diff --git a/openstackclient/i18n.py b/openstackclient/i18n.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bd52d64838
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openstackclient/i18n.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#   Copyright 2012-2013 OpenStack Foundation
+#
+#   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#   not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#   a copy of the License at
+#
+#        http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#   Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#   distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#   WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#   License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#   under the License.
+#
+
+from oslo import i18n
+
+_translators = i18n.TranslatorFactory(domain='openstackclient')
+
+# The primary translation function using the well-known name "_"
+_ = _translators.primary
+
+# Translators for log levels.
+#
+# The abbreviated names are meant to reflect the usual use of a short
+# name like '_'. The "L" is for "log" and the other letter comes from
+# the level.
+_LI = _translators.log_info
+_LW = _translators.log_warning
+_LE = _translators.log_error
+_LC = _translators.log_critical