diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/alpha-api-report.md b/packages/core-app-api/alpha-api-report.md
deleted file mode 100644
index f35adfdbaa..0000000000
--- a/packages/core-app-api/alpha-api-report.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,85 +0,0 @@
-## API Report File for "@backstage/core-app-api"
-
-> Do not edit this file. It is a report generated by [API Extractor](https://api-extractor.com/).
-
-```ts
-import { AppTranslationApi } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
-import { i18n } from 'i18next';
-import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
-
-// @alpha (undocumented)
-export class AppTranslationApiImpl implements AppTranslationApi {
-  // (undocumented)
-  addLazyResources<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-    initResources?: Record<
-      string,
-      () => Promise<{
-        messages: TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>;
-      }>
-    >,
-  ): void;
-  // (undocumented)
-  addResources<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-    initResources?: Record<
-      string,
-      TranslationMessages<TranslationRef<Messages>>
-    >,
-  ): void;
-  // (undocumented)
-  addResourcesByRef<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-  ): void;
-  // (undocumented)
-  static create(options?: ExperimentalI18n): AppTranslationApiImpl;
-  // (undocumented)
-  getI18n(): i18n;
-  // (undocumented)
-  initMessages(options?: ExperimentalI18n): void;
-}
-
-// @alpha (undocumented)
-export function createTranslationResource<T extends TranslationRef>(options: {
-  ref: T;
-  messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<T>>;
-  lazyMessages: Record<
-    string,
-    () => Promise<{
-      messages: TranslationMessages<T>;
-    }>
-  >;
-}): {
-  ref: T;
-  messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<T>> | undefined;
-  lazyMessages: Record<
-    string,
-    () => Promise<{
-      messages: TranslationMessages<T>;
-    }>
-  >;
-};
-
-// @alpha (undocumented)
-export type ExperimentalI18n = {
-  supportedLanguages: string[];
-  fallbackLanguage?: string | string[];
-  messages?: Array<{
-    ref: TranslationRef;
-    messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>>;
-    lazyMessages: Record<
-      string,
-      () => Promise<{
-        messages: TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>;
-      }>
-    >;
-  }>;
-};
-
-// @alpha (undocumented)
-export type TranslationMessages<T> = T extends TranslationRef<infer R>
-  ? Partial<R>
-  : never;
-
-// (No @packageDocumentation comment for this package)
-```
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/api-report.md b/packages/core-app-api/api-report.md
index e53d2eed83..1b5a5b4798 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/api-report.md
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/api-report.md
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ import { SessionState } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { StorageApi } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { StorageValueSnapshot } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { SubRouteRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
-import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+import { TranslationMessages } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+import { TranslationResource } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 
 // @public
 export class AlertApiForwarder implements AlertApi {
@@ -221,19 +222,10 @@ export type AppOptions = {
   themes: (Partial<AppTheme> & Omit<AppTheme, 'theme'>)[];
   configLoader?: AppConfigLoader;
   bindRoutes?(context: { bind: AppRouteBinder }): void;
-  __experimentalI18n?: {
-    supportedLanguages: string[];
+  __experimentalTranslations?: {
     fallbackLanguage?: string | string[];
-    messages?: Array<{
-      ref: TranslationRef;
-      messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>>;
-      lazyMessages: Record<
-        string,
-        () => Promise<{
-          messages: TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>;
-        }>
-      >;
-    }>;
+    supportedLanguages?: string[];
+    resources?: Array<TranslationMessages | TranslationResource>;
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/package.json b/packages/core-app-api/package.json
index 0509af9bd4..c63f64c1ce 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/package.json
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/package.json
@@ -7,14 +7,10 @@
   },
   "exports": {
     ".": "./src/index.ts",
-    "./alpha": "./src/alpha.ts",
     "./package.json": "./package.json"
   },
   "typesVersions": {
     "*": {
-      "alpha": [
-        "src/alpha.ts"
-      ],
       "package.json": [
         "package.json"
       ]
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslation.test.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.test.ts
similarity index 55%
rename from packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslation.test.ts
rename to packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.test.ts
index b6eba8a1c7..5b7304d36b 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslation.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.test.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,11 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { createTranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+import {
+  createTranslationMessages,
+  createTranslationRef,
+  createTranslationResource,
+} from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 import { AppTranslationApiImpl } from './AppTranslationImpl';
 import i18next from 'i18next';
 
