fprintf(F, "\"%s\";mailto\n", mailto);
-        fprintf(F, "\"%s\";mailcmd\n", locale_string(f->locale, "mailcmd"));
+        fprintf(F, "\"%s\";mailcmd\n", LOC(f->locale, "mailcmd"));
     }
 
     show_alliances_cr(F, f);
@@ -1651,8 +1649,7 @@ report_computer(const char *filename, report_context * ctx, const char *charset)
             continue;
         ch = resourcename(ptype->itype->rtype, 0);
         fprintf(F, "TRANK %d\n", hashstring(ch));
-        fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Name\n", translate(ch, locale_string(f->locale,
-            ch)));
+        fprintf(F, "\"%s\";Name\n", translate(ch, LOC(f->locale, ch)));
         fprintf(F, "%d;Stufe\n", ptype->level);
 
         if (description == NULL) {
@@ -1669,8 +1666,7 @@ report_computer(const char *filename, report_context * ctx, const char *charset)
 
             while (m->number) {
                 ch = resourcename(m->rtype, 0);
-                fprintf(F, "\"%s\"\n", translate(ch, locale_string(f->locale,
-                    ch)));
+                fprintf(F, "\"%s\"\n", translate(ch, LOC(f->locale, ch)));
                 m++;
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/direction.c b/src/direction.c
index c74434fb3..66603663c 100644
--- a/src/direction.c
+++ b/src/direction.c
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ void init_directions(struct locale *lang) {
     register_special_direction(lang, "vortex");
 
     for (i = 0; dirs[i].direction != NODIRECTION; ++i) {
-        const char *str = locale_string(lang, dirs[i].name);
+        const char *str = locale_string(lang, dirs[i].name, false);
         if (str) {
             variant token;
             token.i = dirs[i].direction;
diff --git a/src/kernel/building.c b/src/kernel/building.c
index bd3463744..a382a63bf 100644
--- a/src/kernel/building.c
+++ b/src/kernel/building.c
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ const building_type *findbuildingtype(const char *name,
         for (qi = 0, ql = buildingtypes; ql; ql_advance(&ql, &qi, 1)) {
             building_type *btype = (building_type *)ql_get(ql, qi);
 
-            const char *n = locale_string(lang, btype->_name);
+            const char *n = LOC(lang, btype->_name);
             type.v = (void *)btype;
             addtoken(&bn->names, n, type);
         }
diff --git a/src/kernel/config.c b/src/kernel/config.c
index 8cf3e0805..413f4d253 100644
--- a/src/kernel/config.c
+++ b/src/kernel/config.c
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ bool ExpensiveMigrants(void)
         gamecookie = global.cookie;
         value = get_param_int(global.parameters, "study.expensivemigrants", 0);
     }
-    return value;
+    return value!=0;
 }
 
 /** Specifies automatic alliance modes.
@@ -932,12 +932,12 @@ void init_terrains_translation(const struct locale *lang) {
         variant var;
         const char *name;
         var.v = (void *)terrain;
-        name = LOC(lang, terrain->_name);
+        name = locale_string(lang, terrain->_name, false);
         if (name) {
             addtoken(tokens, name, var);
         }
         else {
-            log_error("no translation for terrain %s in locale %s", terrain->_name, locale_name(lang));
+            log_debug("no translation for terrain %s in locale %s", terrain->_name, locale_name(lang));
         }
     }
 }
@@ -951,12 +951,12 @@ void init_options_translation(const struct locale * lang) {
         variant var;
         var.i = i;
         if (options[i]) {
-            const char *name = LOC(lang, options[i]);
+            const char *name = locale_string(lang, options[i], false);
             if (name) {
                 addtoken(tokens, name, var);
             }
             else {
-                log_error("no translation for OPTION %s in locale %s", options[i], locale_name(lang));
+                log_debug("no translation for OPTION %s in locale %s", options[i], locale_name(lang));
             }
         }
     }
@@ -1006,9 +1006,9 @@ void init_locale(struct locale *lang)
     for (rc = races; rc; rc = rc->next) {
         const char *name;
         var.v = (void *)rc;
-        name = LOC(lang, rc_name_s(rc, NAME_PLURAL));
+        name = locale_string(lang, rc_name_s(rc, NAME_PLURAL), false);
         if (name) addtoken(tokens, name, var);
-        name = LOC(lang, rc_name_s(rc, NAME_SINGULAR));
+        name = locale_string(lang, rc_name_s(rc, NAME_SINGULAR), false);
         if (name) addtoken(tokens, name, var);
     }
 
