diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1576e7f..6241470 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -3327,3 +3327,92 @@ densest frames possible.
   the base36 count fields are 3 chars regardless of how many frames exist.
 
 **Outcome:** DONE.
+
+## 58. i18n phase 1: BAL translation layer (Electrum first, then BAL)
+
+**Date:** 2026-09-26 (branch `feature/i18n`, see `PLAN_I18N.md`)
+
+**Goal (owner request):** make the whole plugin translatable, starting with
+Italian, so that BAL follows the language chosen in Electrum. This phase adds
+the mechanism only: nothing visible changes yet.
+
+**What changed:**
+
+- New `bal/i18n.py`, BAL's own gettext layer (domain `bal`, catalogs in
+  `bal/locale/<lang>/LC_MESSAGES/bal.mo`, read with `plugin.read_file()` so it
+  works from the zip and from a development checkout):
+  - `_()` looks a text up in Electrum's catalog first, then in BAL's, then
+    returns the English source (owner's decision D7: BAL reads like Electrum,
+    and Electrum's translations would take over if BAL ever became an internal
+    plugin). BAL translations whose `{}` fields differ from the source are
+    rejected with the same rules as Electrum's.
+  - `N_()` marks texts defined at import time, translated when shown.
+  - `init_from_config()` repeats Electrum's own language choice (Preferences >
+    Language, else the supported system language, else English) once, in the
+    Qt `Plugin.__init__`. A missing or broken catalog never stops the plugin.
+- `common.py`, `theme.py`, `core/will.py`, `core/willexecutors.py` now import
+  `_` from `bal.i18n`. The CLI keeps Electrum's translator and stays English,
+  like Electrum's own CLI.
+
+**Verification:** new `tests/test_i18n.py`; results in entry 59.
+
+**Outcome:** DONE (delivered in one test ZIP together with entry 59).
+
+## 59. i18n phase 2: translatable texts and language-neutral stored data
+
+**Date:** 2026-09-26 (branch `feature/i18n`, see `PLAN_I18N.md`)
+
+**Goal:** make every user-visible text of the Qt GUI extractable and
+translatable, without changing the English UI, and make sure no stored data
+depends on the GUI language.
+
+**What changed:**
+
+- Texts built with f-strings or `.format()` inside `_()`, or glued together
+  from pieces, are now whole sentences with `{}` fields (Ruff INT clean).
+- Class-level texts (list headers, wizard titles/messages, help texts,
+  download error messages, status labels) are marked with `N_()` and
+  translated when shown: class bodies run before the catalog is loaded.
+- Helpers no longer translate their argument (`add_widget`, `get_window_title`,
+  `msg_set_status`, the will-detail `qlabel`): callers pass translated text.
+  This also stops heir names and URLs from going through the translator.
+- Newly translatable: the settings help texts, the wizard download options,
+  the build report rows, the Ping/Select menu buttons, the QR size presets
+  (marked in `common.QR_PRESET_LABELS`: `core/qrtransfer.py` stays free of
+  Electrum imports because the Android reader ships a copy of it), and the
+  "(reminder i/n)" suffix of the calendar events (`build_ics_reminders` gained
+  `reminder_suffix`, English by default for the CLI).
+- **Stored status history:** `WillItem.set_status` now always writes the
+  English label; the new `format_status_history()` translates it for display
+  (lists and will detail) and keeps unknown tokens as they are, so histories
+  saved by older versions (e.g. `New.Firmato.Pushed`) still display fine.
+- **Calendar defaults:** `EVENT_SUMMARY` / `EVENT_DESCRIPTION` defaults follow
+  the GUI language (`BalConfig(..., translatable=True)`), while the English
+  original is what gets stored; a text written by the user is kept as it is.
+- **Not translated on purpose:** `HISTORY_LABEL` (used by
+  `Util._label_matches_history` to recognise BAL's own local transactions),
+  the "BAL Invalidate/Inheritance transaction" wallet labels,
+  `heirs.TRANSACTION_LABEL` and the will-executor "info" fallback stored in the
+  config.
+- Two small visible fixes: the will detail showed "Transaction fees::" and
+  "Status::" with a double colon.
+- `pyproject.toml`: Ruff now also checks the `INT` (gettext) rules.
+
+**Verification (Electrum 4.8.2, Python 3.14, offscreen):**
+
+- `tests/test_i18n.py`: 20 passed (lookup order, rejected `{}` fields,
+  missing/broken catalogs, language fallback, English status storage and its
+  display translation, translatable config defaults, reminder suffix, QR
+  preset labels).
+- Release-gate batch (as `make-release.sh`): 403 passed, 1 failed; the other
+  offline test files: 213 passed. Identical to the baseline taken before the
+  change; the only failures are pre-existing (`test_e5` and
+  `test_reproduce_none_type` need the local `tests/karen7` wallet,
+  `test_import_start_stop_scan_signal_wiring` fails on `main` too,
+  `test_gui_export_dialogs.py` hangs on `main` too).
+- `smoke_test.py`, `build_zip.py` and `external_zip_test.py`: OK.
+- Ruff: INT clean; no new errors (the only one left is the pre-existing
+  `dialogs.py` I001).
+- Babel extraction (GUI + core): 424 strings (about 3,000 words), was 323.
+
+**Outcome:** DONE, pending the owner's test of the ZIP.
diff --git a/PLAN_I18N.md b/PLAN_I18N.md
index f218a92..df87d02 100644
--- a/PLAN_I18N.md
+++ b/PLAN_I18N.md
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ Phases 1 and 2 change nothing visible, so they may be delivered as a single ZIP/
   - mark the English defaults with `N_()`;
   - when the stored value is missing **or equal to the English default**, use the translated default at the moment the text is used (calendar export, history label);
   - the tokens must survive translation.
+  - **Changed during Phase 2 (safety):** `HISTORY_LABEL` stays English and is *not* translatable. `Util._label_matches_history()` uses it to recognise BAL's own local transactions (stale-history cleanup, spendable UTXOs), so a label that changed with the GUI language would no longer match the transactions saved before. Only `EVENT_SUMMARY` and `EVENT_DESCRIPTION` follow the language (`BalConfig(..., translatable=True)`). The same rule applies to every stored or compared text (wallet labels, `heirs.TRANSACTION_LABEL`, the status history).
 - **2.10** `pyproject.toml`: add `"INT"` to `[tool.ruff.lint] select`.
   - Ruff's hint suggests `%` formatting: **do not follow it**. Use `.format()`, which is Electrum's rule.
   - `make-release.sh` treats Ruff errors as blocking, so INT must end up clean.
diff --git a/bal/cli/controller.py b/bal/cli/controller.py
index 6e96ac7..7874ac3 100644
--- a/bal/cli/controller.py
+++ b/bal/cli/controller.py
@@ -91,17 +91,17 @@ def _user_facing(e):
             _(
                 "In the inheritance process, the entire wallet will always be "
                 "fully emptied. Your settings require an adjustment of the "
-                f"amounts: {e}"
-            )
+                "amounts: {}"
+            ).format(e)
         )
     if isinstance(e, heirs_mod.WillExecutorFeeTooHighException):
-        return UserFacingException(_(f"Will-executor fee too high: {e}"))
+        return UserFacingException(_("Will-executor fee too high: {}").format(e))
     if isinstance(e, heirs_mod.BalanceTooLowException):
         return UserFacingException(str(e))
     if isinstance(e, heirs_mod.HeirAmountIsDustException):
         return UserFacingException(str(e))
     if isinstance(e, heirs_mod.NotAnAddress):
-        return UserFacingException(_(f"not an address, {e}"))
+        return UserFacingException(_("not an address, {}").format(e))
     if isinstance(e, heirs_mod.AmountNotValid):
         return UserFacingException(str(e))
     if isinstance(e, heirs_mod.LocktimeNotValid):
diff --git a/bal/core/plugin_base.py b/bal/core/plugin_base.py
index 75cdc52..066b68c 100644
--- a/bal/core/plugin_base.py
+++ b/bal/core/plugin_base.py
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ from electrum.plugin import BasePlugin
 from electrum.transaction import tx_from_any
 from electrum.util import classproperty
 
+from ..i18n import N_, _
+
 _logger = get_logger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -134,12 +136,20 @@ class BalConfig:
 
     Wraps ``config.get`` / ``config.set_key`` and supplies a default value
     when the key is missing.
+
+    ``translatable=True`` is for a default *text* (marked with ``N_()``) that
+    should follow the GUI language. The English default is what gets stored,
+    and :meth:`get` translates it when it is read, so the stored value never
+    depends on the GUI language. A text the user wrote is returned unchanged.
+    Only for texts that are shown: a text that is also used to recognise
+    stored data (e.g. ``HISTORY_LABEL``) must stay non-translatable.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, config, name, default):
+    def __init__(self, config, name, default, translatable=False):
         self.config = config
         self.name = name
         self.default = default
+        self.translatable = translatable
 
     def get(self, default=None):
         """Return the stored value, falling back to ``default`` then ``self.default``."""
@@ -149,10 +159,20 @@ class BalConfig:
                 v = default
             else:
                 v = self.default
+        if self.translatable and v == self.default:
+            return _(v)
         return v
 
+    def localized_default(self):
+        """Return the default value, translated if the setting is translatable."""
+        return _(self.default) if self.translatable else self.default
+
     def set(self, value, save=True):
         """Persist ``value`` for this key."""
+        if self.translatable and value == self.localized_default():
+            # The translated default is stored as its English original, so
+            # it keeps following the GUI language (see get()).
+            value = self.default
         self.config.set_key(self.name, value, save=save)
 
 
@@ -243,6 +263,10 @@ class BalPlugin(BasePlugin):
         # the wallet's local history. May contain the "{willexecutor}" token,
         # which is replaced with the will-executor URL of each will item at
         # save time.
+        # Deliberately NOT translatable: Util._label_matches_history() uses
+        # this text to recognise BAL's own local transactions (stale-history
+        # cleanup, spendable UTXOs). A label that changed with the GUI
+        # language would no longer match the transactions saved before.
         self.HISTORY_LABEL = BalConfig(
             config,
             "bal_history_label",
@@ -328,13 +352,20 @@ class BalPlugin(BasePlugin):
         self.WELIST_SERVER = BalConfig(
             config, "bal_welist_server", "https://welist.bitcoin-after.life/"
         )
+        # Calendar (.ics) texts: only shown, never used to recognise data, so
+        # their defaults follow the GUI language (translatable=True). The
+        # $tokens must survive translation.
         self.EVENT_DESCRIPTION = BalConfig(
             config,
             "bal_event_description",
-            "BAL will execution of $wallet_name\r\n heirs list:  \r\n$heirs_complete",
+            N_("BAL will execution of $wallet_name\r\n heirs list:  \r\n$heirs_complete"),
+            translatable=True,
         )
         self.EVENT_SUMMARY = BalConfig(
-            config, "bal_event_summary", "BAL -Will execution of $wallet_name"
+            config,
+            "bal_event_summary",
+            N_("BAL -Will execution of $wallet_name"),
+            translatable=True,
         )
 
         # Default will-executor servers, keyed by network.  These addresses are
diff --git a/bal/core/reminders.py b/bal/core/reminders.py
index db8990e..18af267 100644
--- a/bal/core/reminders.py
+++ b/bal/core/reminders.py
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@ def build_ics_reminders(
     num_reminders: int = 3,
     now: Optional[datetime] = None,
     threshold: Optional[datetime] = None,
+    reminder_suffix: str = "(reminder {idx}/{total})",
 ) -> Optional[str]:
     """Build the ``.ics`` content with one VEVENT per reminder date.
 
@@ -169,6 +170,10 @@ def build_ics_reminders(
         num_reminders: requested reminder count (ADVANCED mode only).
         now: "today" reference; defaults to ``datetime.now()``.
         threshold: check-alive date (ADVANCED mode only; required there).
+        reminder_suffix: text appended to each event summary, with the
+            ``{idx}`` and ``{total}`` fields. This module stays free of
+            Electrum imports, so the GUI passes it already translated; the
+            English default keeps the CLI output unchanged.
 
     Returns:
         The ``.ics`` content string, or ``None`` when no reminder falls in the
@@ -210,7 +215,9 @@ def build_ics_reminders(
         # The visible date of this event: "offset" days before the deadline.
         event_dt = format_time(locktime - timedelta(days=offset))
         # Suffix the summary so the N events are easy to tell apart.
-        event_summary = ical_escape(f"{summary_base} (reminder {idx}/{total})")
+        event_summary = ical_escape(
+            "{} {}".format(summary_base, reminder_suffix.format(idx=idx, total=total))
+        )
         lines.extend([
             "BEGIN:VEVENT",
             # Offset in the UID keeps each event unique (no merging).
diff --git a/bal/core/will.py b/bal/core/will.py
index 71d7ff1..83bad97 100644
--- a/bal/core/will.py
+++ b/bal/core/will.py
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ The status flags themselves (the source of truth) stay here; only the mapping
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 from electrum.address_synchronizer import TX_HEIGHT_FUTURE, TX_HEIGHT_LOCAL
-from electrum.i18n import _
 from electrum.logging import Logger, get_logger
 from electrum.transaction import (
     PartialTransaction,
@@ -44,6 +43,7 @@ from electrum.util import (
     bfh,
 )
 
+from ..i18n import N_, _
 from .heirs import WillExecutorFeeTooHighException
 from .util import Util, copy_structure
 from .willexecutors import Willexecutors
@@ -1273,6 +1273,34 @@ class Will:
 
 
 
+def format_status_history(status: str) -> str:
+    """Return the saved status history of a will item in the GUI language.
+
+    ``WillItem.status`` is a dot-separated history such as
+    ``".Signed.Pushed.NOT Valid"``. It is stored in English (see
+    ``WillItem.set_status``) and translated only here, for display. A token
+    that is not a known English label is shown unchanged: this keeps working
+    the histories written by older versions, which stored the label already
+    translated (for example ``"Firmato"``).
+    """
+    labels = {label for label, _flag in WillItem.STATUS_DEFAULT.values()}
+    labels.update(WillItem.LEGACY_STATUS_LABELS)
+
+    def translate(token):
+        # "ERROR!!!" is glued to the end of the history when an item has no
+        # id (see WillItem.__init__): keep it, translate what comes before.
+        suffix = ""
+        if token.endswith("ERROR!!!"):
+            token, suffix = token[: -len("ERROR!!!")], "ERROR!!!"
+        if token in labels:
+            token = _(token)
+        elif token.startswith("NOT ") and token[len("NOT "):] in labels:
+            token = _("NOT {}").format(_(token[len("NOT "):]))
+        return token + suffix
+
+    return ".".join(translate(token) for token in status.split("."))
+
+
 class WillItem(Logger):
     # Default status flags for an inheritance transaction.
     # Each entry maps an internal status key to [human-readable label, default
@@ -1286,28 +1314,37 @@ class WillItem(Logger):
     #   * "UPDATED" was added: the transaction was spendable AND valid, and a new
     #     transaction replaces it while keeping the SAME locktime and SAME heirs.
     #     UPDATED keeps the VALID flag (see set_status).
+    #
+    # The labels are marked with N_() but stay English here: they are written
+    # into the saved status history (see set_status) and translated only when
+    # shown, by format_status_history().
     STATUS_DEFAULT = {
-        "ANTICIPATED": ["Anticipated", False],
-        "BROADCASTED": ["Broadcasted", False],
-        "CHECKED": ["Checked", False],
-        "CHECK_FAIL": ["Check Failed", False],
-        "COMPLETE": ["Signed", False],
-        "CONFIRMED": ["Confirmed", False],
-        "ERROR": ["Error", False],
-        "EXPIRED": ["Expired", False],
-        "EXPORTED": ["Exported", False],
-        "IMPORTED": ["Imported", False],
-        "INVALIDATED": ["Invalidated", False],
-        "MEMPOOL": ["Mempool", False],
-        "PUSH_FAIL": ["Push failed", False],
-        "PUSHED": ["Pushed", False],
-        "PARTIALLY_SIGNED": ["Partially Signed", False],
-        "REPLACED": ["Replaced", False],
-        "RESTORED": ["Restored", False],
-        "UPDATED": ["Updated", False],
-        "VALID": ["Valid", True],
+        "ANTICIPATED": [N_("Anticipated"), False],
+        "BROADCASTED": [N_("Broadcasted"), False],
+        "CHECKED": [N_("Checked"), False],
+        "CHECK_FAIL": [N_("Check Failed"), False],
+        "COMPLETE": [N_("Signed"), False],
+        "CONFIRMED": [N_("Confirmed"), False],
+        "ERROR": [N_("Error"), False],
+        "EXPIRED": [N_("Expired"), False],
+        "EXPORTED": [N_("Exported"), False],
+        "IMPORTED": [N_("Imported"), False],
+        "INVALIDATED": [N_("Invalidated"), False],
+        "MEMPOOL": [N_("Mempool"), False],
+        "PUSH_FAIL": [N_("Push failed"), False],
+        "PUSHED": [N_("Pushed"), False],
+        "PARTIALLY_SIGNED": [N_("Partially Signed"), False],
+        "REPLACED": [N_("Replaced"), False],
+        "RESTORED": [N_("Restored"), False],
+        "UPDATED": [N_("Updated"), False],
+        "VALID": [N_("Valid"), True],
     }
 
+    # Labels found in histories saved by older versions but no longer
+    # written: "New" opened every history (e.g. tests/samanta7).
+    # format_status_history() still translates them.
+    LEGACY_STATUS_LABELS = (N_("New"),)
+
     def set_status(self, status, value=True):
         """Set a status flag and apply the related side effects.
 
@@ -1341,7 +1378,11 @@ class WillItem(Logger):
         if self.STATUS[status][1] == bool(value):
             return None
 
-        self.status += "." + (("NOT " if not value else "") + _(self.STATUS[status][0]))
+        # The history is saved in the wallet, in exported files and in QR
+        # transfers, so it is always written in English: the saved data must
+        # not depend on the GUI language (older versions wrote the translated
+        # label). format_status_history() translates it when it is shown.
+        self.status += "." + (("NOT " if not value else "") + self.STATUS[status][0])
         self.STATUS[status][1] = bool(value)
         if value:
             # NOTE: ANTICIPATED and UPDATED are intentionally NOT in this list,
diff --git a/bal/core/willexecutors.py b/bal/core/willexecutors.py
index eaea558..54bbec0 100644
--- a/bal/core/willexecutors.py
+++ b/bal/core/willexecutors.py
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ from typing import Any
 from aiohttp import ClientResponse
 from electrum import bitcoin, constants
 from electrum.bitcoin import COIN, TOTAL_COIN_SUPPLY_LIMIT_IN_BTC
-from electrum.i18n import _
 from electrum.logging import get_logger
 from electrum.network import Network
 
+from ..i18n import _
 from .plugin_base import BalPlugin, get_version
 
 # Per-request timeout (seconds) for interactive operations (ping / info /
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/common.py b/bal/gui/qt/common.py
index b4e9896..e7d3e66 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/common.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/common.py
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ from electrum.gui.qt.util import (
     read_QPixmap_from_bytes,
     webopen,
 )
-from electrum.i18n import _
 from electrum.logging import get_logger
 from electrum.network import BestEffortRequestFailed, Network, TxBroadcastError
 from electrum.payment_identifier import PaymentIdentifier
@@ -137,6 +136,7 @@ from ...core.will import (
     WillExpiredException,
     WillItem,
     WillPostponedException,
+    format_status_history,
 )
 from ...core.willexecutors import (  # noqa: F401
     Willexecutors,
@@ -144,6 +144,9 @@ from ...core.willexecutors import (  # noqa: F401
     is_tor_active,
 )
 
+# BAL's translator: Electrum's catalog first, then BAL's (see bal/i18n.py).
+from ...i18n import N_, _
+
 # --- Presentation helpers ---
 from .theme import (
     server_status_text,
@@ -161,6 +164,17 @@ from .window_utils import (
 
 _logger = get_logger(__name__)
 
+# Labels of bal.core.qrtransfer.CHUNK_PRESETS, marked for translation here
+# because qrtransfer.py must stay free of Electrum imports (the Android reader
+# ships a copy of it). The combos show them with _(label);
+# tests/test_i18n.py checks that this list matches CHUNK_PRESETS.
+QR_PRESET_LABELS = (
+    N_("Small - ~150 bytes/QR (low-res cameras)"),
+    N_("Medium - ~400 bytes/QR"),
+    N_("Large - ~900 bytes/QR"),
+    N_("XL - ~1800 bytes/QR (high-res cameras)"),
+)
+
 
 class shown_cv:  # noqa: N801  (intentionally lowercase: mirrors Qt signal naming)
     _type = bool
@@ -178,13 +192,30 @@ class shown_cv:  # noqa: N801  (intentionally lowercase: mirrors Qt signal namin
 
 
 def add_widget(grid, label, widget, row, help_):
-    grid.addWidget(QLabel(_(label)), row, 0)
+    """Add a ``label | widget | help button`` row to ``grid``.
+
+    ``label`` and ``help_`` must already be translated by the caller: a
+    variable passed to _() cannot be extracted into the catalog.
+    """
+    grid.addWidget(QLabel(label), row, 0)
     grid.addWidget(widget, row, 1)
     grid.addWidget(HelpButton(help_), row, 2)
 
 
 
 
+def translated_headers(headers):
+    """Return a translated copy of a list's ``headers`` class attribute.
+
+    The column headers are class attributes marked with N_(): a class body
+    runs at import time, before the catalog is loaded, so they are
+    translated here, each time the headers are (re)built.
+    """
+    return {column: _(text) for column, text in headers.items()}
+
+
+
+
 def log_error(exec_info, window=None):
     """Log an error and optionally show it.
 
@@ -222,7 +253,7 @@ def export_meta_gui(electrum_window, title, exporter):
     filter_ = "All files (*)"
     filename = getSaveFileName(
         parent=electrum_window,
-        title=_("Select file to save your {}".format(title)),
+        title=_("Select file to save your {}").format(title),
         filename="BALplugin_{}_{}_{}".format(
             BalPlugin.chainname, str(electrum_window.wallet), title
         ),
@@ -237,7 +268,7 @@ def export_meta_gui(electrum_window, title, exporter):
         electrum_window.show_critical(str(e))
     else:
         electrum_window.show_message(
-            _("Your {0} were exported to '{1}'".format(title, str(filename)))
+            _("Your {0} were exported to '{1}'").format(title, str(filename))
         )
 
 
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/dialogs.py b/bal/gui/qt/dialogs.py
index 13f40cb..99d4f26 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/dialogs.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/dialogs.py
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ from .calendar import BalCalendarButton
 from .common import (
     HEIR_DUST_AMOUNT,
     HEIR_REAL_AMOUNT,
+    N_,
     AmountException,
     Any,
     BalTimestamp,
@@ -322,7 +323,9 @@ class BalWizardWidget(QWidget):
         self._bal_parent = parent
         self.on_next = on_next
         self.on_cancel = on_cancel
-        self.titleLabel = QLabel(self.title)
+        # title/message are class attributes marked with N_(): translate them
+        # here, when shown (a class body runs before the catalog is loaded).
+        self.titleLabel = QLabel(_(self.title) if self.title else "")
         self.vbox.addWidget(self.titleLabel)
         self.messageLabel = QLabel(_(self.message))
         self.vbox.addWidget(self.messageLabel)
@@ -377,8 +380,8 @@ class BalWizardWidget(QWidget):
 
 
 class BalWizardHeirsWidget(BalWizardWidget):
-    title = "Bitcoin After Life Heirs"
-    message = (
+    title = N_("Bitcoin After Life Heirs")
+    message = N_(
         "Please add your heirs\n remember that 100% of wallet balance will be spent"
     )
 
@@ -416,18 +419,18 @@ class BalWizardHeirsWidget(BalWizardWidget):
 
 
 class BalWizardWEDownloadWidget(BalWizardWidget):
-    title = _("Bitcoin After Life Will-Executors")
-    message = _("Choose willexecutors download method")
+    title = N_("Bitcoin After Life Will-Executors")
+    message = N_("Choose willexecutors download method")
 
     def get_content(self):
         # question = QLabel()
         self.combo = QComboBox()
         self.combo.addItems(
             [
-                "Automatically download and select willexecutors",
-                "Only download willexecutors list",
-                "Import willexecutor list from file",
-                "Manual",
+                _("Automatically download and select willexecutors"),
+                _("Only download willexecutors list"),
+                _("Import willexecutor list from file"),
+                _("Manual"),
             ]
         )
         # heir_name.setFixedWidth(32 * char_width_in_lineedit())
@@ -524,8 +527,8 @@ class BalWizardWEDownloadWidget(BalWizardWidget):
 
 
 class BalWizardWEWidget(BalWizardWidget):
-    title = "Bitcoin After Life Will-Executors"
-    message = _("Configure and select your willexecutors")
+    title = N_("Bitcoin After Life Will-Executors")
+    message = N_("Configure and select your willexecutors")
 
     def get_content(self):
         # Lazy import to avoid a dialogs<->lists import cycle.
@@ -544,8 +547,8 @@ class BalWizardWEWidget(BalWizardWidget):
 
 
 class BalWizardLocktimeAndFeeWidget(BalWizardWidget):
-    title = "Bitcoin After Life Will Settings"
-    message = _("")
+    title = N_("Bitcoin After Life Will Settings")
+    message = ""
 
     def get_content(self):
         widget = QWidget()
@@ -748,7 +751,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
             return
         txs = None
         _logger.debug("close plugin phase 1 started")
-        varrow = self.msg_set_status("Checking variables")
+        varrow = self.msg_set_status(_("Checking variables"))
         try:
             self.bal_window.init_class_variables()
         except CheckAliveError as cae:
@@ -766,9 +769,9 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                     "during phase1 CAE: {}, Continue to invalidate".format(cae)
                 )
                 self.msg_set_status(
-                    "Checking variables", varrow,
-                    "Check Alive Threshold Passed: you have to Invalidate "
-                    "your old Will",
+                    _("Checking variables"), varrow,
+                    _("Check Alive Threshold Passed: you have to Invalidate "
+                      "your old Will"),
                     self.COLOR_ERROR,
                 )
             else:
@@ -776,7 +779,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
             return None, tx
         except NoHeirsException:
             self.msg_set_status(
-                "Checking variables", varrow, self.msg_alert("No Heirs")
+                _("Checking variables"), varrow, self.msg_alert(_("No Heirs"))
             )
             return "no_heirs", None
         except Exception as e:
@@ -799,18 +802,20 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                 max_fee=self.bal_window.bal_plugin.MAX_WILLEXECUTOR_FEE.get(),
             )
             _logger.debug("variables ok")
-            self.msg_set_status("Checking variables", varrow, "Ok", self.COLOR_OK)
+            self.msg_set_status(_("Checking variables"), varrow, _("Ok"), self.COLOR_OK)
         except AmountException:
             self.msg_set_checking(
                 self.msg_warning(
-                    "In the inheritance process, "
-                    + "the entire wallet will always be fully emptied. \n"
-                    + "Your settings require an adjustment of the amounts"
+                    _(
+                        "In the inheritance process, "
+                        "the entire wallet will always be fully emptied. \n"
+                        "Your settings require an adjustment of the amounts"
+                    )
                 )
             )
         except WillExecutorFeeTooHighException as e:
             self.msg_set_checking(
-                self.msg_warning(f"Will-executor fee too high: {e}")
+                self.msg_warning(_("Will-executor fee too high: {}").format(e))
             )
 
         self.msg_set_checking()
@@ -833,7 +838,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
             # makes the CHECK button and the WIZARD behave identically and fixes
             # the missing-label bug (#03).
             _logger.debug("expired")
-            self.msg_set_checking("Expired")
+            self.msg_set_checking(_("Expired"))
             return "invalidate_classic", None
         except WillPostponedException as e:
             # An already signed/sent will is being postponed.  Like an expired
@@ -856,7 +861,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
             )
         except NoHeirsException:
             _logger.debug("no heirs")
-            self.msg_set_checking("No Heirs")
+            self.msg_set_checking(_("No Heirs"))
         except NotCompleteWillException as e:
             _logger.debug(f"not complete {e} true")
             message = False
@@ -1051,9 +1056,11 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                     dust_heirs.setdefault(hid, heir[HEIR_DUST_AMOUNT])
         for hid, dust_amount in dust_heirs.items():
             self.msg_set_status(
-                f"{_('Heir')} {hid}",
+                _("Heir {}").format(hid),
                 None,
-                f"{dust_amount} is DUST - excluded (amount below dust limit)",
+                _("{} is DUST - excluded (amount below dust limit)").format(
+                    dust_amount
+                ),
                 self.COLOR_WARNING,
             )
 
@@ -1223,14 +1230,14 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
         for i in range(secs, 0, -1):
             if self._stopping:
                 return
-            wait_row = self.msg_edit_row(_(f"Please wait {i}secs"), wait_row)
+            wait_row = self.msg_edit_row(_("Please wait {}secs").format(i), wait_row)
             time.sleep(1)
         self.msg_del_row(wait_row)
 
     def loop_broadcast_invalidating(self, tx):
         if self._stopping:
             return
-        self.msg_set_invalidating("Broadcasting")
+        self.msg_set_invalidating(_("Broadcasting"))
         try:
             tx.add_info_from_wallet(self.bal_window.wallet)
             self.network.run_from_another_thread(tx.add_info_from_network(self.network))
@@ -1341,7 +1348,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                 done["count"] += 1
                 # Show the per-server result (Ok/Ko) in bold + color so the
                 # outcome stands out, keeping the server URL in normal weight.
-                result = self.msg_ok("Ok") if ok else self.msg_error("Ko")
+                result = self.msg_ok(_("Ok")) if ok else self.msg_error(_("Ko"))
                 self.msg_edit_row("{} : {}".format(url, result))
                 self.msg_set_pushing(_status_line())
 
@@ -1393,8 +1400,11 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                     if self._stopping:
                         return
                     row = self.msg_edit_row(
-                        "checking {} - {} : <b>{}</b>".format(
-                            self.bal_window.willitems[wid].we["url"], wid, "Waiting"
+                        "{} : <b>{}</b>".format(
+                            _("checking {} - {}").format(
+                                self.bal_window.willitems[wid].we["url"], wid
+                            ),
+                            _("Waiting"),
                         )
                     )
                     w = self.bal_window.willitems[wid]
@@ -1407,9 +1417,10 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                     checked = self.bal_window.willitems[wid].get_status("CHECKED")
                     result = self.msg_ok(checked) if checked else self.msg_error(checked)
                     row = self.msg_edit_row(
-                        "checked {} - {} : {}".format(
-                            self.bal_window.willitems[wid].we["url"],
-                            wid,
+                        "{} : {}".format(
+                            _("checked {} - {}").format(
+                                self.bal_window.willitems[wid].we["url"], wid
+                            ),
                             result,
                         ),
                         row,
@@ -1457,7 +1468,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                 raise Exception("not tx")
         except Exception as e:
             (f"exception:{e}")
-            self.msg_set_invalidating(f"Error: {e}")
+            self.msg_set_invalidating(_("Error: {}").format(e))
             raise Exception("Impossible to sign") from e
 
     def on_success_invalidate(self, success):
@@ -1825,8 +1836,11 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
 
             basic_mode = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.is_basic_mode()
             if basic_mode:
-                raw_description = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_DESCRIPTION.default
-                raw_summary = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_SUMMARY.default
+                # Factory defaults, in the GUI language (see BalConfig).
+                raw_description = (
+                    self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_DESCRIPTION.localized_default()
+                )
+                raw_summary = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_SUMMARY.localized_default()
                 threshold = None
                 num_reminders = 3
             else:
@@ -1863,6 +1877,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                 version=self.bal_window.bal_plugin.version,
                 num_reminders=num_reminders,
                 threshold=threshold,
+                reminder_suffix=_("(reminder {idx}/{total})"),
             )
         except Exception as e:
             _logger.error(f"failed to generate .ics: {e}")
@@ -2006,7 +2021,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
     def on_error_phase1(self, error):
         self.bal_window.update_all()
         a, b, c = error
-        self.msg_edit_row(self.msg_error(f"Error: {b}"))
+        self.msg_edit_row(self.msg_error(_("Error: {}").format(b)))
         import traceback
         _logger.error(f"error phase1: {b}\n{''.join(traceback.format_exception(a, b, c))}")
         button=QPushButton(_("Close"))
@@ -2017,7 +2032,7 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
     def on_error_phase2(self, error):
         self.bal_window.upade_all()
         a, b, c = error
-        self.msg_edit_row(self.msg_error(f"Error: {b}"))
+        self.msg_edit_row(self.msg_error(_("Error: {}").format(b)))
         _logger.error(f"error phase2: {b}")
 
     def _executed_inheritance_status(self):
@@ -2203,9 +2218,9 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
         }
 
         if reason in messages:
-            return messages[reason] + "\n\n" + _("Skipped")
+            return "{}\n\n{}".format(messages[reason], _("Skipped"))
 
-        return (
+        return "{}\n\n{}".format(
             _(
                 "Could not build the will, and the exact cause could not be "
                 "determined. Please check that:\n"
@@ -2213,12 +2228,14 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
                 "- each heir's share is above the minimum (dust limit),\n"
                 "- the Check Alive date is EARLIER than the delivery date,\n"
                 "- at least one will-executor is selected and reachable."
-            )
-            + "\n\n"
-            + _("Skipped")
+            ),
+            _("Skipped"),
         )
 
-    def msg_set_checking(self, status="Waiting", row=None):
+    def msg_set_checking(self, status=None, row=None):
+        # The default is resolved here, not in the signature: a default
+        # argument is evaluated at import time, before the catalog is loaded.
+        status = _("Waiting") if status is None else status
         row = self.check_row if row is None else row
         self.check_row = self.msg_set_status(_("Checking your will"), row, status)
 
@@ -2231,30 +2248,36 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
     def msg_set_building(self, status=None, row=None,color=None):
         row = self.build_row if row is None else row
         self.build_row = self.msg_set_status(
-            "Building your will", self.build_row, status, color
+            _("Building your will"), self.build_row, status, color
         )
 
     def msg_set_signing(self, status=None, row=None):
         row = self.sign_row if row is None else row
-        self.sign_row = self.msg_set_status("Signing your will", self.sign_row, status)
+        self.sign_row = self.msg_set_status(
+            _("Signing your will"), self.sign_row, status
+        )
 
     def msg_set_pushing(self, status=None, row=None):
         row = self.push_row if row is None else row
         self.push_row = self.msg_set_status(
-            "Broadcasting your will to executors", self.push_row, status
+            _("Broadcasting your will to executors"), self.push_row, status
         )
 
     def msg_set_waiting(self, status=None, row=None):
         row = self.wait_row if row is None else row
-        self.wait_row = self.msg_edit_row(f"Please wait {status}secs", self.wait_row)
+        self.wait_row = self.msg_edit_row(
+            _("Please wait {}secs").format(status), self.wait_row
+        )
 
     def msg_error(self, e):
         # Results are shown in bold so the outcome stands out from the
         # left-side state label (which stays in normal weight).
         return "<font color='{}'><b>{}</b></font>".format(self.COLOR_ERROR, e)
 
-    def msg_ok(self, e="Ok"):
-        # Results are shown in bold (see msg_error).
+    def msg_ok(self, e=None):
+        # Results are shown in bold (see msg_error). The default "Ok" is
+        # translated here, not in the signature (evaluated at import time).
+        e = _("Ok") if e is None else e
         return "<font color='{}'><b>{}</b></font>".format(self.COLOR_OK, e)
 
     def msg_warning(self, e):
@@ -2283,12 +2306,14 @@ class BalBuildWillDialog(BalDialog):
         # glance.  ``status`` may already contain rich-text emitted by
         # msg_ok/msg_error/msg_warning (which add their own <b>...</b>); wrapping
         # it again in <b> is harmless for those cases.
-        status = "Wait" if status is None else status
+        # ``msg`` must already be translated by the caller: a variable
+        # passed to _() cannot be extracted into the catalog.
+        status = _("Wait") if status is None else status
         if color is None:
-            line = "{}:\t<b>{}</b>".format(_(msg), status)
+            line = "{}:\t<b>{}</b>".format(msg, status)
         else:
             line = "{}:\t<font color={}><b>{}</b></font>".format(
-                _(msg), color, status
+                msg, color, status
             )
         return self.msg_edit_row(line, row)
 