@@ -70,112 +74,68 @@ describe('AppTranslationApiImpl', () => {
   });
 
   it('should init messages correctly', () => {
-    const useResourcesMock = jest.spyOn(
+    const addMessagesMock = jest.spyOn(
       AppTranslationApiImpl.prototype,
-      'addResources',
+      'addMessages',
     );
-    const useLazyResourcesMock = jest.spyOn(
+    const addLazyResourcesMock = jest.spyOn(
       AppTranslationApiImpl.prototype,
       'addLazyResources',
     );
     const ref = createTranslationRef({
       id: 'ref-id',
       messages: {
-        key1: '',
+        key: '',
       },
     });
 
-    const options = {
-      supportedLanguages: ['en'],
-      messages: [
-        {
-          ref,
-          messages: {
-            en: { key1: 'value1' },
-          },
-          lazyMessages: {
-            en: () => Promise.resolve({ key2: 'value2' }),
-          } as any,
-        },
-      ],
-    };
-
-    const instance = AppTranslationApiImpl.create({
-      supportedLanguages: ['en'],
+    const overrides = createTranslationMessages({
+      ref,
+      messages: { key: 'value1' },
+    });
+    const resource = createTranslationResource({
+      ref,
+      translations: {
+        en: () =>
+          Promise.resolve({
+            default: {
+              key: 'value2',
+            },
+          }),
+      },
     });
-    instance.initMessages(options);
 
-    expect(useResourcesMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      options.messages[0].ref,
-      options.messages[0].messages,
-    );
-    expect(useLazyResourcesMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      options.messages[0].ref,
-      options.messages[0].lazyMessages,
-    );
+    AppTranslationApiImpl.create({
+      supportedLanguages: ['en'],
+      resources: [overrides, resource],
+    });
+
+    expect(addMessagesMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(overrides);
+    expect(addLazyResourcesMock).toHaveBeenCalledWith(resource);
   });
 
   it('should useResources correctly', () => {
-    const i18nMock = i18next.createInstance() as any;
-    const useReturnMock = i18nMock.use();
-    jest.spyOn(i18nMock, 'use').mockReturnValue(useReturnMock);
-    jest.spyOn(i18next, 'createInstance').mockReturnValue(i18nMock);
-
-    const ref = createTranslationRef({
-      id: 'ref-id',
-      messages: {
-        key1: 'value1',
-      },
-      resources: {
-        en: {
-          key1: 'value2',
-        },
-      },
-    });
-
-    const instance = AppTranslationApiImpl.create({
-      supportedLanguages: ['en'],
-    });
-    instance.addResources(ref);
-
-    expect(useReturnMock.addResourceBundle).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-      'en',
-      'ref-id',
-      { key1: 'value2' },
-      true,
-      false,
+    const addLazyResourcesMock = jest.spyOn(
+      AppTranslationApiImpl.prototype,
+      'addLazyResources',
     );
-  });
-
-  it('should useLazyResources correctly', () => {
-    const i18nMock = i18next.createInstance() as any;
-    const useReturnMock = i18nMock.use();
-
-    jest.spyOn(i18nMock, 'use').mockReturnValue(useReturnMock);
-    jest.spyOn(i18next, 'createInstance').mockReturnValue(i18nMock);
 
     const ref = createTranslationRef({
       id: 'ref-id',
       messages: {
         key1: 'value1',
       },
-      lazyResources: {
-        en: () => Promise.resolve({ messages: { key1: 'value2' } }),
+      translations: {
+        en: () => Promise.resolve({ default: { key1: 'value2' } }),
       },
     });
 
     const instance = AppTranslationApiImpl.create({
       supportedLanguages: ['en'],
     });
-    instance.addLazyResources(ref);
-    setTimeout(() => {
-      expect(useReturnMock.addResourceBundle).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        'en',
-        'ref-id',
-        { key1: 'value2' },
-        true,
-        false,
-      );
-    });
+    instance.addResource(ref);
+
+    expect(addLazyResourcesMock).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+    expect(addLazyResourcesMock.mock.calls[0][0].id).toBe('ref-id');
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.ts
index 69820e7b67..c55c8bd7e8 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.ts
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.ts
@@ -16,28 +16,39 @@
 
 import {
   AppTranslationApi,
+  TranslationMessages,
   TranslationRef,
+  TranslationResource,
 } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 import i18next, { type i18n } from 'i18next';
 import { initReactI18next } from 'react-i18next';
 import LanguageDetector from 'i18next-browser-languagedetector';
 
-import { TranslationMessages } from '../../../alpha';
+// Internal import to avoid code duplication, this will lead to duplication in build output
+// eslint-disable-next-line @backstage/no-relative-monorepo-imports
+import { toInternalTranslationResource } from '../../../../../core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource';
+// eslint-disable-next-line @backstage/no-relative-monorepo-imports
+import { toInternalTranslationRef } from '../../../../../core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef';
+
+const DEFAULT_LANGUAGE = 'en';
 
 /** @alpha */
 export type ExperimentalI18n = {
-  supportedLanguages: string[];
   fallbackLanguage?: string | string[];
-  messages?: Array<{
-    ref: TranslationRef;
-    messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>>;
-    lazyMessages: Record<
-      string,
-      () => Promise<{ messages: TranslationMessages<TranslationRef> }>
-    >;
-  }>;
+  supportedLanguages?: string[];
+  resources?: Array<TranslationMessages | TranslationResource>;
 };
 
+function removeNulls(
+  messages: Record<string, string | null>,
+): Record<string, string> {
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    Object.entries(messages).filter(
+      (e): e is [string, string] => e[1] !== null,
+    ),
+  );
+}
+
 /** @alpha */
 export class AppTranslationApiImpl implements AppTranslationApi {
   static create(options?: ExperimentalI18n) {
@@ -46,8 +57,8 @@ export class AppTranslationApiImpl implements AppTranslationApi {
     i18n.use(LanguageDetector);
 
     i18n.init({
-      fallbackLng: options?.fallbackLanguage || 'en',
-      supportedLngs: options?.supportedLanguages || ['en'],
+      fallbackLng: options?.fallbackLanguage || DEFAULT_LANGUAGE,
+      supportedLngs: options?.supportedLanguages || [DEFAULT_LANGUAGE],
       interpolation: {
         escapeValue: false,
       },
@@ -59,69 +70,52 @@ export class AppTranslationApiImpl implements AppTranslationApi {
     return new AppTranslationApiImpl(i18n, options);
   }
 
-  private readonly cache = new WeakSet<TranslationRef>();
-  private readonly lazyCache = new WeakMap<TranslationRef, Set<string>>();
+  private readonly cache = new Set<string>();
+  private readonly lazyCache = new Map<string, Set<string>>();
 
   getI18n() {
     return this.i18n;
   }
 
   initMessages(options?: ExperimentalI18n) {
-    if (options?.messages?.length) {
-      options.messages.forEach(appMessage => {
-        if (appMessage.messages) {
-          this.addResources(appMessage.ref, appMessage.messages);
-        }
-
-        if (appMessage.lazyMessages) {
-          this.addLazyResources(appMessage.ref, appMessage.lazyMessages);
-        }
-      });
+    for (const resource of options?.resources || []) {
+      if (resource.$$type === '@backstage/TranslationResource') {
+        this.addLazyResources(resource);
+      } else if (resource.$$type === '@backstage/TranslationMessages') {
+        // Overrides for default messages, created with createTranslationMessages and installed via app
+        this.addMessages(resource);
+      }
     }
   }
 
-  addResourcesByRef<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-  ): void {
-    this.addResources(translationRef);
-    this.addLazyResources(translationRef);
+  addResource(translationRef: TranslationRef): void {
+    const internalRef = toInternalTranslationRef(translationRef);
+    const defaultResource = internalRef.getDefaultResource();
+    if (defaultResource) {
+      this.addLazyResources(defaultResource);
+    }
   }
 
