diff --git a/mercurial/i18n.py b/mercurial/i18n.py
--- a/mercurial/i18n.py
+++ b/mercurial/i18n.py
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ This software may be used and distribute
 of the GNU General Public License, incorporated herein by reference.
 """
 
-import gettext
-t = gettext.translation('hg', '/usr/share/locale', fallback=1)
-gettext = t.gettext
+# the import from gettext is _really_ slow
+# for now we use a dummy function
+gettext = lambda x: x
+#import gettext
+#t = gettext.translation('hg', '/usr/share/locale', fallback=1)
+#gettext = t.gettext