diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3042647..71eab3f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 *.lo
 *.o
 *.obj
+*.mo
+*.pot
+*.po~
 
 # Precompiled Headers
 *.gch
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 4867649..b67b4e0 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -62,6 +62,20 @@ include_directories(
     ${JSONCPP_INCLUDE_DIRS}
 )
 
+option(TRANSLATION_SUPPORT "Add support for loading translations, requires tinygettext" OFF)
+
+# Create translations
+if(TRANSLATION_SUPPORT)
+    pkg_search_module(TINYGETTEXT REQUIRED tinygettext)
+    if(BUILD_STATIC)
+        target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME} PRIVATE ${TINYGETTEXT_STATIC_LIBRARIES})
+    else()
+        target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME} PRIVATE  ${TINYGETTEXT_LIBRARIES})
+    endif()
+
+    add_compile_definitions(TRANSLATION_SUPPORT=1)
+endif()
+
 # Set asset paths
 set(ASSETS_FONTS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/fonts")
 set(ASSETS_IMAGES "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/images")
@@ -69,6 +83,9 @@ set(ASSETS_LEVELS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/levels")
 set(ASSETS_SOUNDS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/sounds")
 set(ASSETS_MUSIC "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/music")
 set(ASSETS_BACKGROUNDS "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/backgrounds")
+if(TRANSLATION_SUPPORT)
+    set(ASSETS_LANGUAGES "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/languages")
+endif()
 
 if(PSP)
     set(ASSETS_BACKGROUNDS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/platform/psp/assets/backgrounds")
@@ -99,6 +116,11 @@ if(NOT VITA)
     add_custom_command(TARGET ${PROJECT_NAME} POST_BUILD
         COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy_directory
         ${ASSETS_SOUNDS} ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/assets/sounds)
+    if(TRANSLATION_SUPPORT)
+        add_custom_command(TARGET ${PROJECT_NAME} POST_BUILD
+            COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy_directory
+            ${ASSETS_LANGUAGES} ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/assets/languages)
+    endif()
 endif()
 