@@ -1693,7 +1693,7 @@ order *default_order(const struct locale *lang)
     assert(i < MAXLOCALES);
     result = defaults[i];
     if (!result && usedefault) {
-        const char * str = locale_string(lang, "defaultorder");
+        const char * str = LOC(lang, "defaultorder");
         if (str) {
             result = defaults[i] = parse_order(str, lang);
         }
diff --git a/src/kernel/item.c b/src/kernel/item.c
index b09ea1b67..584f8b0a2 100644
--- a/src/kernel/item.c
+++ b/src/kernel/item.c
@@ -1045,7 +1045,7 @@ static int add_resourcename_cb(const void * match, const void * key, size_t keyl
     cb_get_kv(match, &rtype, sizeof(rtype));
     for (i = 0; i != 2; ++i) {
         char buffer[128];
-        const char * name = locale_string(lang, resourcename(rtype, (i==0) ? 0 : NMF_PLURAL));
+        const char * name = LOC(lang, resourcename(rtype, (i == 0) ? 0 : NMF_PLURAL));
 
         if (name && transliterate(buffer, sizeof(buffer), name)) {
             size_t len = strlen(buffer);
@@ -1096,7 +1096,7 @@ static int add_itemname_cb(const void * match, const void * key, size_t keylen,
         int i;
         for (i = 0; i != 2; ++i) {
             char buffer[128];
-            const char * name = locale_string(lang, resourcename(rtype, (i == 0) ? 0 : NMF_PLURAL));
+            const char * name = LOC(lang, resourcename(rtype, (i == 0) ? 0 : NMF_PLURAL));
 
             if (name && transliterate(buffer, sizeof(buffer), name)) {
                 size_t len = strlen(buffer);
diff --git a/src/kernel/jsonconf.test.c b/src/kernel/jsonconf.test.c
index 500c952ec..4c8c8a0fc 100644
--- a/src/kernel/jsonconf.test.c
+++ b/src/kernel/jsonconf.test.c
@@ -373,8 +373,8 @@ static void test_skills(CuTest * tc)
     CuAssertIntEquals(tc, SK_CROSSBOW, get_skill("kreuz", lang));
     CuAssertIntEquals(tc, SK_ALCHEMY, get_skill("alchemie", lang));
 
-    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "ALCHEMIE", locale_string(lang, "skill::alchemy"));
-    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "ARMBRUST", locale_string(lang, "skill::crossbow"));
+    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "ALCHEMIE", LOC(lang, "skill::alchemy"));
+    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "ARMBRUST", LOC(lang, "skill::crossbow"));
 
     test_cleanup();
 }
@@ -396,8 +396,8 @@ static void test_keywords(CuTest * tc)
     CuAssertIntEquals(tc, K_STUDY, get_keyword("lerne", lang));
     CuAssertIntEquals(tc, K_MOVE, get_keyword("nach", lang));
 
