diff --git a/lang/add_message_file.sh b/lang/add_message_file.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..64e88099e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lang/add_message_file.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+#
+# Shell script that adds a message file to all message files 
+# adding "//to translate" on each line 
+#
+# Example:  add_message_file.sh  xxx
+#
+for file in *.inc.php3
+do
+        echo $file " "
+        grep -v '?>' ${file} > ${file}.new
+	sed 's/;/;\/\/to translate/' <$1 >> ${file}.new
+        echo "?>" >> ${file}.new
+        rm $file
+        mv ${file}.new $file
+done
+echo " "
+echo "This script also added the new messages to english.inc.php3"