 # Platform specific install
diff --git a/assets/languages/nl.po b/assets/languages/nl.po
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e138e4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/languages/nl.po
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+# SOME DESCRIPTIVE TITLE.
+# Copyright (C) YEAR THE PACKAGE'S COPYRIGHT HOLDER
+# This file is distributed under the same license as the PACKAGE package.
+# FIRST AUTHOR <EMAIL@ADDRESS>, YEAR.
+#
+msgid ""
+msgstr ""
+"Project-Id-Version: \n"
+"Report-Msgid-Bugs-To: \n"
+"POT-Creation-Date: 2024-07-18 15:25+0200\n"
+"PO-Revision-Date: 2024-07-18 11:07+0200\n"
+"Last-Translator: \n"
+"Language-Team: \n"
+"Language: nl\n"
+"MIME-Version: 1.0\n"
+"Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8\n"
+"Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit\n"
+"X-Generator: Poedit 3.4.4\n"
+
+#: ../src/BoardManager.cpp:610
+msgid " moves"
+msgstr " acties"
+
+#: ../src/states/WonState.cpp:7
+msgid "Game Mode Completed!"
+msgstr "Modus Afgerond!"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameOverState.cpp:7
+msgid "Game Over!"
+msgstr "Game Over!"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:12 ../src/states/GameState.cpp:15
+#: ../src/states/GameStateRelaxed.cpp:7
+msgid "Game Paused"
+msgstr "Spel gepauseerd"
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:12
+msgid "High Scores"
+msgstr "Resultaten"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:14 ../src/states/GameState.cpp:17
+msgid "Level Failed"
+msgstr "Level Mislukt"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:13 ../src/states/GameState.cpp:16
+msgid "Level Finished!"
+msgstr "Level Afgerond!"
+
+#: ../src/states/NotImplementedState.cpp:7
+msgid "Not Yet Implemented"
+msgstr "Nog Niet Geimplementeerd"
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:272
+msgid "Options"
+msgstr "opties"
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:23
+msgid "challenge mode"
+msgstr "uitdagingsmodus"
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:172
+msgid "change music upon level switch: "
+msgstr "wissel muziek bij level overgang: "
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:24
+msgid "ends only when lives run out"
+msgstr "eindigt alleen als je levens op zijn"
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:37
+msgid "exit"
+msgstr "stoppen"
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:176
+msgid "full screen: "
+msgstr "volledig scherm"
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:31
+msgid "high scores"
+msgstr "resultaten"
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:17
+msgid "highest level reached in challenge mode: "
+msgstr "hoogste level bereikt in uitdagingsmodus: "
+
+#: ../src/BoardManager.cpp:590
+msgid "level "
+msgstr "level "
+
+#: ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:112
+msgid "lives left"
+msgstr "levens "
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:28
+msgid "match without consequences"
+msgstr "match zonder consequenties"
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:18
+msgid "matches in relaxed mode: "
+msgstr "matches in relaxmodus: "
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:162
+msgid "music volume: "
+msgstr "muziekvolume: "
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:15 ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:172
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:176
+msgid "no"
+msgstr "nee"
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:34
+msgid "options"
+msgstr "opties"
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:20
+msgid "play pre-made levels"
+msgstr "speel voorgeprogrammeerde levels"
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:13
+msgid "press confirm to go back"
+msgstr "druk op bevestigen om terug te gaan"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:13 ../src/states/GameState.cpp:16
+#: ../src/states/NotImplementedState.cpp:7
+msgid "press the confirm button to continue"
+msgstr "druk op bevestigen om verder te gaan"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameOverState.cpp:7 ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:12
+#: ../src/states/GameState.cpp:15 ../src/states/GameStateRelaxed.cpp:7
+#: ../src/states/WonState.cpp:7
+msgid "press the confirm button to exit"
+msgstr "druk op bevestigen om te sluiten"
+
+#: ../src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp:14 ../src/states/GameState.cpp:17
+msgid "press the confirm button to restart"
+msgstr "druk op bevestigen om het opnieuw te proberen"
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:27
+msgid "relaxed mode"
+msgstr "relaxmodus"
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:180
+msgid "resolution: "
+msgstr "resolutie: "
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:295
+msgid "return to menu"
+msgstr "terug naar menu"
+
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:152
+msgid "sound volume: "
+msgstr "volume geluiden: "
+
+#: ../src/states/MenuState.cpp:19
+msgid "standard mode"
+msgstr "standardmodus"
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:16
+msgid "standard mode completed: "
+msgstr "standardmodus afgesloten: "
+
+#: ../src/states/HighscoreState.cpp:15 ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:172
+#: ../src/states/OptionsState.cpp:176
+msgid "yes"
+msgstr "ja"
diff --git a/platform/add-translation.sh b/platform/add-translation.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..c12860a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/platform/add-translation.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+cd "$(dirname "$0")"
+
+if [ -z "${1}" ]; then
+	echo "Please select a language like: ${0} en_US"
+fi
+
+POTFILE="oceanpop.pot"
+
+xgettext --from-code=UTF-8 --keyword=_ --sort-output --language=C++ ../src/*.cpp ../src/*.hpp ../src/states/*.cpp ../src/states/*.hpp -o ${POTFILE}
+
+msginit --locale="${1}" --input=${POTFILE} -o "../assets/languages/${1}.po"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/platform/update-translation-files.sh b/platform/update-translation-files.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ea63f7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/platform/update-translation-files.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+cd "$(dirname "$0")"
+
+POTFILE="oceanpop.pot"
+
+xgettext --from-code=UTF-8 --keyword=_ --sort-output --language=C++ ../src/*.cpp ../src/*.hpp ../src/states/*.cpp ../src/states/*.hpp -o ${POTFILE}
+
+# Update each po file
+for langfile in ../assets/languages/*.po; do
+	msgmerge -U "${langfile}" "${POTFILE}"
+done
diff --git a/src/BoardManager.cpp b/src/BoardManager.cpp
index ef2080f..b1ebeca 100644
--- a/src/BoardManager.cpp
+++ b/src/BoardManager.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include "Sound.hpp"
 #include "colors.hpp"
 #include "FontType.hpp"
+#include "utils.hpp"
 