-  addResources<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-    initResources?: Record<
-      string,
-      TranslationMessages<TranslationRef<Messages>>
-    >,
-  ) {
-    const resources = initResources || translationRef.getResources();
-    if (!resources || this.cache.has(translationRef)) {
+  addMessages(messages: TranslationMessages) {
+    if (this.cache.has(messages.id)) {
       return;
     }
-    this.cache.add(translationRef);
-    Object.entries(resources).forEach(([language, messages]) => {
-      this.i18n.addResourceBundle(
-        language,
-        translationRef.getId(),
-        messages,
-        true,
-        false,
-      );
-    });
+    this.cache.add(messages.id);
+    this.i18n.addResourceBundle(
+      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE,
+      messages.id,
+      removeNulls(messages.messages),
+      true,
+      false,
+    );
   }
 
-  addLazyResources<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-    initResources?: Record<
-      string,
-      () => Promise<{ messages: TranslationMessages<TranslationRef> }>
-    >,
-  ) {
-    let cache = this.lazyCache.get(translationRef);
+  addLazyResources(resource: TranslationResource) {
+    let cache = this.lazyCache.get(resource.id);
 
     if (!cache) {
       cache = new Set();
-      this.lazyCache.set(translationRef, cache);
+      this.lazyCache.set(resource.id, cache);
     }
 
     const {
@@ -136,8 +130,8 @@ export class AppTranslationApiImpl implements AppTranslationApi {
       return;
     }
 
-    const namespace = translationRef.getId();
-    const lazyResources = initResources || translationRef.getLazyResources();
+    const internalResource = toInternalTranslationResource(resource);
+    const namespace = internalResource.id;
 
     Promise.allSettled((options.supportedLngs || []).map(addLanguage)).then(
       results => {
@@ -160,7 +154,9 @@ export class AppTranslationApiImpl implements AppTranslationApi {
         loadBackend = reloadResources([language], [namespace]);
       }
 
-      const loadLazyResources = lazyResources?.[language];
+      const loadLazyResources = internalResource.resources.find(
+        entry => entry.language === language,
+      )?.loader;
 
       if (!loadLazyResources) {
         await loadBackend;
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx
index 1b68cfd6ca..2eddcfc3ae 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ describe('Integration Test', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText('extLink4: <none>')).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it('runs success with __experimentalI18n', async () => {
+  it('runs success with __experimentalTranslations', async () => {
     const app = new AppManager({
       apis: [noOpAnalyticsApi],
       defaultApis: [],
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ describe('Integration Test', () => {
           extRouteRef2: plugin2RouteRef,
         });
       },
-      __experimentalI18n: {
+      __experimentalTranslations: {
         supportedLanguages: ['en'],
       },
     });
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx
index 0bd495c03b..bd6a1ba3d0 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ export class AppManager implements BackstageApp {
     this.bindRoutes = options.bindRoutes;
     this.apiFactoryRegistry = new ApiFactoryRegistry();
     this.appTranslationApi = AppTranslationApiImpl.create(
-      options.__experimentalI18n,
+      options.__experimentalTranslations,
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/types.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/types.ts
index 3d4b9cf8c5..0adb93cfd1 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/types.ts
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/types.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,10 @@ import {
   FeatureFlag,
 } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { AppConfig } from '@backstage/config';
-import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+import {
+  TranslationMessages,
+  TranslationResource,
+} from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 
 /**
  * Props for the `BootErrorPage` component of {@link AppComponents}.
@@ -178,16 +181,6 @@ export type AppRouteBinder = <
   >,
 ) => void;
 
-/**
- * TODO: To be remove when TranslationMessages in packages/core-app-api/src/app/TranslationResource.ts
- * come to be public
- *
- * @ignore
- * */
-type TranslationMessages<T> = T extends TranslationRef<infer R>
-  ? Partial<R>
-  : never;
-
 /**
  * The options accepted by {@link createSpecializedApp}.
  *
@@ -290,21 +283,11 @@ export type AppOptions = {
    */
   bindRoutes?(context: { bind: AppRouteBinder }): void;
 