-    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "LERNEN", locale_string(lang, "keyword::study"));
-    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "NACH", locale_string(lang, "keyword::move"));
+    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "LERNEN", LOC(lang, "keyword::study"));
+    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "NACH", LOC(lang, "keyword::move"));
 
     test_cleanup();
 }
@@ -413,10 +413,10 @@ static void test_strings(CuTest * tc)
     test_cleanup();
     lang = get_or_create_locale("de");
     CuAssertPtrNotNull(tc, lang);
-    CuAssertPtrEquals(tc, NULL, (void *)locale_string(lang, "move"));
+    CuAssertPtrEquals(tc, NULL, (void *)LOC(lang, "move"));
     json_config(json);
-    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "NACH", locale_string(lang, "move"));
-    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "LERNEN", locale_string(lang, "study"));
+    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "NACH", LOC(lang, "move"));
+    CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "LERNEN", LOC(lang, "study"));
 }
 
 static void test_infinitive_from_config(CuTest *tc) {
diff --git a/src/kernel/order.c b/src/kernel/order.c
index 165769807..bf1001469 100644
--- a/src/kernel/order.c
+++ b/src/kernel/order.c
@@ -388,8 +388,6 @@ order *parse_order(const char *s, const struct locale * lang)
 bool is_repeated(const order * ord)
 {
     keyword_t kwd = ORD_KEYWORD(ord);
-    int result = 0;
-
     switch (kwd) {
     case K_CAST:
     case K_BUY:
@@ -411,13 +409,12 @@ bool is_repeated(const order * ord)
     case K_MAKE:
     case K_LOOT:
     case K_DESTROY:
-        result = 1;
-        break;
+        return true;
 
     default:
-        result = 0;
+        break;
     }
-    return result;
+    return false;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -431,7 +428,6 @@ bool is_repeated(const order * ord)
 bool is_exclusive(const order * ord)
 {
     keyword_t kwd = ORD_KEYWORD(ord);
-    int result = 0;
 
     switch (kwd) {
     case K_MOVE:
@@ -452,13 +448,12 @@ bool is_exclusive(const order * ord)
     case K_MAKE:
     case K_LOOT:
     case K_DESTROY:
-        result = 1;
-        break;
+        return true;
 
     default:
-        result = 0;
+        break;
     }
-    return result;
+    return false;
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index 95a85cf3b..059f960ad 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -1568,7 +1568,7 @@ int readgame(const char *filename, int backup)
             sh->type = st_find(name);
             if (sh->type == NULL) {
                 /* old datafiles */
-                sh->type = st_find((const char *)locale_string(default_locale, name));
+                sh->type = st_find((const char *)LOC(default_locale, name));
             }
             assert(sh->type || !"ship_type not registered!");
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/ship.c b/src/kernel/ship.c
index 0cf04918c..19f3fa743 100644
--- a/src/kernel/ship.c
+++ b/src/kernel/ship.c
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ const ship_type *findshiptype(const char *name, const struct locale *lang)
         for (qi = 0, ql = shiptypes; ql; ql_advance(&ql, &qi, 1)) {
             ship_type *stype = (ship_type *)ql_get(ql, qi);
             variant var2;
-            const char *n = locale_string(lang, stype->_name);
+            const char *n = LOC(lang, stype->_name);
             var2.v = (void *)stype;
             addtoken(&sn->names, n, var2);
         }
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.c b/src/kernel/unit.c
index e837e6b15..efd39bab9 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.c
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.c
@@ -1883,7 +1883,7 @@ char *write_unitname(const unit * u, char *buffer, size_t size)
     } else {
         const struct locale * lang = u->faction ? u->faction->locale : default_locale;
         const char * name = rc_name_s(u->_race, u->number == 1 ? NAME_SINGULAR : NAME_PLURAL);
-        slprintf(buffer, size, "%s (%s)", locale_string(lang, name), itoa36(u->no));
+        slprintf(buffer, size, "%s (%s)", LOC(lang, name), itoa36(u->no));
     }
     buffer[size - 1] = 0;
     return buffer;
@@ -1902,8 +1902,8 @@ bool unit_name_equals_race(const unit *u) {
         rc_name(u->_race, NAME_SINGULAR, sing, sizeof(sing));
         rc_name(u->_race, NAME_PLURAL, plur, sizeof(plur));
         if (strcmp(u->name, sing) == 0 || strcmp(u->name, plur) == 0 ||
-            strcmp(u->name, locale_string(lang, sing)) == 0 ||
-            strcmp(u->name, locale_string(lang, plur)) == 0) {
+            strcmp(u->name, LOC(lang, sing)) == 0 ||
+            strcmp(u->name, LOC(lang, plur)) == 0) {
             return true;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/laws.c b/src/laws.c
index 0c01f0471..1715bede1 100755
--- a/src/laws.c
+++ b/src/laws.c
@@ -968,7 +968,7 @@ static bool CheckOverload(void)
     if (value < 0) {
         value = get_param_int(global.parameters, "rules.check_overload", 0);
     }
-    return value;
+    return value!=0;
 }
 
 int enter_ship(unit * u, struct order *ord, int id, bool report)
@@ -1411,11 +1411,11 @@ static void init_prefixnames(void)
             for (key = 0; race_prefixes[key]; ++key) {
                 variant var;
                 const char *pname =
-                    locale_string(lang, mkname("prefix", race_prefixes[key]));
+                    LOC(lang, mkname("prefix", race_prefixes[key]));
                 if (findtoken(in->names, pname, &var) == E_TOK_NOMATCH || var.i != key) {
                     var.i = key;
                     addtoken(&in->names, pname, var);
-                    addtoken(&in->names, locale_string(lang, mkname("prefix",
+                    addtoken(&in->names, LOC(lang, mkname("prefix",
                         race_prefixes[key])), var);
                 }
             }
@@ -2209,7 +2209,7 @@ static bool display_item(faction * f, unit * u, const item_type * itype)
     info = locale_getstring(f->locale, key);
 
     if (info == NULL) {
-        info = locale_string(f->locale, mkname("iteminfo", "no_info"));
+        info = LOC(f->locale, mkname("iteminfo", "no_info"));
     }
     ADDMSG(&f->msgs, msg_message("displayitem", "weight item description",
         itype->weight, itype->rtype, info));
@@ -2261,7 +2261,7 @@ static bool display_race(faction * f, unit * u, const race * rc)
     key = mkname("raceinfo", rc->_name);
     info = locale_getstring(f->locale, key);
     if (info == NULL) {
-        info = locale_string(f->locale, mkname("raceinfo", "no_info"));
+        info = LOC(f->locale, mkname("raceinfo", "no_info"));
     }
 
     bytes = (int)strlcpy(bufp, info, size);
diff --git a/src/lighthouse.c b/src/lighthouse.c
index f05687e69..da9d489dd 100644
--- a/src/lighthouse.c
+++ b/src/lighthouse.c
@@ -104,9 +104,9 @@ bool check_leuchtturm(region * r, faction * f)
 {
     attrib *a;
 
-    if (!fval(r->terrain, SEA_REGION))
+    if (!fval(r->terrain, SEA_REGION)) {
         return false;
-
+    }
     for (a = a_find(r->attribs, &at_lighthouse); a && a->type == &at_lighthouse;
         a = a->next) {
         building *b = (building *)a->data.v;
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ bool check_leuchtturm(region * r, faction * f)
             }
             else {
                 /* E3A rule: no perception req'd */
-                return maxd;
+                return true;
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/report.c b/src/report.c
index 3500e938f..94f384803 100644
--- a/src/report.c
+++ b/src/report.c
@@ -1025,7 +1025,7 @@ static void describe(FILE * F, const seen_region * sr, faction * f)
 