 BoardManager::BoardManager(SDL_Renderer *renderer, FontManager *fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options, int x, int y, int width, int height, int moves, int required_matches, int level, int seed) : fonts(fonts), sounds(sounds), options(options),
     textures(renderer, options) {
@@ -586,7 +587,7 @@ void BoardManager::drawInfo(SDL_Renderer * renderer) {
     // Generate texture with text
     if (this->level_updated) {
         std::string str_level = std::to_string(level);
-        str_level = "level " + str_level;
+        str_level = _("level ") + str_level;
         if (text_level != NULL) {
             SDL_DestroyTexture(text_level);
         }
@@ -606,7 +607,7 @@ void BoardManager::drawInfo(SDL_Renderer * renderer) {
     }
     if (this->moves_updated) {
         std::string str_moves = std::to_string(this->moves);
-        str_moves += " moves";
+        str_moves += _(" moves");
         if (text_moves != NULL) {
             SDL_DestroyTexture(text_moves);
         }
diff --git a/src/TranslationManager.cpp b/src/TranslationManager.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..673f244
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TranslationManager.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+#ifdef TRANSLATION_SUPPORT
+
+#include "TranslationManager.hpp"
+
+#include <iostream>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <iostream>
+
+#include <tinygettext/po_parser.hpp>
+#include <tinygettext/tinygettext.hpp>
+#include <tinygettext/unix_file_system.hpp>
+
+#include "utils.hpp"
+
+TranslationManager::TranslationManager() : dictionary_manager(std::unique_ptr<tinygettext::FileSystem>(new tinygettext::UnixFileSystem)) {
+    loadTranslations();
+}
+
+TranslationManager::~TranslationManager() {
+    
+}
+
+void TranslationManager::loadTranslations() {
+    std::string language_dir = getResourcePath("assets/languages/");
+    dictionary_manager.add_directory(language_dir);
+
+    
+    for(std::string system_language : getSystemLanguageList()) {
+        tinygettext::Language language = tinygettext::Language::from_name(system_language);
+        if (language) {
+            for (tinygettext::Language l: dictionary_manager.get_languages()) {
+                if (l == language) {
+                    dictionary_manager.set_language(language);
+                    SDL_Log("Using language %s", language.get_language().c_str());
+                    language_set = true;
+                    return;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    SDL_Log("Using default language English");;
+}
+
+std::vector<std::string> TranslationManager::getSystemLanguageList() {
+    std::vector<std::string> locales;
+
+    #include <locale.h>
+    char * locale_c_str = setlocale(LC_ALL, "");
+    if (locale_c_str != NULL){
+        std::string locale(locale_c_str);
+        if (strlen(locale_c_str) > 1) {
+            free(locale_c_str);
+        }
+
+        locales.push_back(locale);
+        if (locale.find(".") != std::string::npos) {
+            locales.push_back(locale.substr(0, locale.find(".")));
+        }
+        if (locale.find("_") != std::string::npos) {
+            locales.push_back(locale.substr(0, locale.find("_")));
+        }
+    }
+
+    return locales;
+}
+
+std::string TranslationManager::translate(std::string input) {
+    if (language_set) {
+        return dictionary_manager.get_dictionary().translate(input);
+    } else {
+        return input;
+    }
+}
+
+#endif // TRANSLATION_SUPPORT
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/TranslationManager.hpp b/src/TranslationManager.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6228d2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/TranslationManager.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#ifndef TRANSLATIONMANAGER_H
+#define TRANSLATIONMANAGER_H
+
+#ifdef TRANSLATION_SUPPORT
+#include <vector>
+
+#include <tinygettext/tinygettext.hpp>
+
+class TranslationManager {
+private:
+    tinygettext::DictionaryManager dictionary_manager;
+    bool language_set = false;
+
+    std::vector<std::string> getSystemLanguageList();
+    void loadTranslations();
+
+public:
+    TranslationManager();
+    ~TranslationManager();
+
+    std::string translate(std::string input); 
+};
+#endif
+
+#endif // TRANSLATIONMANAGER_H
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 5a26dae..3c7557a 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -11,10 +11,16 @@
 #include "StateManager.hpp"
 #include "EventManager.hpp"
 #include "OptionManager.hpp"
+#include "TranslationManager.hpp"
 #include "utils.hpp"
 #include "constants.hpp"
 #include "states/MenuState.hpp"
 
