#define gettext_noop(x) (x) char *item_names[] = { gettext_noop("files"), gettext_noop("messages"), gettext_noop("tapes"), gettext_noop("penguins"), gettext_noop("floppies") }; ... if((index >= 0) && (index <= 4)) items = gettext(item_names[index]); else items = gettext("unknown items"); printf(gettext("You have %d %s\n"), quantity, items);