-  /**
-   * TODO: Change to ExperimentalI18n type when packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.ts
-   * become to public
-   */
-  __experimentalI18n?: {
-    supportedLanguages: string[];
+  // TODO: Change to ExperimentalI18n type when packages/core-app-api/src/apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi/AppTranslationImpl.ts
+  __experimentalTranslations?: {
     fallbackLanguage?: string | string[];
-    messages?: Array<{
-      ref: TranslationRef;
-      messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<TranslationRef>>;
-      lazyMessages: Record<
-        string,
-        () => Promise<{ messages: TranslationMessages<TranslationRef> }>
-      >;
-    }>;
+    supportedLanguages?: string[];
+    resources?: Array<TranslationMessages | TranslationResource>;
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/alpha-api-report.md b/packages/core-plugin-api/alpha-api-report.md
index 57cf4a2cb4..f186c36b7f 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/alpha-api-report.md
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/alpha-api-report.md
@@ -7,24 +7,64 @@ import { ApiRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { BackstagePlugin } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { i18n } from 'i18next';
 import { ReactNode } from 'react';
+import { TranslationMessages as TranslationMessages_2 } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+import { TranslationRef as TranslationRef_2 } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
 export type AppTranslationApi = {
   getI18n(): i18n;
-  addResourcesByRef<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-  ): void;
+  addResource(resource: TranslationRef): void;
 };
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
 export const appTranslationApiRef: ApiRef<AppTranslationApi>;
 
-// @alpha (undocumented)
-export const createTranslationRef: <
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string> = {},
+// @alpha
+export function createTranslationMessages<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TFull extends boolean,
 >(
-  config: TranslationRefConfig<Messages>,
-) => TranslationRef<Messages>;
+  options: TranslationMessagesOptions<TId, TMessages, TFull>,
+): TranslationMessages<TId, TMessages, TFull>;
+
+// @alpha (undocumented)
+export function createTranslationRef<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default: {
+        [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null;
+      };
+    }>;
+  },
+>(
+  config: TranslationRefOptions<TId, TMessages, TTranslations>,
+): TranslationRef<TId, TMessages>;
+
+// @alpha (undocumented)
+export function createTranslationResource<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default:
+        | TranslationMessages_2<TId>
+        | {
+            [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null;
+          };
+    }>;
+  },
+>(
+  options: TranslationResourceOptions<TId, TMessages, TTranslations>,
+): TranslationResource<TId>;
 
 // @alpha
 export interface PluginOptionsProviderProps {
@@ -37,76 +77,115 @@ export interface PluginOptionsProviderProps {
 // @alpha
 export const PluginProvider: (props: PluginOptionsProviderProps) => JSX.Element;
 
+// @alpha
+export interface TranslationMessages<
+  TId extends string = string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  } = {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TFull extends boolean = boolean,
+> {
+  // (undocumented)
+  $$type: '@backstage/TranslationMessages';
+  full: TFull;
+  id: TId;
+  messages: TMessages;
+}
+
+// @alpha
+export interface TranslationMessagesOptions<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TFull extends boolean,
+> {
+  // (undocumented)
+  full?: TFull;
+  // (undocumented)
+  messages: false extends TFull
+    ? {
+        [key in keyof TMessages]?: string | null;
+      }
+    : {
+        [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null;
+      };
+  // (undocumented)
+  ref: TranslationRef_2<TId, TMessages>;
+}
+
 // @alpha (undocumented)
-export type TranslationOptions<
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string> = Record<string, string>,
-> = Messages;
+export interface TranslationOptions {}
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
 export interface TranslationRef<
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string> = Record<string, string>,
+  TId extends string = string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  } = {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
 > {
   // (undocumented)
-  getDefaultMessages(): Messages;
+  $$type: '@backstage/TranslationRef';
   // (undocumented)
-  getId(): string;
+  id: TId;
   // (undocumented)
-  getLazyResources():
-    | Record<
-        string,
-        () => Promise<{
-          messages: Messages;
-        }>
-      >
-    | undefined;
-  // (undocumented)
-  getResources(): Record<string, Messages> | undefined;
+  T: TMessages;
 }
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
-export interface TranslationRefConfig<
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>,
+export interface TranslationRefOptions<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default: {
+        [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null;
+      };
+    }>;
+  },
 > {
   // (undocumented)
-  id: string;
+  id: TId;
   // (undocumented)
-  lazyResources?: Record<
-    string,
-    () => Promise<{
-      messages: Messages;
-    }>
-  >;
+  messages: TMessages;
   // (undocumented)
-  messages: Messages;
-  // (undocumented)
-  resources?: Record<string, Messages>;
+  translations?: TTranslations;
 }
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
-export class TranslationRefImpl<Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>>
-  implements TranslationRef<Messages>
-{
+export interface TranslationResource<TId extends string = string> {
   // (undocumented)
-  static create<Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>>(
-    config: TranslationRefConfig<Messages>,
-  ): TranslationRefImpl<Messages>;
+  $$type: '@backstage/TranslationResource';
   // (undocumented)
-  getDefaultMessages(): Messages;
+  id: TId;
+}
+
+// @alpha (undocumented)
+export interface TranslationResourceOptions<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [key in string]: string;
+  },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default:
+        | TranslationMessages_2<TId>
+        | {
+            [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null;
+          };
+    }>;
+  },
+> {
   // (undocumented)
-  getId(): string;
+  ref: TranslationRef_2<TId, TMessages>;
   // (undocumented)
-  getLazyResources():
-    | Record<
-        string,
-        () => Promise<{
-          messages: Messages;
-        }>
-      >
-    | undefined;
-  // (undocumented)
-  getResources(): Record<string, Messages> | undefined;
-  // (undocumented)
-  toString(): string;
+  translations: TTranslations;
 }
 