+#ifdef TRANSLATION_SUPPORT
+    // Create global TranslationManager object set in utils.h
+    TranslationManager translation_manager;
+#endif
+
 void run() {
     OptionManager option_manager;
     Window window("OceanPop", &option_manager);
diff --git a/src/states/GameOverState.cpp b/src/states/GameOverState.cpp
index 8ca8a05..6cb1eb4 100644
--- a/src/states/GameOverState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/GameOverState.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 #include "GameOverState.hpp"
 
+#include "../utils.hpp"
+
 GameOverState::GameOverState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) :
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::MENU),
-    screen_text(renderer, fonts, options, "Game Over!", "press the confirm button to exit")
+    screen_text(renderer, fonts, options, _("Game Over!"), _("press the confirm button to exit"))
 {
     this->renderer = renderer;
     this->fonts = fonts;
diff --git a/src/states/GameState.cpp b/src/states/GameState.cpp
index d4cf8fa..b4231dc 100644
--- a/src/states/GameState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/GameState.cpp
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@
 
 GameState::GameState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) :
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::NONE),
-    pause_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Game Paused", "press the confirm button to exit"),
-    win_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Level Finished!", "press the confirm button to continue"),
-    lose_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Level Failed", "press the confirm button to restart")
+    pause_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Game Paused"), _("press the confirm button to exit")),
+    win_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Level Finished!"), _("press the confirm button to continue")),
+    lose_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Level Failed"), _("press the confirm button to restart"))
 {
     this->renderer = renderer;
     this->fonts = fonts;
diff --git a/src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp b/src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp
index 7afb659..4fd722c 100644
--- a/src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp
+++ b/src/states/GameStateChallenge.cpp
@@ -5,12 +5,13 @@
 #include <string>
 #include "../colors.hpp"
 #include "../FontType.hpp"
+#include "../utils.hpp"
 
 GameStateChallenge::GameStateChallenge(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) :
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::NONE),
-    pause_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Game Paused", "press the confirm button to exit"),
-    win_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Level Finished!", "press the confirm button to continue"),
-    lose_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Level Failed", "press the confirm button to restart")
+    pause_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Game Paused"), _("press the confirm button to exit")),
+    win_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Level Finished!"), _("press the confirm button to continue")),
+    lose_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Level Failed"), _("press the confirm button to restart"))
 {
     this->renderer = renderer;
     this->fonts = fonts;
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ void GameStateChallenge::draw(SDL_Renderer *renderer) {
 
 void GameStateChallenge::drawAttempts(SDL_Renderer * renderer) {
     if(text_attempts == NULL) {
-        text_attempts = fonts->getTexture(renderer, "lives left", FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255});
+        text_attempts = fonts->getTexture(renderer, _("lives left"), FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255});
     }
     if (this->attempts_changed) {
         if (text_attempts_number != NULL) {
diff --git a/src/states/GameStateRelaxed.cpp b/src/states/GameStateRelaxed.cpp
index 33d7fb0..be76519 100644
--- a/src/states/GameStateRelaxed.cpp
+++ b/src/states/GameStateRelaxed.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 #include "GameStateRelaxed.hpp"
 
+#include "../utils.hpp"
+
 GameStateRelaxed::GameStateRelaxed(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) :
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::NONE),
-    pause_screen(renderer, fonts, options, "Game Paused", "press the confirm button to exit")
+    pause_screen(renderer, fonts, options, _("Game Paused"), _("press the confirm button to exit"))
 {
     this->renderer = renderer;
     this->fonts = fonts;
diff --git a/src/states/HighscoreState.cpp b/src/states/HighscoreState.cpp
index 7fa81ae..c454eca 100644
--- a/src/states/HighscoreState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/HighscoreState.cpp
@@ -3,18 +3,19 @@
 #include "../constants.hpp"
 #include "../colors.hpp"
 #include "../FontType.hpp"
+#include "../utils.hpp"
 #include "GameState.hpp"
 