@@ -2416,15 +2441,15 @@ class WillDetailDialog(BalDialog):
 
         self.paint_scroll_area()
         self.vlayout.addWidget(
-            QLabel(_("Expiration date: ") + str(BalTimestamp(self.threshold)))
+            QLabel(_("Expiration date: {}").format(BalTimestamp(self.threshold)))
         )
         self.vlayout.addWidget(self.scrollbox)
         w = QWidget()
         hlayout = QHBoxLayout(w)
         hlayout.addWidget(
-            QLabel(_("Valid Txs:") + str(len(Will.only_valid_list(self.will))))
+            QLabel(_("Valid Txs:{}").format(len(Will.only_valid_list(self.will))))
         )
-        hlayout.addWidget(QLabel(_("Total Txs:") + str(len(self.will))))
+        hlayout.addWidget(QLabel(_("Total Txs:{}").format(len(self.will))))
         self.vlayout.addWidget(w)
         self.setLayout(self.vlayout)
 
@@ -2477,18 +2502,19 @@ class WillDetailDialog(BalDialog):
 
     def toggle_replaced(self):
         self.bal_window.bal_plugin.hide_replaced()
-        toggle = _("Hide")
+        # Whole sentences, so a translation can change the word order.
+        text = _("Hide replaced")
         if self.bal_window.bal_plugin._hide_replaced:
-            toggle = _("Unhide")
-        self.toggle_replace_button.setText(f"{toggle} {_('replaced')}")
+            text = _("Unhide replaced")
+        self.toggle_replace_button.setText(text)
         self.update()
 
     def toggle_invalidated(self):
         self.bal_window.bal_plugin.hide_invalidated()
-        toggle = _("Hide")
+        text = _("Hide invalidated")
         if self.bal_window.bal_plugin._hide_invalidated:
-            toggle = _("Unhide")
-        self.toggle_invalidate_button.setText(_(f"{toggle} {_('invalidated')}"))
+            text = _("Unhide invalidated")
+        self.toggle_invalidate_button.setText(text)
         self.update()
 
     def update(self):
@@ -2768,7 +2794,7 @@ class BalQrExportWidget(QWidget):
         size_row = QHBoxLayout()
         size_row.addWidget(QLabel(_("QR code size:")))
         self.size_combo = QComboBox()
-        self.size_combo.addItems([label for label, _budget in CHUNK_PRESETS])
+        self.size_combo.addItems([_(label) for label, _budget in CHUNK_PRESETS])
         self.size_combo.setCurrentIndex(
             preset_index_for_chunk_size(self.chunk_size)
         )
@@ -2783,7 +2809,8 @@ class BalQrExportWidget(QWidget):
         self._format_options = ["balqr"] + list(ANIMATED_QR_FORMATS)
         self.format_combo.addItems(
             [
-                format_name(fmt) + ((" (default)") if fmt == "balqr" else "")
+                format_name(fmt)
+                + (" {}".format(_("(default)")) if fmt == "balqr" else "")
                 for fmt in self._format_options
             ]
         )
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/lists.py b/bal/gui/qt/lists.py
index bb7ece3..9f15edb 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/lists.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/lists.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QLineEdit as _QLineEdit
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QMessageBox, QStyledItemDelegate
 
 from .common import (
+    N_,
     OP_RETURN_PREFIX,
     BalTimestamp,
     Buttons,
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ from .common import (
     datetime,
     enum,
     export_meta_gui,
+    format_status_history,
     getOpenFileName,
     import_meta_gui,
     is_op_return_address,
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ from .common import (
     server_status_tooltip,
     signature_suffix,
     status_color,
+    translated_headers,
     tx_from_any,
     write_json_file,
 )
@@ -128,9 +131,9 @@ class HeirListWidget(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
         AMOUNT = enum.auto()
 
     headers = {
-        Columns.NAME: _("Name"),
-        Columns.ADDRESS: _("Address"),
-        Columns.AMOUNT: _("Amount"),
+        Columns.NAME: N_("Name"),
+        Columns.ADDRESS: N_("Address"),
+        Columns.AMOUNT: N_("Amount"),
     }
     filter_columns = [Columns.NAME, Columns.ADDRESS]
 
@@ -245,7 +248,7 @@ class HeirListWidget(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
             col=self.Columns.NAME, role=self.ROLE_HEIR_KEY
         )
         self.model().clear()
-        self.update_headers(self.__class__.headers)
+        self.update_headers(translated_headers(self.__class__.headers))
         set_current = None
         for key in sorted(self.bal_window.heirs.keys()):
             heir = self.bal_window.heirs[key]
@@ -337,11 +340,11 @@ class PreviewList(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
         SERVER = enum.auto()
 
     headers = {
-        Columns.LOCKTIME: _("Locktime"),
-        Columns.TXID: _("Txid"),
-        Columns.WILLEXECUTOR: _("Will-Executor"),
-        Columns.STATUS: _("Status"),
-        Columns.SERVER: _("Server"),
+        Columns.LOCKTIME: N_("Locktime"),
+        Columns.TXID: N_("Txid"),
+        Columns.WILLEXECUTOR: N_("Will-Executor"),
+        Columns.STATUS: N_("Status"),
+        Columns.SERVER: N_("Server"),
     }
 
     ROLE_HEIR_KEY = Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole + 2000
@@ -586,7 +589,7 @@ class PreviewList(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
         if bal_tx.we:
             we = bal_tx.we["url"]
         labels[self.Columns.WILLEXECUTOR] = we
-        status = bal_tx.status + signature_suffix(bal_tx)
+        status = format_status_history(bal_tx.status) + signature_suffix(bal_tx)
         if len(status) > 53:
             status = "...{}".format(status[-50:])
         labels[self.Columns.STATUS] = status
@@ -644,7 +647,7 @@ class PreviewList(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
             col=self.Columns.TXID, role=self.ROLE_HEIR_KEY
         )
         self.model().clear()
-        self.update_headers(self.__class__.headers)
+        self.update_headers(translated_headers(self.__class__.headers))
 
         set_current = None
         for txid, bal_tx in self.will.items():
@@ -676,7 +679,7 @@ class PreviewList(MyTreeView, MessageBoxMixin):
         # The Wizard is the main entry point to create an inheritance, so make
         # it stand out: show a bold label next to a slightly larger icon (the
         # plain icon-only button was too easy to overlook).
-        wizard = QPushButton("  " + _("Build Your Will"))
+        wizard = QPushButton("  {}".format(_("Build Your Will")))
         wizard.setIcon(
             read_QIcon_from_bytes(
                 self.bal_window.bal_plugin.read_file("icons/wizard.png")
@@ -904,12 +907,12 @@ class WillExecutorListWidget(MyTreeView):
         ADDRESS = enum.auto()
 
     headers = {
-        Columns.SELECTED: _(""),
-        Columns.URL: _("Url"),
-        Columns.STATUS: _("S"),
-        Columns.BASE_FEE: _("Base fee"),
-        Columns.INFO: _("Info"),
-        Columns.ADDRESS: _("Default Address"),
+        Columns.SELECTED: "",
+        Columns.URL: N_("Url"),
+        Columns.STATUS: N_("S"),
+        Columns.BASE_FEE: N_("Base fee"),
+        Columns.INFO: N_("Info"),
+        Columns.ADDRESS: N_("Default Address"),
     }
 
     filter_columns = [Columns.URL]
@@ -1091,7 +1094,7 @@ class WillExecutorListWidget(MyTreeView):
                 col=self.Columns.URL, role=self.ROLE_HEIR_KEY
             )
             self.model().clear()
-            self.update_headers(self.__class__.headers)
+            self.update_headers(translated_headers(self.__class__.headers))
 
             set_current = None
 
@@ -1236,13 +1239,14 @@ class WillExecutorWidget(QWidget, MessageBoxMixin):
         buttonbox.addWidget(b)
 
         def _menu_button(label):
+            # ``label`` must already be translated by the caller.
             btn = QToolButton()
-            btn.setText(_(label))
+            btn.setText(label)
             btn.setPopupMode(QToolButton.ToolButtonPopupMode.InstantPopup)
             buttonbox.addWidget(btn)
             return btn
 
-        export_btn = _menu_button("Export")
+        export_btn = _menu_button(_("Export"))
         export_menu = QMenu(export_btn)
         export_menu.addAction(_("Export all"), lambda: self.export_file())
         export_menu.addAction(
@@ -1253,7 +1257,7 @@ class WillExecutorWidget(QWidget, MessageBoxMixin):
         )
         export_btn.setMenu(export_menu)
 
-        ping_btn = _menu_button("Ping All")
+        ping_btn = _menu_button(_("Ping All"))
         ping_menu = QMenu(ping_btn)
         ping_menu.addAction(_("Ping all"), lambda: self.update_willexecutors())
         ping_menu.addAction(
@@ -1261,7 +1265,7 @@ class WillExecutorWidget(QWidget, MessageBoxMixin):
         )
         ping_btn.setMenu(ping_menu)
 
-        select_btn = _menu_button("Select All")
+        select_btn = _menu_button(_("Select All"))
         select_menu = QMenu(select_btn)
         select_menu.addAction(_("Select all"), lambda: self.set_select_all(True))
         select_menu.addAction(
@@ -1295,7 +1299,7 @@ class WillExecutorWidget(QWidget, MessageBoxMixin):
 
         url_edit = QLineEdit()
         url_edit.setFixedWidth(32 * char_width_in_lineedit())
-        info_edit = QLineEdit("New Will Executor")
+        info_edit = QLineEdit(_("New Will Executor"))
         info_edit.setFixedWidth(32 * char_width_in_lineedit())
         base_fee_spin = QSpinBox()
         base_fee_spin.setRange(0, 1000000)
@@ -1309,7 +1313,7 @@ class WillExecutorWidget(QWidget, MessageBoxMixin):
 
         if executor:
             url_edit.setText(edit_key)
-            info_edit.setText(str(executor.get("info", "New Will Executor")))
+            info_edit.setText(str(executor.get("info", _("New Will Executor"))))
             base_fee_spin.setValue(int(executor.get("base_fee", 0)))
             address_edit.setText(str(executor.get("address", "")))
 
@@ -1469,7 +1473,7 @@ class WillExecutorWidget(QWidget, MessageBoxMixin):
                 break
             self._add_another = False
             url_edit.clear()
-            info_edit.setText("New Will Executor")
+            info_edit.setText(_("New Will Executor"))
             base_fee_spin.setValue(0)
             address_edit.clear()
 
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/plugin.py b/bal/gui/qt/plugin.py
index 6c16ada..da234f2 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/plugin.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/plugin.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from electrum.util import EventListener, event_listener
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QLayout
 
 from ...core.qrtransfer import CHUNK_PRESETS, preset_index_for_chunk_size
+from ...i18n import init_from_config
 from .common import (
     BalPlugin,
     Buttons,
@@ -67,6 +68,11 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
     def __init__(self, parent, config, name):
         _logger.info("INIT BALPLUGIN")
         BalPlugin.__init__(self, parent, config, name)
+        # Load BAL's catalog for the language Electrum's GUI is using, before
+        # any window or dialog builds its texts. It must come after
+        # BalPlugin.__init__: read_file() needs the plugin's parent and name.
+        # The CLI plugin does not call this, so the CLI stays in English.
+        init_from_config(self, config)
         self.bal_windows = {}
         # Status-bar buttons, keyed by id(sb.window()).  Tracking them lets us
         # remove a stale button before creating a fresh one when a wallet is
@@ -298,7 +304,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
                 pass
         b = StatusBarButton(
             read_QIcon_from_bytes(self.read_file("icons/bal32x32.png")),
-            "Bal " + _("Bitcoin After Life"),
+            "Bal {}".format(_("Bitcoin After Life")),
             lambda: self.settings_dialog(sb.window()),
             sb.height(),
         )
@@ -442,7 +448,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
 
     def settings_dialog(self, window=None, wallet=None):
 