 // @alpha
@@ -116,13 +195,15 @@ export function usePluginOptions<
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
 export const useTranslationRef: <
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>,
+  TMessages extends {
+    [x: string]: string;
+  },
 >(
-  translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-) => <Tkey extends keyof Messages>(
-  key: Tkey,
+  translationRef: TranslationRef<string, TMessages>,
+) => <TKey extends keyof TMessages & string>(
+  key: TKey,
   options?: TranslationOptions,
-) => Messages[Tkey];
+) => TMessages[TKey];
 
 // (No @packageDocumentation comment for this package)
 ```
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/apis/definitions/AppTranslationApi.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/apis/definitions/AppTranslationApi.ts
index 463aee02bf..44f85c0c89 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/apis/definitions/AppTranslationApi.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/apis/definitions/AppTranslationApi.ts
@@ -22,14 +22,12 @@ import { ApiRef, createApiRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 export type AppTranslationApi = {
   getI18n(): i18n;
 
-  addResourcesByRef<Messages extends Record<string, string>>(
-    translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
-  ): void;
+  addResource(resource: TranslationRef): void;
 };
 
 /**
  * @alpha
  */
 export const appTranslationApiRef: ApiRef<AppTranslationApi> = createApiRef({
-  id: 'core.apptranslation',
+  id: 'core.translation',
 });
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationMessages.test.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationMessages.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5314c8a054
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationMessages.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { createTranslationMessages } from './TranslationMessages';
+import { createTranslationRef } from './TranslationRef';
+
+const ref = createTranslationRef({
+  id: 'counting',
+  messages: {
+    one: 'one',
+    two: 'two',
+    three: 'three',
+  } as const,
+});
+
+describe('createTranslationMessages', () => {
+  it('should create a partial message set', () => {
+    expect(
+      createTranslationMessages({
+        ref,
+        messages: {
+          one: 'uno',
+        },
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({
+      $$type: '@backstage/TranslationMessages',
+      id: 'counting',
+      full: false,
+      messages: {
+        one: 'uno',
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('should create a full message set', () => {
+    expect(
+      createTranslationMessages({
+        ref,
+        full: true,
+        messages: {
+          one: 'uno',
+          two: 'dos',
+          three: null,
+        },
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({
+      $$type: '@backstage/TranslationMessages',
+      id: 'counting',
+      full: true,
+      messages: {
+        one: 'uno',
+        two: 'dos',
+        three: null,
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('should require all messages in a full set', () => {
+    expect(
+      createTranslationMessages({
+        ref,
+        full: true,
+        // @ts-expect-error
+        messages: {
+          one: 'uno',
+          two: 'dos',
+        },
+      }),
+    ).toEqual({
+      $$type: '@backstage/TranslationMessages',
+      id: 'counting',
+      full: true,
+      messages: {
+        one: 'uno',
+        two: 'dos',
+      },
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationMessages.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationMessages.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0108fb9f18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationMessages.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+
+/**
+ * Represents a collection of messages to be provided for a given translation ref.
+ *
+ * @alpha
+ * @remarks
+ *
+ * This collection of messages can either be used directly as an override for the
+ * default messages, or it can be used to provide translations for a language by
+ * by being referenced by a {@link TranslationResource}.
+ */
+export interface TranslationMessages<
+  TId extends string = string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string } = { [key in string]: string },