 HighscoreState::HighscoreState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) : renderer(renderer), fonts(fonts), sounds(sounds), options(options),
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::MENU)
 {
-    this->text_title = fonts->getTexture(renderer, "High Scores", FontType::TITLE, {COLOR_MENU_TITLE.r, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.g, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.b, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.a});
-    this->text_bottom = fonts->getTexture(renderer, "press confirm to go back", FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255});
+    this->text_title = fonts->getTexture(renderer, _("High Scores"), FontType::TITLE, {COLOR_MENU_TITLE.r, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.g, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.b, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.a});
+    this->text_bottom = fonts->getTexture(renderer, _("press confirm to go back"), FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255});
 
-    std::string standard_mode_completed = options->getStandardModeCompleted() ? "yes" : "no";
-    texts.push_back(fonts->getTexture(renderer, "standard mode completed: " + standard_mode_completed, FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255}));
-    texts.push_back(fonts->getTexture(renderer, "highest level reached in challenge mode: " + std::to_string(options->getChallengeModeHighscore()), FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255}));
-    texts.push_back(fonts->getTexture(renderer, "matches in relaxed mode: " + std::to_string(options->getRelaxedModeScore()), FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255}));
+    std::string standard_mode_completed = options->getStandardModeCompleted() ? _("yes") : _("no");
+    texts.push_back(fonts->getTexture(renderer, _("standard mode completed: ") + standard_mode_completed, FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255}));
+    texts.push_back(fonts->getTexture(renderer, _("highest level reached in challenge mode: ") + std::to_string(options->getChallengeModeHighscore()), FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255}));
+    texts.push_back(fonts->getTexture(renderer, _("matches in relaxed mode: ") + std::to_string(options->getRelaxedModeScore()), FontType::NORMAL, {255, 255, 255, 255}));
 
     this->text_start_y = getTextY(0);
 }
diff --git a/src/states/MenuState.cpp b/src/states/MenuState.cpp
index 2d4a1f6..668c3e1 100644
--- a/src/states/MenuState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/MenuState.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "../constants.hpp"
 #include "../colors.hpp"
 #include "../FontType.hpp"
+#include "../utils.hpp"
 #include "GameState.hpp"
 
 MenuState::MenuState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) : renderer(renderer), fonts(fonts), sounds(sounds), options(options),
@@ -15,25 +16,25 @@ MenuState::MenuState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager
         std::string option_sub_text;
         switch ((State) i) {
             case State::STANDARD:
-                option_text = "standard mode";
-                option_sub_text = "play pre-made levels";
+                option_text = _("standard mode");
+                option_sub_text = _("play pre-made levels");
                 break;
             case State::CHALLENGE:
-                option_text = "challenge mode";
-                option_sub_text = "ends only when lives run out";
+                option_text = _("challenge mode");
+                option_sub_text = _("ends only when lives run out");
                 break;
             case State::RELAXED:
-                option_text = "relaxed mode";
-                option_sub_text = "match without consequences";
+                option_text = _("relaxed mode");
+                option_sub_text = _("match without consequences");
                 break;
             case State::HIGHSCORES:
-                option_text = "high scores";
+                option_text = _("high scores");
                 break;
             case State::OPTIONS:
-                option_text = "options";
+                option_text = _("options");
                 break;
             case State::EXIT:
-                option_text = "exit";
+                option_text = _("exit");
                 break;
             default:
                 option_text = "?????????";
diff --git a/src/states/NotImplementedState.cpp b/src/states/NotImplementedState.cpp
index 1ef35d1..0796f3b 100644
--- a/src/states/NotImplementedState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/NotImplementedState.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 #include "NotImplementedState.hpp"
 