-        d = BalDialog(window, self, self.get_window_title("Settings"))
+        d = BalDialog(window, self, self.get_window_title(_("Settings")))
         d.setMinimumSize(100, 200)
         qicon = read_QPixmap_from_bytes(self.read_file("icons/bal16x16.png"))
         lbl_logo = QLabel()
@@ -537,7 +543,8 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # Ordered low -> high so the user picks the resolution matching their
         # camera. Visible to all users (BASIC and ADVANCED).
         qr_size_combo = QComboBox()
-        qr_size_combo.addItems([label for label, _budget in CHUNK_PRESETS])
+        # Labels marked for translation in common.QR_PRESET_LABELS.
+        qr_size_combo.addItems([_(label) for label, _budget in CHUNK_PRESETS])
         qr_size_combo.setCurrentIndex(
             preset_index_for_chunk_size(int(self.QR_CHUNK_SIZE.get()))
         )
@@ -656,9 +663,9 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
                 elif kind == "spin":
                     widget.setValue(int(cfg.default))
                 elif kind == "line":
-                    widget.setText(cfg.default)
+                    widget.setText(cfg.localized_default())
                 elif kind == "text":
-                    widget.setPlainText(cfg.default)
+                    widget.setPlainText(cfg.localized_default())
                 elif kind == "user_type":
                     widget.setCurrentIndex(
                         1 if str(cfg.default).lower() == "advanced" else 0
@@ -670,7 +677,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
             btn.clicked.connect(reset)
             return btn
 
-        heir_repush = QPushButton("Rebroadcast transactions")
+        heir_repush = QPushButton(_("Rebroadcast transactions"))
         heir_repush.clicked.connect(partial(self.broadcast_transactions, True))
         bal_mode = QComboBox()
         options = ["Easy", "Advanced", "Experimental"]
@@ -696,27 +703,27 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # advanced-only settings, so the user picks basic/advanced first.
         add_widget(
             grid,
-            "Hide Replaced",
+            _("Hide Replaced"),
             heir_hide_replaced,
             0,
-            "Hide replaced transactions from will detail and list",
+            _("Hide replaced transactions from will detail and list"),
         )
         grid.addWidget(_make_reset_btn(self.HIDE_REPLACED, heir_hide_replaced, "check"), 0, 3)
         add_widget(
             grid,
-            "Hide Invalidated",
+            _("Hide Invalidated"),
             heir_hide_invalidated,
             1,
-            "Hide invalidated transactions from will detail and list",
+            _("Hide invalidated transactions from will detail and list"),
         )
         grid.addWidget(_make_reset_btn(self.HIDE_INVALIDATED, heir_hide_invalidated, "check"), 1, 3)
         lbl_auto_sign = QLabel(_("Auto-sign on Check"))
-        help_auto_sign = HelpButton(
+        help_auto_sign = HelpButton(_(
             "When checking, automatically sign and broadcast the will "
             "transactions to their will-executors.\n"
             "The wallet password is requested only if the wallet is "
             "encrypted."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_auto_sign), 2, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(heir_auto_sign), 2, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_auto_sign), 2, 2)
@@ -726,10 +733,10 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(reset_btn_auto_sign), 2, 3)
         add_widget(
             grid,
-            "Panel editable Date and Fee",
+            _("Panel editable Date and Fee"),
             heir_editable_dates,
             3,
-            (
+            _(
                 "When enabled, the delivery-time and check-alive date fields "
                 "can be edited everywhere (toolbar / Heirs tab), not only in "
                 "the will-building wizard.\n"
@@ -741,10 +748,10 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # will-executor. Visible to all users (BASIC and ADVANCED).
         add_widget(
             grid,
-            "Max Will-Executor Fee (satoshi)",
+            _("Max Will-Executor Fee (satoshi)"),
             heir_max_willexecutor_fee,
             4,
-            (
+            _(
                 "Maximum fee (in satoshi) allowed to be paid to a single "
                 "will-executor. If a will-executor charges more than this, "
                 "the will will not be built.\n"
@@ -756,10 +763,10 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # user chooses basic/advanced first, then sees the relevant options.
         add_widget(
             grid,
-            "User Type",
+            _("User Type"),
             user_type_combo,
             5,
-            (
+            _(
                 "Choose how much detail the plugin shows.\n\n"
                 "BASIC: simplified interface, safe configuration for most "
                 "users.\n\n"
@@ -774,10 +781,10 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # only in ADVANCED mode.  In BASIC mode the factory defaults are always
         # used and these settings are hidden.
         lbl_num_reminders = QLabel(_("Number of reminders"))
-        help_num_reminders = HelpButton(
+        help_num_reminders = HelpButton(_(
             "How many reminder alarms the exported calendar (.ics) event "
             "contains.  Range: 1 to 5 (default 3).  Only used in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_num_reminders), 6, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(heir_num_reminders), 6, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_num_reminders), 6, 2)
@@ -785,13 +792,13 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(reset_btn_6), 6, 3)
 
         lbl_event_summary = QLabel(_("Event summary"))
-        help_event_summary = HelpButton(
+        help_event_summary = HelpButton(_(
             "Default message to be used in event summary\n"
             "Variables:\n"
             "  $wallet_name: name of wallet\n"
             "  $heirs_complete: list of heirs name,address,amount\n"
             "Only used in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_event_summary), 7, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(edit_event_summary), 7, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_event_summary), 7, 2)
@@ -799,13 +806,13 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(reset_btn_7), 7, 3)
 
         lbl_event_description = QLabel(_("Event description"))
-        help_event_description = HelpButton(
+        help_event_description = HelpButton(_(
             "Default message to be used in event description\n"
             "Variables:\n"
             "  $wallet_name: name of wallet\n"
             "  $heirs_complete: list of heirs name,address,amount\n"
             "Only used in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_event_description), 8, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(edit_event_description), 8, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_event_description), 8, 2)
@@ -814,10 +821,10 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # Welist server URL: shown only in ADVANCED mode.  In BASIC mode the
         # factory default is always used and the setting is hidden.
         lbl_welist_server = QLabel(_("Welist Server URL"))
-        help_welist_server = HelpButton(
+        help_welist_server = HelpButton(_(
             "URL of the server that provides the will-executor list.  "
             "Only available in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_welist_server), 9, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(edit_welist_server), 9, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_welist_server), 9, 2)
@@ -825,11 +832,11 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(reset_btn_9), 9, 3)
 
         lbl_calendar_app = QLabel(_("Calendar app command"))
-        help_calendar_app = HelpButton(
+        help_calendar_app = HelpButton(_(
             "Command used to open .ics calendar files.\n"
             "Leave empty to use the system default (xdg-open/open/start).\n"
             "Only used in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_calendar_app), 10, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(edit_calendar_app), 10, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_calendar_app), 10, 2)
@@ -840,13 +847,13 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # label field is disabled while the checkbox is off (see
         # on_save_history_change above).
         lbl_save_history = QLabel(_("Save inheritance transactions in history"))
-        help_save_history = HelpButton(
+        help_save_history = HelpButton(_(
             "After each check, save the valid will transactions into the "
             "wallet's local history (the History tab), each with a label.\n"
             "The label may contain the variable:\n"
             "  {willexecutor}: replaced with the will-executor URL of the item\n"
             "Only used in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_save_history), 11, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(heir_save_history), 11, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_save_history), 11, 2)
@@ -854,13 +861,13 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(reset_btn_11), 11, 3)
 
         lbl_history_label = QLabel(_("History label"))
-        help_history_label = HelpButton(
+        help_history_label = HelpButton(_(
             "Label applied to the will transactions saved into the wallet's "
             "local history.\n"
             "Variables:\n"
             "  {willexecutor}: replaced with the will-executor URL of the item\n"
             "Only used in ADVANCED mode."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(lbl_history_label), 12, 0)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(edit_history_label), 12, 1)
         grid.addWidget(_hide_if_basic(help_history_label), 12, 2)
@@ -877,7 +884,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         grid.addWidget(heir_repush, 13, 0)
         grid.addWidget(
             HelpButton(
-                "Broadcast all transactions to willexecutors including those already pushed"
+                _("Broadcast all transactions to willexecutors including those already pushed")
             ),
             13,
             2,
@@ -887,12 +894,12 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # Placed below the rebroadcast button so the existing rows keep their
         # numbers.
         lbl_rebuild_on_close = QLabel(_("Rebuild will on wallet close"))
-        help_rebuild_on_close = HelpButton(
+        help_rebuild_on_close = HelpButton(_(
             "Run the 'Build your will' wizard every time the wallet is closed "
             "or Electrum is quit, so the will is rebuilt and re-validated.\n"
             "When disabled, the will is only rebuilt when you press Check or "
             "Prepare. The last built state is still saved to the wallet."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(lbl_rebuild_on_close, 14, 0)
         grid.addWidget(heir_rebuild_on_close, 14, 1)
         grid.addWidget(help_rebuild_on_close, 14, 2)
@@ -905,7 +912,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # BASIC + ADVANCED), right below the "Rebuild will on wallet close"
         # row.
         lbl_auto_rebuild = QLabel(_("Rebuild automatically on new transactions"))
-        help_auto_rebuild = HelpButton(
+        help_auto_rebuild = HelpButton(_(
             "When a new transaction arrives for the wallet, automatically "
             "rebuild the will the same way the wizard does at wallet close: "
             "the delivery date is anticipated by one day so the new will "
@@ -916,7 +923,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
             "threshold, or when the threshold is already in the past.\n"
             "When disabled (default), the will is only rebuilt on Check / "
             "Prepare / wallet close."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(lbl_auto_rebuild, 15, 0)
         grid.addWidget(heir_auto_rebuild, 15, 1)
         grid.addWidget(help_auto_rebuild, 15, 2)
@@ -929,13 +936,13 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         # size used when exporting a will via QR codes; changeable per export
         # inside the export dialog itself.
         lbl_qr_size = QLabel(_("QR Code Size"))
-        help_qr_size = HelpButton(
+        help_qr_size = HelpButton(_(
             "Payload size of a single QR code when exporting a will via QR.\n\n"
             "Larger QR codes hold more data (fewer shots) but are easier to "
             "scan with a high-resolution camera; smaller QR codes scan fine "
             "even with low-resolution cameras but require more shots.\n"
             "The same selector is available inside the export dialog."
-        )
+        ))
         grid.addWidget(lbl_qr_size, 16, 0)
         grid.addWidget(qr_size_combo, 16, 1)
         grid.addWidget(help_qr_size, 16, 2)
@@ -990,9 +997,9 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
                 elif kind == "spin":
                     widget.setValue(int(cfg.default))
                 elif kind == "line":
-                    widget.setText(cfg.default)
+                    widget.setText(cfg.localized_default())
                 elif kind == "text":
-                    widget.setPlainText(cfg.default)
+                    widget.setPlainText(cfg.localized_default())
                 elif kind == "user_type":
                     # Default is "basic" -> combo index 0; "advanced" -> index 1.
                     widget.setCurrentIndex(
@@ -1031,7 +1038,7 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
         bottom_row = QHBoxLayout()
         bottom_row.addWidget(btn_reset)
         bottom_row.addStretch(1)
-        bottom_row.addWidget(QLabel("<b>" + _("Support:") + "</b>"))
+        bottom_row.addWidget(QLabel("<b>{}</b>".format(_("Support:"))))
         bottom_row.addWidget(lbl_support)
 
         # Outer layout: warning (top) -> settings grid -> bottom button row.
@@ -1083,6 +1090,11 @@ class Plugin(BalPlugin, EventListener):
                         )
 
     def get_window_title(self, title):
-        return _("BAL - ") + _(title)
+        """Return the window title "BAL - <title>".
+
+        ``title`` must already be translated by the caller: a variable passed
+        to _() cannot be extracted into the catalog.
+        """
+        return _("BAL - {}").format(title)
 
