diff --git a/gramps/gen/datehandler/_datedisplay.py b/gramps/gen/datehandler/_datedisplay.py
index 3b3b81bdd..9a8f1052a 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/datehandler/_datedisplay.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/datehandler/_datedisplay.py
@@ -44,10 +44,6 @@ from . import _grampslocale
 from ..utils.grampslocale import GrampsLocale
 from ._datestrings import DateStrings
 
-# _T_ is a gramps-defined keyword -- see po/update_po.py and po/genpot.sh
-def _T_(value): # enable deferred translations (see Python docs 22.1.3.4)
-    return value
-
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 # DateDisplay
@@ -57,31 +53,33 @@ class DateDisplay:
     """
     Base date display class.
     """
+    _locale = GrampsLocale(lang='en_US', languages='en')
 
     _tformat = _grampslocale.tformat
 
+    _ = _grampslocale.glocale.translation.sgettext
     formats = (
         # format 0 - must always be ISO
-        _T_("YYYY-MM-DD (ISO)"),
+        _("YYYY-MM-DD (ISO)"),
 
         # format # 1 - must always be locale-preferred numerical format
         # such as YY.MM.DD, MM-DD-YY, or whatever your locale prefers.
         # This should be the format that is used under the locale by
         # strftime() for '%x'.
         # You may translate this as "Numerical", "System preferred", or similar.
-        _T_("date format|Numerical"),
+        _("date format|Numerical"),
 
         # Full month name, day, year
-        _T_("Month Day, Year"),
+        _("Month Day, Year"),
 
         # Abbreviated month name, day, year
-        _T_("MON DAY, YEAR"),
+        _("MON DAY, YEAR"),
 
         # Day, full month name, year
-        _T_("Day Month Year"),
+        _("Day Month Year"),
 
         # Day, abbreviated month name, year
-        _T_("DAY MON YEAR")
+        _("DAY MON YEAR")
         )
     """
     .. note:: Will be overridden if a locale-specific date displayer exists.
@@ -92,6 +90,7 @@ class DateDisplay:
     This ``formats`` must agree with
     :meth:`~_display_calendar`/:meth:`~_display_gregorian`.
     """
+    del _
 
     newyear = ("", "Mar1", "Mar25", "Sep1")
 
@@ -729,4 +728,4 @@ class DateDisplayEn(DateDisplay):
 
     display = DateDisplay.display_formatted
 
-    _locale = GrampsLocale(languages='en') # no register_datehandler here
+    _locale = DateDisplay._locale # normally set in register_datehandler
diff --git a/gramps/gen/datehandler/_dateutils.py b/gramps/gen/datehandler/_dateutils.py
index bfbd92562..3208bf164 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/datehandler/_dateutils.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/datehandler/_dateutils.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ import time
 # Gramps modules
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-from ..const import GRAMPS_LOCALE as glocale
 from ..lib.date import Date
 from . import LANG_TO_DISPLAY, LANG, parser, displayer
 
@@ -43,22 +42,14 @@ from . import LANG_TO_DISPLAY, LANG, parser, displayer
 # Convenience functions
 #
 #--------------------------------------------------------------
-def get_date_formats(flocale=glocale):
+def get_date_formats():
     """
     Return the list of supported formats for date parsers and displayers.
-    The UI language formats will be used unless another locale is fed in.
-
-    :param flocale: allow deferred translation of date formats
-    :type flocale: a :class:`.GrampsLocale` instance
     """
-    # trans_text is a defined keyword (see po/update_po.py, po/genpot.sh)
-    trans_text = flocale.translation.sgettext
     try:
-        return tuple(trans_text(fmt)
-                     for fmt in LANG_TO_DISPLAY[flocale.lang].formats)
+        return LANG_TO_DISPLAY[LANG].formats
     except:
-        return tuple(trans_text(fmt)
-                     for fmt in LANG_TO_DISPLAY['C'].formats)
+        return LANG_TO_DISPLAY["C"].formats
 
 def set_format(value):
     try: