diff --git a/xblock/core.py b/xblock/core.py
index e23b02ebd..c16b04680 100644
--- a/xblock/core.py
+++ b/xblock/core.py
@@ -174,6 +174,15 @@ def validate(self):
         """
         return Validation(self.scope_ids.usage_id)
 
+    def ugettext(self, text):
+        """
+        Translates message/text and returns it in a unicode string.
+        Using runtime to get i18n service.
+        """
+        runtime_service = self.runtime.service(self, "i18n")
+        runtime_ugettext = runtime_service.ugettext
+        return runtime_ugettext(text)
+
 
 class XBlockAside(XmlSerializationMixin, ScopedStorageMixin, RuntimeServicesMixin, HandlersMixin, SharedBlockBase):
     """
diff --git a/xblock/test/test_runtime.py b/xblock/test/test_runtime.py
index 6994d9b9e..fa5bf7d92 100644
--- a/xblock/test/test_runtime.py
+++ b/xblock/test/test_runtime.py
@@ -581,6 +581,24 @@ def test_service():
     runtime.render(tester, 'student_view')
 
 
+def test_ugettext_calls():
+    """
+    Test ugettext calls in xblock.
+    """
+    runtime = TestRuntime()
+    block = XBlockWithServices(runtime, scope_ids=Mock(spec=[]))
+    assert_equals(block.ugettext('test'), u'test')
+    assert_true(isinstance(block.ugettext('test'), unicode))
+
+    # NoSuchServiceError exception should raise if i18n is none/empty.
+    runtime = TestRuntime(services={
+        'i18n': None
+    })
+    block = XBlockWithServices(runtime, scope_ids=Mock(spec=[]))
+    with assert_raises(NoSuchServiceError):
+        block.ugettext('test')
+
+
 @XBlock.needs("no_such_service_sub")
 @XBlock.wants("another_not_service_sub")
 class SubXBlockWithServices(XBlockWithServices):