 
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/theme.py b/bal/gui/qt/theme.py
index a455811..7ece6cb 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/theme.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/theme.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def server_status_text(will_item) -> str:
     the user always knows whether each inheritance transaction is actually
     stored on the will-executor servers, regardless of the row colour.
     """
-    from electrum.i18n import _
+    from ...i18n import _
 
     if will_item.get_status("CHECK_FAIL") and not will_item.get_status("CHECKED"):
         return _("Not on server")
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def server_status_text(will_item) -> str:
 def server_status_tooltip(will_item) -> str:
     """Return a detailed tooltip for the "Server" column, including the
     will-executor URL (if any) and the current server state."""
-    from electrum.i18n import _
+    from ...i18n import _
 
     url = None
     we = getattr(will_item, "we", None)
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/widgets.py b/bal/gui/qt/widgets.py
index 1c1deb7..8eccef5 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/widgets.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/widgets.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from ...core.reminders import build_ics_reminders, write_temp_ics
 from .calendar import BalCalendar, BalCalendarButton
 from .common import (
     DECIMAL_POINT,
+    N_,
     NLOCKTIME_BLOCKHEIGHT_MAX,
     NLOCKTIME_MAX,
     Any,
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ from .common import (
     _logger,
     char_width_in_lineedit,
     datetime,
+    format_status_history,
     getSaveFileName,
     log_error,
     os,
@@ -207,10 +209,10 @@ class BalTimeEditWidget(QWidget, _LockTimeEditor):
     current_index = None
     default_value = None
 
-    help_text = (
+    help_text = N_(
         "if you choose Raw, you can insert various options based on suffix:\n"
-        + " - d: number of days after current day(ex: 1d means tomorrow)\n"
-        + " - y: number of years after currrent day(ex: 1y means one year from today)\n"
+        " - d: number of days after current day(ex: 1d means tomorrow)\n"
+        " - y: number of years after currrent day(ex: 1y means one year from today)\n"
     )
     label_text = None
     tooltip_text = None
@@ -276,7 +278,9 @@ class BalTimeEditWidget(QWidget, _LockTimeEditor):
                     ]
                 )
         #hbox.addWidget(QLabel(self.label_text))
-        help_button=HelpButton(self.help_text)
+        # help_text and tooltip_text are class attributes marked with N_():
+        # translate them here, when shown.
+        help_button=HelpButton(_(self.help_text))
         help_button.setText(self.label_text)
         # Show a short label (e.g. "Delivery time" / "Check Alive") when the
         # user hovers the icon, so the emoji button is self-explanatory.
@@ -625,7 +629,7 @@ class LockTimeDateEdit(QDateTimeEdit, _LockTimeEditor):
 
 class ThresholdTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
     # rich_text=True is used by the HelpButton, so HTML tags (<b>, <br>) render.
-    help_text = (
+    help_text = N_(
         "<b>CHECK ALIVE</b><br><br>"
         "In DATA mode:<br>"
         "set the date for the \u201ccheck alive\u201d parameter.<br>"
@@ -644,7 +648,7 @@ class ThresholdTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
     )
     label_text = "🚨"
     #label_text = "Check Alive"
-    tooltip_text = "Check Alive"
+    tooltip_text = N_("Check Alive")
     base_field = "threshold"
 
     def __init__(self, bal_window, parent, init_value=None):
@@ -659,7 +663,7 @@ class ThresholdTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
 
 class LockTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
     # rich_text=True is used by the HelpButton, so HTML tags (<b>, <br>) render.
-    help_text = (
+    help_text = N_(
         "<b>DELIVERY TIME</b><br><br>"
         "Set Locktime for transactions.<br>"
         "Any time is needed transaction will be anticipated by 1day<br><br>"
@@ -677,7 +681,7 @@ class LockTimeWidget(BalTimeEditWidget):
     #label_text = "Locktime"
     # Hover tooltip for the delivery-time icon; mirrors the style of the fee
     # icon tooltip ("..., click for more information") so the two are consistent.
-    tooltip_text = "Delivery Time, click for more information"
+    tooltip_text = N_("Delivery Time, click for more information")
     base_field = "locktime"
 
     def __init__(self, bal_window, parent, init_value=None):
@@ -1088,9 +1092,12 @@ class WillSettingsWidget(QWidget):
             basic_mode = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.is_basic_mode()
             if basic_mode:
                 # BASIC mode: use factory defaults (the hidden settings are
-                # ignored) and the fixed 30/10/1 offsets.
-                raw_description = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_DESCRIPTION.default
-                raw_summary = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_SUMMARY.default
+                # ignored) and the fixed 30/10/1 offsets. The defaults are in
+                # the GUI language (see BalConfig).
+                raw_description = (
+                    self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_DESCRIPTION.localized_default()
+                )
+                raw_summary = self.bal_window.bal_plugin.EVENT_SUMMARY.localized_default()
                 threshold = None
                 num_reminders = 3
             else:
@@ -1120,6 +1127,7 @@ class WillSettingsWidget(QWidget):
                 version=self.bal_window.bal_plugin.version,
                 num_reminders=num_reminders,
                 threshold=threshold,
+                reminder_suffix=_("(reminder {idx}/{total})"),
             )
         except Exception as e:
             _logger.error(f"failed to generate .ics: {e}")
@@ -1199,7 +1207,7 @@ class PercAmountEdit(BTCAmountEdit):
                 painter.drawText(
                     text_rect,
                     int(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight | Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignVCenter),
-                    self.base_unit() + " or perc value",
+                    _("{} or perc value").format(self.base_unit()),
                 )
 
 
@@ -1317,11 +1325,12 @@ class WillWidget(QWidget):
                 creation = str(BalTimestamp(self.will[w].time))
 
                 def qlabel(title, value):
-                    label = "<b>" + _(str(title)) + f":</b>\t{str(value)}"
-                    return QLabel(label)
+                    # ``title`` is shown as it is: callers pass a translated
+                    # label, or data (an heir name, a will-executor URL).
+                    return QLabel("<b>{}:</b>\t{}".format(title, value))
 
-                detaillayout.addWidget(qlabel("Locktime", locktime))
-                detaillayout.addWidget(qlabel("Creation Time", creation))
+                detaillayout.addWidget(qlabel(_("Locktime"), locktime))
+                detaillayout.addWidget(qlabel(_("Creation Time"), creation))
                 try:
                     total_fees = (
                         self.will[w].tx.input_value() - self.will[w].tx.output_value()
@@ -1331,12 +1340,17 @@ class WillWidget(QWidget):
                 decoded_fees = total_fees
                 fee_per_byte = round(total_fees / self.will[w].tx.estimated_size(), 3)
                 fees_str = str(decoded_fees) + " (" + str(fee_per_byte) + " sats/vbyte)"
-                detaillayout.addWidget(qlabel("Transaction fees:", fees_str))
+                detaillayout.addWidget(qlabel(_("Transaction fees"), fees_str))
+                # The saved status history is English: translate it for display.
                 detaillayout.addWidget(
-                    qlabel("Status:", self.will[w].status + signature_suffix(self.will[w]))
+                    qlabel(
+                        _("Status"),
+                        format_status_history(self.will[w].status)
+                        + signature_suffix(self.will[w]),
+                    )
                 )
                 detaillayout.addWidget(QLabel(""))
-                detaillayout.addWidget(QLabel("<b>Heirs:</b>"))
+                detaillayout.addWidget(QLabel("<b>{}</b>".format(_("Heirs:"))))
                 for heir_name in self.will[w].heirs:
                     if 'w!ll3x3c"' in heir_name:
                         continue
@@ -1363,7 +1377,9 @@ class WillWidget(QWidget):
                         )
                 if self.will[w].we:
                     detaillayout.addWidget(QLabel(""))
-                    detaillayout.addWidget(QLabel(_("<b>Willexecutor:</b:")))
+                    detaillayout.addWidget(
+                        QLabel("<b>{}</b>".format(_("Willexecutor:")))
+                    )
                     decoded_amount = Util.decode_amount(
                         self.will[w].we["base_fee"], self._bal_parent.decimal_point
                     )
diff --git a/bal/gui/qt/window.py b/bal/gui/qt/window.py
index 55c3784..0ab2e91 100644
--- a/bal/gui/qt/window.py
+++ b/bal/gui/qt/window.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from ...core.checkalive import (
     resolve_guard_threshold,
 )
 from .common import (
+    N_,
     OP_RETURN_PREFIX,
     AmountException,
     BalPlugin,
@@ -282,12 +283,12 @@ class BalWindow:
 
     def new_heir_dialog(self, heir_key=None):
         heir = self.heirs.get(heir_key)
-        title = "New heir"
+        title = _("New heir")
         if heir:
-            title = f"Edit: {heir_key}"
+            title = _("Edit: {}").format(heir_key)
 
         d = BalDialog(
-            self.window, self.bal_plugin, self.bal_plugin.get_window_title(_(title))
+            self.window, self.bal_plugin, self.bal_plugin.get_window_title(title)
         )
 
         vbox = QVBoxLayout(d)
@@ -828,12 +829,12 @@ class BalWindow:
             except AmountException as e:
                 self.show_warning(
                     _(
-                        f"In the inheritance process, the entire wallet will always be fully emptied. Your settings require an adjustment of the amounts.{e}"
-                    )
+                        "In the inheritance process, the entire wallet will always be fully emptied. Your settings require an adjustment of the amounts.{}"
+                    ).format(e)
                 )
             except WillExecutorFeeTooHighException as e:
                 self.show_error(
-                    _(f"Will-executor fee too high: {e}")
+                    _("Will-executor fee too high: {}").format(e)
                 )
                 return
             except CheckAliveError:
@@ -919,27 +920,27 @@ class BalWindow:
                 _logger.info("{}:{}".format(type(e), e))
                 message = False
                 if isinstance(e, HeirChangeException):
-                    message = "Heirs changed:"
+                    message = _("Heirs changed:")
                 elif isinstance(e, WillExecutorNotPresent):
-                    message = "Will-Executor not present:"
+                    message = _("Will-Executor not present:")
                 elif isinstance(e, WillexecutorChangeException):
-                    message = "Will-Executor changed"
+                    message = _("Will-Executor changed")
                 elif isinstance(e, TxFeesChangedException):
-                    message = "Txfees are changed"
+                    message = _("Txfees are changed")
                 elif isinstance(e, HeirNotFoundException):
                     # Task #01b: replace the misleading "Heir not found" text.
                     # This branch is most often hit because the delivery date
                     # was anticipated, not because an heir is missing, so we use
                     # a clear message that covers both the DATE and the HEIRS
                     # cases (kept consistent with dialogs.py / the CHECK window).
-                    message = (
+                    message = _(
                         "Found CHANGES to the DATE or the HEIRS,\n"
                         "a NEW WILL must be prepared."
                     )
 
                 if message:
                     self.show_message(
-                        f"{_(message)}:\n {e}\n{_('will have to be built')}"
+                        "{}:\n {}\n{}".format(message, e, _("will have to be built"))
                     )
 