         if (r->land->ownership) {
             const char *str =
-                locale_string(f->locale, mkname("morale", itoa10(r->land->morale)));
+                LOC(f->locale, mkname("morale", itoa10(r->land->morale)));
             bytes = _snprintf(bufp, size, " %s", str);
             if (wrptr(&bufp, &size, bytes) != 0)
                 WARN_STATIC_BUFFER();
@@ -1701,7 +1701,7 @@ show_allies(const faction * f, const ally * allies, char *buf, size_t size)
         if (wrptr(&bufp, &size, bytes) != 0)
             WARN_STATIC_BUFFER();
         if ((mode & HELP_ALL) == HELP_ALL) {
-            bytes = (int)strlcpy(bufp, locale_string(f->locale, parameters[P_ANY]), size);
+            bytes = (int)strlcpy(bufp, LOC(f->locale, parameters[P_ANY]), size);
             if (wrptr(&bufp, &size, bytes) != 0)
                 WARN_STATIC_BUFFER();
         }
@@ -1736,7 +1736,7 @@ show_allies(const faction * f, const ally * allies, char *buf, size_t size)
                         if (wrptr(&bufp, &size, bytes) != 0)
                             WARN_STATIC_BUFFER();
                     }
-                    bytes = (int)strlcpy(bufp, locale_string(f->locale, parameters[p]), size);
+                    bytes = (int)strlcpy(bufp, LOC(f->locale, parameters[p]), size);
                     if (wrptr(&bufp, &size, bytes) != 0)
                         WARN_STATIC_BUFFER();
                     hh = 1;
diff --git a/src/reports.c b/src/reports.c
index e478a0200..f770bb655 100644
--- a/src/reports.c
+++ b/src/reports.c
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ const char **name, const char **basename, int *number, bool singular)
     if (owner && owner->faction == viewer) {
         if (name)
             *name =
-            locale_string(viewer->locale, resourcename(i->type->rtype,
+            LOC(viewer->locale, resourcename(i->type->rtype,
             ((i->number != 1 && !singular) ? GR_PLURAL : 0)));
         if (basename)
             *basename = resourcename(i->type->rtype, 0);
@@ -163,19 +163,19 @@ const char **name, const char **basename, int *number, bool singular)
             *number = 1;
         if (pp > 50000 && dragonrace(u_race(owner))) {
             if (name)
-                *name = locale_string(viewer->locale, "dragonhoard");
+                *name = LOC(viewer->locale, "dragonhoard");
             if (basename)
                 *basename = "dragonhoard";
         }
         else if (pp > 5000) {
             if (name)
-                *name = locale_string(viewer->locale, "moneychest");
+                *name = LOC(viewer->locale, "moneychest");
             if (basename)
                 *basename = "moneychest";
         }
         else if (pp > 500) {
             if (name)
-                *name = locale_string(viewer->locale, "moneybag");
+                *name = LOC(viewer->locale, "moneybag");
             if (basename)
                 *basename = "moneybag";
         }
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ const char **name, const char **basename, int *number, bool singular)
     else {
         if (name)
             *name =
-            locale_string(viewer->locale, resourcename(i->type->rtype,
+            LOC(viewer->locale, resourcename(i->type->rtype,
             NMF_APPEARANCE | ((i->number != 1 && !singular) ? GR_PLURAL : 0)));
         if (basename)
             *basename = resourcename(i->type->rtype, NMF_APPEARANCE);
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ size_t size)
 
     if (u->number && (u->faction == f || telepath_see || isbattle)) {
         const char *c = hp_status(u);
-        c = c ? locale_string(f->locale, c) : 0;
+        c = c ? LOC(f->locale, c) : 0;
         bytes = (int)strlcpy(bufp, ", ", size);
         if (wrptr(&bufp, &size, bytes) != 0)
             WARN_STATIC_BUFFER();
@@ -1956,7 +1956,7 @@ const char *trailinto(const region * r, const struct locale *lang)
     if (r) {
         const char *tname = terrain_name(r);
         strcat(strcpy(ref, tname), "_trail");
-        s = locale_string(lang, ref);
+        s = LOC(lang, ref);
         if (s && *s) {
             if (strstr(s, "%s"))
                 return s;
@@ -2003,7 +2003,7 @@ static void eval_localize(struct opstack **stack, const void *userdata)
     const struct faction *f = (const struct faction *)userdata;
     const struct locale *lang = f ? f->locale : default_locale;
     const char *c = (const char *)opop_v(stack);
-    c = locale_string(lang, c);
+    c = LOC(lang, c);
     opush_v(stack, strcpy(balloc(strlen(c) + 1), c));
 }
 
