JAL-1485

diff --git a/src/jalview/util/MessageManager.java b/src/jalview/util/MessageManager.java
index 5f7f0e2..0ba7566 100644 (file)
--- a/src/jalview/util/MessageManager.java
+++ b/src/jalview/util/MessageManager.java
@@ -64,4 +64,25 @@ public class MessageManager {
        public static String formatMessage(String key, Object... params){
                return MessageFormat.format(rb.getString(key), (Object[]) params);
        }
+
+  /**
+   * lookup and return a key given a root and a human-readable(ish) name that when combined might resolve to an i18n string.
+   * If the key doesn't resolve, then name is returned.if the key doesn't exist.
+   * Use this for programatically constructed keys that have have a human readable alternative used in the program (e.g. BLOSUM62 and label.score_blosum62) 
+   * @param keyroot
+   * @param name
+   * @return
+   */
+  public static String getStringOrReturn(String keyroot, String name)
+  {
+    String smkey = keyroot
+            + name.toLowerCase().replaceAll(" ", "");
+    try {
+      name = rb.getString(smkey); 
+    }
+    catch (Exception x) {
+      log.finest("I18N missing key with root "+keyroot+": "+loc+"\t"+smkey);
+    }
+    return name;
+  }
 }