                 _logger.info("build will")
@@ -959,7 +960,7 @@ class BalWindow:
                     self.invalidate_will()
                 except NotCompleteWillException as e:
                     self.show_error(
-                        "Error:{}\n {}".format(
+                        _("Error:{}\n {}").format(
                             str(e),
                             _("Please, check your heirs, locktime and threshold!"),
                         )
@@ -1019,7 +1020,9 @@ class BalWindow:
         except SerializationError as e:
             _logger.error("unable to deserialize the transaction")
             parent.show_critical(
-                _("Electrum was unable to deserialize the transaction:") + "\n" + str(e)
+                "{}\n{}".format(
+                    _("Electrum was unable to deserialize the transaction:"), e
+                )
             )
         else:
             # Electrum's own TxDialog: keep it in front of the main window.
@@ -1087,8 +1090,8 @@ class BalWindow:
                 def get_message():
                     msg = ""
                     if signed:
-                        msg = _(f"signed: {signed}\n")
-                    return msg + _(f"signing: {tosign}")
+                        msg = _("signed: {}").format(signed) + "\n"
+                    return msg + _("signing: {}").format(tosign)
 
                 if txids is not None:
                     targets = [
@@ -1610,7 +1613,7 @@ class BalWindow:
         willexecutors = Willexecutors.get_willexecutor_transactions(willitems, force=force)
 
         def getMsg(willexecutors):
-            msg = "Broadcasting Transactions to Will-Executors:\n"
+            msg = _("Broadcasting Transactions to Will-Executors:") + "\n"
             for url in willexecutors:
                 msg += f"{url}:\t{willexecutors[url]['broadcast_status']}\n"
             return msg
@@ -1664,8 +1667,8 @@ class BalWindow:
                 if self.waiting_dialog._stopping:
                     return
                 self.waiting_dialog.update(
-                    "checking {} - {} : {}".format(
-                        willitems[wid].we["url"], wid, "Waiting"
+                    _("checking {} - {} : {}").format(
+                        willitems[wid].we["url"], wid, _("Waiting")
                     )
                 )
                 w = willitems[wid]
@@ -1673,7 +1676,7 @@ class BalWindow:
                     Willexecutors.check_transaction(wid, w.we["url"])
                 )
                 self.waiting_dialog.update(
-                    "checked {} - {} : {}".format(
+                    _("checked {} - {} : {}").format(
                         willitems[wid].we["url"],
                         wid,
                         willitems[wid].get_status("CHECKED"),
@@ -2142,7 +2145,7 @@ class BalWindow:
 
     # Simple, user-facing message shown when the download fails for any reason
     # (the technical cause is in the Electrum log).
-    DOWNLOAD_FAILED_MESSAGE = (
+    DOWNLOAD_FAILED_MESSAGE = N_(
         "Could not download the will-executors list.\n\n"
         "This is usually caused by your internet connection or a firewall, "
         "not by the plugin. Please check your connection (a VPN often helps) "
@@ -2152,7 +2155,7 @@ class BalWindow:
     # Shown when the download fails while Electrum is connected through Tor:
     # the most common cause is a slow Tor connection, so guide the user
     # accordingly instead of the generic message above.
-    DOWNLOAD_FAILED_TOR_MESSAGE = (
+    DOWNLOAD_FAILED_TOR_MESSAGE = N_(
         "Could not download the will-executors list over Tor.\n\n"
         "Electrum is connected through Tor and the connection is taking too "
         "long. Your Tor connection may be slow. Please try again, or use a VPN "
@@ -2225,27 +2228,27 @@ class BalWindow:
                 if err.url and err.reason == "empty response":
                     # Server reached but returned no data for this chain.
                     self.show_warning(_(
-                        f"No active will-executor servers found for the "
-                        f"{err.chain} network.\n\n"
-                        f"The welist server at {err.url} responded but "
-                        f"returned no will-executors for this chain."
-                    ))
+                        "No active will-executor servers found for the "
+                        "{chain} network.\n\n"
+                        "The welist server at {url} responded but "
+                        "returned no will-executors for this chain."
+                    ).format(chain=err.chain, url=err.url))
                 elif err.url:
                     # Advanced mode with a non-empty error (network issue).
                     self.show_warning(_(
-                        f"Could not reach the configured welist server.\n\n"
-                        f"Server: {err.url}\n"
-                        f"Error: {err.reason}\n\n"
-                        f"Please verify the welist server URL in the plugin "
-                        f"settings."
-                    ))
+                        "Could not reach the configured welist server.\n\n"
+                        "Server: {url}\n"
+                        "Error: {reason}\n\n"
+                        "Please verify the welist server URL in the plugin "
+                        "settings."
+                    ).format(url=err.url, reason=err.reason))
                 else:
                     # Basic mode: the server responded but has no data for this
                     # chain.
                     self.show_warning(_(
-                        f"No active will-executor found for the "
-                        f"{err.chain} network."
-                    ))
+                        "No active will-executor found for the "
+                        "{chain} network."
+                    ).format(chain=err.chain))
             else:
                 # Tor-aware: a generic failure/timeout while on Tor is most
                 # likely a slow Tor connection.
diff --git a/bal/i18n.py b/bal/i18n.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a734f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bal/i18n.py
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+"""
+bal.i18n
+========
+
+Translation layer of the BAL plugin (gettext domain ``bal``).
+
+Why BAL has its own catalog
+---------------------------
+Electrum translates its interface with gettext (domain ``electrum``). Its
+translators only see Electrum's own source code, so the texts of an external
+(zip) plugin such as BAL are not in Electrum's catalog, and Electrum offers no
+way to translate external plugins. BAL therefore ships its own compiled
+catalogs inside the plugin: ``locale/<lang>/LC_MESSAGES/bal.mo``.
+
+Lookup order
+------------
+:func:`_` returns the first translation found in:
+
+1. **Electrum's catalog.** When Electrum already translates the exact same
+   English text, its translation wins. BAL then reads like Electrum and
+   follows Electrum's own translation fixes; if Electrum ever ships BAL as an
+   internal plugin, Electrum's translations take over with no change here
+   (owner's decision D7 in ``PLAN_I18N.md``).
+2. **BAL's catalog**, for the texts that only BAL has.
+3. **The English source text.**
+
+Language
+--------
+Electrum picks the GUI language once, at start-up (``run_electrum``), and a
+change needs a restart. :func:`init_from_config` repeats Electrum's choice
+once, when the Qt plugin is created. BAL never detects the language by
+itself: otherwise part of a window could be in one language and part in
+another. The CLI never calls it, so the CLI stays in English, like Electrum's.
+
+Rules for translatable texts
+----------------------------
+* Wrap literal English text only: ``_("Sign the will")``.
+* Put the variable parts in ``{}`` and fill them *after* translating:
+  ``_("{} heirs").format(count)``. Never build the text with an f-string or
+  ``%`` inside ``_()``: it would change at run time and never match a catalog
+  entry (Ruff rules INT001-INT003 catch this).
+* Texts evaluated at import time (class attributes, tables, constants) are
+  marked with :func:`N_` and passed to ``_()`` when they are displayed. Every
+  class body runs before :func:`init_from_config`, so a ``_()`` there would
+  always return English.
+* Never translate text that is stored or compared (wallet labels, the saved
+  status history, config values used to recognise BAL transactions): stored
+  data must not depend on the UI language.
+"""
+
+import gettext
+import io
+import string
+from typing import Optional
+
+from electrum.i18n import _ as _electrum_gettext
+from electrum.logging import get_logger
+
+_logger = get_logger(__name__)
+
+#: gettext domain of the BAL catalogs.
+DOMAIN = "bal"
+
+# BAL catalog of the current language, or None (English, CLI, or no usable
+# catalog). Set by set_language().
+_catalog: Optional[gettext.GNUTranslations] = None
+
+# Source texts whose BAL translation was rejected: the warning is logged once,
+# not at every repaint of the widget that shows the text.
+_rejected: set = set()
+
+_formatter = string.Formatter()
+
+
+def keeps_format_fields(msg: str, translation: str) -> bool:
+    """Tell whether ``translation`` keeps the ``{}`` fields of ``msg``.
+
+    A translation that adds, drops or renames a replacement field would make
+    the ``.format()`` call that follows raise, or put a value in the wrong
+    place, so such a translation must not be used.
+
+    The rules are copied from Electrum's
+    ``_ensure_translation_keeps_format_string_syntax_similar``
+    (``electrum/i18n.py``, MIT licence, Copyright (C) The Electrum developers)
+    rather than importing that private function, which may change without
+    notice. Keep them identical, so a BAL translation is accepted or rejected
+    exactly like an Electrum one. The only addition: a malformed source text
+    returns False here instead of raising.
+    """
+    try:
+        # Tuples of (literal_text, field_name, format_spec, conversion).
+        parsed1 = list(_formatter.parse(msg))
+        parsed2 = list(_formatter.parse(translation))
+    except ValueError:  # malformed format string
+        return False
+    if len(parsed1) != len(parsed2):
+        return False
+    # The set of field names must not change (re-ordering them is allowed).
+    return {t[1] for t in parsed1} == {t[1] for t in parsed2}
+
+
+def _(msg: str) -> str:
+    """Return ``msg`` translated into the GUI language.
+
+    See the module docstring for the lookup order. ``_("")`` returns ``""``:
+    for gettext the empty text is the key of the catalog header.
+    """
+    if msg == "":
+        return ""
+    translation = _electrum_gettext(msg)
+    if translation != msg or _catalog is None:
+        # Electrum's translation wins (Electrum has already checked its {}
+        # fields); without a BAL catalog there is nothing else to look up.
+        return translation
+    translation = _catalog.gettext(msg)
+    if translation == msg or keeps_format_fields(msg, translation):
+        return translation
+    if msg not in _rejected:
+        _rejected.add(msg)
+        _logger.warning(
+            f"rejected BAL translation, replacement fields differ: "
+            f"{msg!r} -> {translation!r}"
+        )
+    return msg
+
+
+def N_(msg: str) -> str:  # noqa: N802 (the conventional gettext marker name)
+    """Mark ``msg`` as translatable and return it unchanged.
+
+    Used where a text is defined at import time (class attributes, tables,
+    constants). Extraction tools (Babel, xgettext) collect ``N_("...")`` like
+    ``_("...")``; the code passes the value to ``_()`` when it shows it.
+    """
+    return msg
+
+
+def set_language(plugin, lang: Optional[str]) -> None:
+    """Load the BAL catalog of ``lang`` (for example ``"it_IT"``), or none.
+
+    ``None``, ``""`` and English (``"en_*"``) load no catalog, so the English
+    source texts are shown, as Electrum does for ``en_*``.
+
+    The catalog is read with ``plugin.read_file()``, the Electrum API BAL uses
+    for its icons: it works both from the installed zip and from a development
+    checkout. ``gettext.translation(localedir=...)`` is not used because,
+    pointed inside a zip, it silently finds nothing.
+
+    If ``locale/<lang>/`` has no catalog, the plain language code is tried
+    (``locale/it/`` for ``it_IT``). A missing or unreadable catalog is logged
+    and BAL stays in English: a translation problem must never stop the
+    plugin.
+    """
+    global _catalog
+    _catalog = None
+    _rejected.clear()
+    if not isinstance(lang, str) or not lang or lang.startswith("en_"):
+        return
+    codes = [lang]
+    if "_" in lang:
+        codes.append(lang.split("_", 1)[0])
+    for code in codes:
+        path = "locale/{}/LC_MESSAGES/{}.mo".format(code, DOMAIN)
+        try:
+            data = plugin.read_file(path)
+        except Exception:
+            # Not shipped for this code (a zip raises KeyError, a development
+            # folder raises OSError): try the next code.
+            continue
+        try:
+            _catalog = gettext.GNUTranslations(io.BytesIO(data))
+        except Exception as e:
+            _logger.info(f"unreadable BAL catalog {path}, using English: {e!r}")
+            return
+        _logger.info(f"BAL catalog loaded: {path}")
+        return
+    _logger.info(f"no BAL catalog for {lang!r}, using English")
+
+
+def init_from_config(plugin, config) -> None:
+    """Load the BAL catalog of the language Electrum's Qt GUI is using.
+
+    Repeats Electrum's own choice in ``run_electrum``: the ``language``
+    setting (Preferences > Language) or, when it is empty, the system language
+    if Electrum supports it, else English. Called once, from the Qt plugin's
+    ``__init__``. Never raises.
+    """
+    try:
+        lang = config.LOCALIZATION_LANGUAGE
+        if not lang:
+            from electrum.gui.default_lang import get_default_language
+
+            lang = get_default_language(gui_name="qt")
+    except Exception as e:
+        # Electrum also falls back to English when it cannot read the
+        # system language.
+        _logger.info(f"could not read the GUI language, using English: {e!r}")
+        lang = None
+    set_language(plugin, lang)
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 97a6aae..879f935 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ line-length = 88
 target-version = "py312"
 