diff --git a/src/skill.c b/src/skill.c
index d7ca2fee5..0df94a85f 100644
--- a/src/skill.c
+++ b/src/skill.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ void init_skills(const struct locale *lang) {
 const char *skillname(skill_t sk, const struct locale *lang)
 {
     if (skill_disabled[sk]) return 0;
-    return locale_string(lang, mkname("skill", skillnames[sk]));
+    return LOC(lang, mkname("skill", skillnames[sk]));
 
 }
 
diff --git a/src/util/language.c b/src/util/language.c
index 564ade080..f23643b6d 100644
--- a/src/util/language.c
+++ b/src/util/language.c
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ const char *locale_getstring(const locale * lang, const char *key)
     return NULL;
 }
 
-const char *locale_string(const locale * lang, const char *key)
+const char *locale_string(const locale * lang, const char *key, bool warn)
 {
     assert(lang);
     assert(key);
@@ -150,9 +150,11 @@ const char *locale_string(const locale * lang, const char *key)
         if (find) {
             return find->str;
         }
-        log_error("missing translation for \"%s\" in locale %s\n", key, lang->name);
+        if (warn) {
+            log_warning("missing translation for \"%s\" in locale %s\n", key, lang->name);
+        }
         if (lang->fallback) {
-            return locale_string(lang->fallback, key);
+            return locale_string(lang->fallback, key, warn);
         }
     }
     return 0;
@@ -262,7 +264,7 @@ void init_translations(const struct locale *lang, int ut, const char * (*string_
     tokens = get_translations(lang, ut);
     for (i = 0; i != maxstrings; ++i) {
         const char * s = string_cb(i);
-        const char * key = s ? locale_string(lang, s) : 0;
+        const char * key = s ? locale_string(lang, s, false) : 0;
         key = key ? key : s;
         if (key) {
             struct critbit_tree ** cb = (struct critbit_tree **)tokens;
diff --git a/src/util/language.h b/src/util/language.h
index d02a562ea..b6e22d5e5 100644
--- a/src/util/language.h
+++ b/src/util/language.h
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 
 #ifndef MY_LOCALE_H
 #define MY_LOCALE_H
+
+#include <platform.h>
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
@@ -39,7 +42,7 @@ extern "C" {
     const char *value);
   extern const char *locale_getstring(const struct locale *lang,
     const char *key);
-  extern const char *locale_string(const struct locale *lang, const char *key); /* does fallback */
+  extern const char *locale_string(const struct locale *lang, const char *key, bool warn); /* does fallback */
   extern unsigned int locale_index(const struct locale *lang);
   extern const char *locale_name(const struct locale *lang);
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
   extern void make_locales(const char *str);
 
-#define LOC(lang, s) (lang?locale_string(lang, s):s)
+#define LOC(lang, s) (lang?locale_string(lang, s, true):s)
 
   extern struct locale *default_locale;
   extern struct locale *locales;
diff --git a/src/vortex.c b/src/vortex.c
index c9cea4649..a4aee3181 100644
--- a/src/vortex.c
+++ b/src/vortex.c
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ static dir_lookup *dir_name_lookup;
 
 void register_special_direction(struct locale *lang, const char *name)
 {
-    const char *token = LOC(lang, name);
+    const char *token = locale_string(lang, name, false);
 
     if (token) {
         void **tokens = get_translations(lang, UT_SPECDIR);
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ void register_special_direction(struct locale *lang, const char *name)
         }
     }
     else {
-        log_error("no translation for spec_direction '%s' in locale '%s'\n", name, locale_name(lang));
+        log_debug("no translation for spec_direction '%s' in locale '%s'\n", name, locale_name(lang));
     }
 }