+#include "../utils.hpp"
+
 NotImplementedState::NotImplementedState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) :
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::MENU),
-    screen_text(renderer, fonts, options, "Not Yet Implemented", "press the confirm button to continue")
+    screen_text(renderer, fonts, options, _("Not Yet Implemented"), _("press the confirm button to continue"))
 {
     this->renderer = renderer;
     this->fonts = fonts;
diff --git a/src/states/OptionsState.cpp b/src/states/OptionsState.cpp
index 7ece9bf..553efcd 100644
--- a/src/states/OptionsState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/OptionsState.cpp
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ void OptionsState::draw(SDL_Renderer * renderer) {
 }
 
 std::string OptionsState::getSoundVolumeString() {
-    std::string result = "sound volume: ";
+    std::string result = _("sound volume: ");
     for (int i = 0; i < this->options->getSoundVolume(); i++)
     {
         result += "|";
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ std::string OptionsState::getSoundVolumeString() {
 }
 
 std::string OptionsState::getMusicVolumeString() {
-        std::string result = "music volume: ";
+        std::string result = _("music volume: ");
     for (int i = 0; i < this->options->getMusicVolume(); i++)
     {
         result += "|";
@@ -169,15 +169,15 @@ std::string OptionsState::getMusicVolumeString() {
 }
 
 std::string OptionsState::getChangeMusicString() {
-    return "change music upon level switch: " + std::string(this->options->getChangeMusicOnSwitch() ? "yes" : "no");
+    return _("change music upon level switch: ") + std::string(this->options->getChangeMusicOnSwitch() ? _("yes") : _("no"));
 }
 
 std::string OptionsState::getFullscreenString() {
-    return "full screen: " + std::string(this->options->getFullscreen() ? "yes" : "no");
+    return _("full screen: ") + std::string(this->options->getFullscreen() ? _("yes") : _("no"));
 }
 
 std::string OptionsState::getResolutionString() {
-    std::string result = "resolution: " + std::to_string(this->options->getScreenWidth()) + "x" + std::to_string(this->options->getScreenHeight());
+    std::string result = _("resolution: ") + std::to_string(this->options->getScreenWidth()) + "x" + std::to_string(this->options->getScreenHeight());
     if (this->options->getScreenRefreshRate() > 0) {
          result += " (" + std::to_string(this->options->getScreenRefreshRate()) + " hz)";
     }
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ void OptionsState::changeResolution(int amount) {
 }
 
 void OptionsState::loadTexts() {
-    this->text_title = fonts->getTexture(this->renderer, "Options", FontType::TITLE, {COLOR_MENU_TITLE.r, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.g, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.b, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.a});
+    this->text_title = fonts->getTexture(this->renderer, _("Options"), FontType::TITLE, {COLOR_MENU_TITLE.r, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.g, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.b, COLOR_MENU_TITLE.a});
 
     for (int i = 0; i < (((int) Option::GO_BACK) + 1); i++) {
         std::string current_text;
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ void OptionsState::loadTexts() {
                 break;
 #endif
             case Option::GO_BACK:
-                current_text = "return to menu";
+                current_text = _("return to menu");
                 break;
             default:
                 current_text = "?????????";
diff --git a/src/states/WonState.cpp b/src/states/WonState.cpp
index 22ed5d7..7425ae1 100644
--- a/src/states/WonState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/WonState.cpp
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 #include "WonState.hpp"
 
+#include "../utils.hpp"
+
 WonState::WonState(SDL_Renderer * renderer, FontManager * fonts, SoundManager * sounds, OptionManager * options) :
     theme(renderer, options, Theme::MENU),
-    screen_text(renderer, fonts, options, "Game Mode Completed!", "press the confirm button to exit")
+    screen_text(renderer, fonts, options, _("Game Mode Completed!"), _("press the confirm button to exit"))
 {
     this->renderer = renderer;
     this->fonts = fonts;
diff --git a/src/utils.hpp b/src/utils.hpp
index 62b198c..49d365c 100644
--- a/src/utils.hpp
+++ b/src/utils.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
 
+#include "TranslationManager.hpp"
+
 struct DisplayMode
 {
     int width;
@@ -24,4 +26,11 @@ std::string getResourcePath(std::string file);
 SDL_DisplayMode getStandardDisplayMode();
 std::vector<SDL_DisplayMode> getDisplayModes();
 
+#ifdef TRANSLATION_SUPPORT
+    extern TranslationManager translation_manager;
+    #define _(x) translation_manager.translate(x)
+#else
+    #define _(x) x
+#endif
+
 #endif // UTILS_HPP