 [tool.ruff.lint]
-select =["E", "W", "F", "I", "N", "B"]
+select =["E", "W", "F", "I", "N", "B", "INT"]  # INT: gettext rules (see bal/i18n.py)
 ignore = ["E501"]
 
 [tool.ruff.lint.pep8-naming]
diff --git a/tests/test_i18n.py b/tests/test_i18n.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3cd9f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_i18n.py
@@ -0,0 +1,309 @@
+"""Tests for bal/i18n.py, BAL's translation layer (PLAN_I18N.md, phase 1).
+
+The BAL catalogs are built in memory (see ``_mo_bytes``), so these tests need
+no compiled .mo file and no Babel. Electrum's translator is replaced by a
+small dictionary, so the tests do not depend on Electrum's own catalogs.
+
+Run standalone (``python3 tests/test_i18n.py``) or with pytest.
+"""
+
+import array
+import os
+import struct
+import sys
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), os.pardir))
+
+from bal import i18n  # noqa: E402
+
+IT_MO = "locale/it_IT/LC_MESSAGES/bal.mo"
+
+
+def _mo_bytes(messages):
+    """Return a GNU .mo catalog (UTF-8) holding ``messages`` {msgid: msgstr}.
+
+    Same layout as CPython's Tools/i18n/msgfmt.py: header, the sorted msgid
+    and msgstr index tables, then the NUL-terminated strings.
+    """
+    entries = {"": "Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8\n"}
+    entries.update(messages)
+    keys = sorted(entries)
+    ids = strs = b""
+    offsets = []
+    for key in keys:
+        msgid, msgstr = key.encode("utf-8"), entries[key].encode("utf-8")
+        offsets.append((len(ids), len(msgid), len(strs), len(msgstr)))
+        ids += msgid + b"\0"
+        strs += msgstr + b"\0"
+    keystart = 7 * 4 + 16 * len(keys)
+    valuestart = keystart + len(ids)
+    koffsets, voffsets = [], []
+    for o1, l1, o2, l2 in offsets:
+        koffsets += [l1, o1 + keystart]
+        voffsets += [l2, o2 + valuestart]
+    header = struct.pack(
+        "Iiiiiii", 0x950412DE, 0, len(keys), 7 * 4, 7 * 4 + len(keys) * 8, 0, 0
+    )
+    return header + array.array("i", koffsets + voffsets).tobytes() + ids + strs
+
+
+class FakePlugin:
+    """Stands in for Electrum's BasePlugin: serves read_file() from a dict."""
+
+    def __init__(self, files=None):
+        self.files = files or {}
+        self.requested = []
+
+    def read_file(self, filename):
+        self.requested.append(filename)
+        if filename not in self.files:
+            raise KeyError(filename)  # what a missing entry in the zip raises
+        return self.files[filename]
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def _i18n_state(electrum=None, files=None, lang=None):
+    """Fake Electrum's translations, load a fake BAL catalog, restore after.
+
+    Restoring matters: bal.i18n keeps module-level state, shared with every
+    other test of the same pytest run.
+    """
+    saved = (i18n._electrum_gettext, i18n._catalog)
+    table = electrum or {}
+    i18n._electrum_gettext = lambda msg: table.get(msg, msg)
+    plugin = FakePlugin(files)
+    try:
+        i18n.set_language(plugin, lang)
+        yield plugin
+    finally:
+        i18n._electrum_gettext, i18n._catalog = saved
+        i18n._rejected.clear()
+
+
+def test_empty_string_is_never_translated():
+    # For gettext "" is the key of the catalog header.
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: _mo_bytes({})}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert i18n._catalog is not None
+        assert i18n._("") == ""
+
+
+def test_electrum_translation_wins_over_bal_catalog():
+    catalog = _mo_bytes({"Cancel": "Cancella", "Heirs": "Eredi"})
+    with _i18n_state(
+        electrum={"Cancel": "Annulla"}, files={IT_MO: catalog}, lang="it_IT"
+    ):
+        assert i18n._("Cancel") == "Annulla"  # Electrum has it: Electrum wins
+        assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Eredi"  # only BAL has it
+
+
+def test_english_source_when_nobody_translates():
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert i18n._("Not in any catalog") == "Not in any catalog"
+
+
+def test_translation_with_different_fields_is_rejected():
+    catalog = _mo_bytes(
+        {
+            "{} heirs": "eredi",  # field dropped: rejected
+            "Fee: {}": "Commissione: {}",
+            "{0} of {1}": "{1} di {0}",  # re-ordered: allowed
+            "Hello {name}": "Ciao {nome}",  # field renamed: rejected
+        }
+    )
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: catalog}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert i18n._("{} heirs") == "{} heirs"
+        assert i18n._("Fee: {}") == "Commissione: {}"
+        assert i18n._("{0} of {1}") == "{1} di {0}"
+        assert i18n._("Hello {name}") == "Hello {name}"
+
+
+def test_keeps_format_fields():
+    assert i18n.keeps_format_fields("Amount: {}", "Importo: {}")
+    assert not i18n.keeps_format_fields("Amount: {}", "Importo")
+    assert not i18n.keeps_format_fields("Amount: {}", "Importo: {} {}")
+    assert not i18n.keeps_format_fields("Amount: {}", "Importo: {")  # malformed
+    assert i18n.keeps_format_fields("$wallet_name", "$wallet_name")
+
+
+def test_english_loads_no_catalog():
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})}, lang="en_UK") as p:
+        assert i18n._catalog is None
+        assert p.requested == []
+        assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Heirs"
+
+
+def test_no_language_loads_no_catalog():
+    for lang in (None, ""):
+        with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})}, lang=lang):
+            assert i18n._catalog is None
+
+
+def test_missing_catalog_falls_back_to_english():
+    with _i18n_state(files={}, lang="it_IT") as plugin:
+        assert i18n._catalog is None
+        assert plugin.requested == [IT_MO, "locale/it/LC_MESSAGES/bal.mo"]
+        assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Heirs"
+
+
+def test_broken_catalog_falls_back_to_english():
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: b"this is not a catalog"}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert i18n._catalog is None
+        assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Heirs"
+
+
+def test_language_code_without_country_is_tried():
+    files = {"locale/it/LC_MESSAGES/bal.mo": _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})}
+    with _i18n_state(files=files, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Eredi"
+
+
+def test_n_marks_without_translating():
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert i18n.N_("Heirs") == "Heirs"
+        assert i18n._(i18n.N_("Heirs")) == "Eredi"
+
+
+def test_init_from_config_uses_electrum_language_setting():
+    config = SimpleNamespace(LOCALIZATION_LANGUAGE="it_IT")
+    plugin = FakePlugin({IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})})
+    with _i18n_state():
+        i18n.init_from_config(plugin, config)
+        assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Eredi"
+
+
+def test_init_from_config_without_setting_uses_system_language():
+    import electrum.gui.default_lang as default_lang
+
+    saved = default_lang.get_default_language
+    default_lang.get_default_language = lambda gui_name=None: "it_IT"
+    config = SimpleNamespace(LOCALIZATION_LANGUAGE="")
+    plugin = FakePlugin({IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})})
+    try:
+        with _i18n_state():
+            i18n.init_from_config(plugin, config)
+            assert i18n._("Heirs") == "Eredi"
+    finally:
+        default_lang.get_default_language = saved
+
+
+def test_init_from_config_never_raises():
+    plugin = FakePlugin({IT_MO: _mo_bytes({"Heirs": "Eredi"})})
+    with _i18n_state():
+        i18n.init_from_config(plugin, object())  # config without the setting
+        assert i18n._catalog is None
+
+
+# --- Stored data stays language-neutral (PLAN_I18N.md, phase 2) -------------
+
+
+def test_status_history_is_stored_in_english():
+    from bal.core.will import WillItem
+
+    catalog = _mo_bytes({"Signed": "Firmato", "Valid": "Valida"})
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: catalog}, lang="it_IT"):
+        # A bare item: set_status() only needs its status fields.
+        item = WillItem.__new__(WillItem)
+        item.status = ""
+        item.STATUS = WillItem.copy_status_table(WillItem.STATUS_DEFAULT)
+        item.set_status("COMPLETE", True)
+        item.set_status("VALID", False)
+        assert item.status == ".Signed.NOT Valid"
+
+
+def test_status_history_is_translated_for_display():
+    from bal.core.will import format_status_history
+
+    catalog = _mo_bytes(
+        {
+            "Signed": "Firmato",
+            "Valid": "Valida",
+            "NOT {}": "NON {}",
+            "New": "Nuovo",
+            "Replaced": "Sostituita",
+        }
+    )
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: catalog}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert format_status_history(".Signed.NOT Valid") == ".Firmato.NON Valida"
+        # A real history saved by an older version (tests/samanta7), which
+        # stored some labels already translated: known English labels are
+        # translated, the other tokens are kept as they are.
+        assert (
+            format_status_history("New.Firmato.Pushed.Checked.Replaced")
+            == "Nuovo.Firmato.Pushed.Checked.Sostituita"
+        )
+        assert format_status_history(".SignedERROR!!!") == ".FirmatoERROR!!!"
+    with _i18n_state():  # English GUI: shown exactly as stored
+        assert format_status_history("New.Firmato.Pushed") == "New.Firmato.Pushed"
+
+
+class _FakeConfig(dict):
+    """Minimal stand-in for Electrum's SimpleConfig (get / set_key)."""
+
+    def get(self, key, default=None):
+        return dict.get(self, key, default)
+
+    def set_key(self, key, value, save=True):
+        self[key] = value
+
+
+def test_translatable_config_default_follows_language():
+    from bal.core.plugin_base import BalConfig
+
+    config = _FakeConfig()
+    summary = BalConfig(config, "summary", "Will of $wallet_name", translatable=True)
+    plain = BalConfig(config, "label", "BAL label")
+    catalog = _mo_bytes(
+        {"Will of $wallet_name": "Testamento di $wallet_name", "BAL label": "X"}
+    )
+    with _i18n_state(files={IT_MO: catalog}, lang="it_IT"):
+        assert summary.get() == "Testamento di $wallet_name"  # nothing stored
+        assert summary.localized_default() == "Testamento di $wallet_name"
+        summary.set("Testamento di $wallet_name")  # e.g. the reset button
+        assert config["summary"] == "Will of $wallet_name"  # stored in English
+        assert summary.get() == "Testamento di $wallet_name"
+        summary.set("My own text")  # the user's text is kept as it is
+        assert summary.get() == "My own text"
+        assert plain.get() == "BAL label"  # not translatable: never translated
+    with _i18n_state():
+        summary.set("Will of $wallet_name")
+        assert summary.get() == "Will of $wallet_name"
+
+
+def test_calendar_reminder_suffix_is_translatable():
+    from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+
+    from bal.core.reminders import build_ics_reminders
+
+    now = datetime(2026, 1, 1)
+    kwargs = dict(
+        locktime=now + timedelta(days=400), basic_mode=True, description="d",
+        summary="s", wallet_name="w", heirs_details="", version="0", now=now,
+    )
+    assert "s (reminder 1/" in build_ics_reminders(**kwargs)  # CLI default
+    ics = build_ics_reminders(reminder_suffix="(promemoria {idx}/{total})", **kwargs)
+    assert "s (promemoria 1/" in ics
+
+
+def test_qr_preset_labels_match_chunk_presets():
+    # The labels are marked for translation in common.py because
+    # qrtransfer.py must stay free of Electrum imports (Android copy).
+    from bal.core.qrtransfer import CHUNK_PRESETS
+    from bal.gui.qt.common import QR_PRESET_LABELS
+
+    assert tuple(label for label, _budget in CHUNK_PRESETS) == QR_PRESET_LABELS
+
+
+def test_real_translator_is_electrums():
+    # Outside the fakes above, BAL asks Electrum's real translator first.
+    from electrum.i18n import _ as electrum_gettext
+
+    assert i18n._electrum_gettext is electrum_gettext
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    tests = [v for k, v in sorted(globals().items()) if k.startswith("test_")]
+    for test in tests:
+        test()
+    print(f"[OK] All {len(tests)} i18n tests passed")