+  TFull extends boolean = boolean,
+> {
+  $$type: '@backstage/TranslationMessages';
+  /** The ID of the translation ref that these messages are for */
+  id: TId;
+  /** Whether or not these messages override all known messages */
+  full: TFull;
+  /** The messages provided for the given translation ref */
+  messages: TMessages;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Options for {@link createTranslationMessages}.
+ *
+ * @alpha
+ */
+export interface TranslationMessagesOptions<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+  TFull extends boolean,
+> {
+  ref: TranslationRef<TId, TMessages>;
+
+  full?: TFull;
+
+  messages: false extends TFull
+    ? { [key in keyof TMessages]?: string | null }
+    : { [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a collection of messages for a given translation ref.
+ *
+ * @alpha
+ */
+export function createTranslationMessages<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+  TFull extends boolean,
+>(
+  options: TranslationMessagesOptions<TId, TMessages, TFull>,
+): TranslationMessages<TId, TMessages, TFull> {
+  return {
+    $$type: '@backstage/TranslationMessages',
+    id: options.ref.id,
+    full: Boolean(options.full) as TFull,
+    messages: options.messages as TMessages,
+  };
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.test.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.test.ts
index 155624a122..b73b521774 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.test.ts
@@ -13,48 +13,61 @@
  * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
  * limitations under the License.
  */
-import { TranslationRefImpl, createTranslationRef } from './TranslationRef';
+import {
+  createTranslationRef,
+  toInternalTranslationRef,
+} from './TranslationRef';
+import { toInternalTranslationResource } from './TranslationResource';
 
 describe('TranslationRefImpl', () => {
-  it('should create a TranslationRef instance', () => {
-    const config = {
-      id: 'testId',
-      messages: { key: 'value' },
-    };
-
-    const translationRef = TranslationRefImpl.create(config);
-
-    expect(translationRef.getId()).toBe('testId');
-    expect(translationRef.getDefaultMessages()).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
-  });
-
   it('should create a TranslationRef instance using the factory function', () => {
-    const config = {
-      id: 'testId',
+    const ref = createTranslationRef({
+      id: 'test',
       messages: { key: 'value' },
-    };
+    });
 
-    const translationRef = createTranslationRef(config);
+    const internalRef = toInternalTranslationRef(ref);
 
-    expect(translationRef.getId()).toBe('testId');
-    expect(translationRef.getDefaultMessages()).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
+    expect(internalRef.$$type).toBe('@backstage/TranslationRef');
+    expect(internalRef.version).toBe('v1');
+    expect(internalRef.id).toBe('test');
+    expect(internalRef.getDefaultMessages()).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
   });
 
-  it('should get lazy resources', async () => {
-    const config = {
-      id: 'testId',
+  it('should be created with lazy translations', async () => {
+    const ref = createTranslationRef({
+      id: 'test',
       messages: { key: 'value' },
-      lazyResources: {
-        en: () => Promise.resolve({ messages: { key: 'value' } }),
+      translations: {
+        de: () => Promise.resolve({ default: { key: 'other-value' } }),
       },
-    };
+    });
 
-    const translationRef = TranslationRefImpl.create(config);
+    const internalRef = toInternalTranslationRef(ref);
 
-    const lazyResources = translationRef.getLazyResources();
+    expect(internalRef.$$type).toBe('@backstage/TranslationRef');
+    expect(internalRef.version).toBe('v1');
+    expect(internalRef.id).toBe('test');
+    expect(internalRef.getDefaultMessages()).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
 
-    const messages = await lazyResources?.en();
-
-    expect(messages).toEqual({ messages: { key: 'value' } });
+    const internalResource = toInternalTranslationResource(
+      internalRef.getDefaultResource()!,
+    );
+    expect(internalResource).toEqual({
+      $$type: '@backstage/TranslationResource',
+      version: 'v1',
+      id: 'test',
+      resources: [
+        {
+          language: 'de',
+          loader: expect.any(Function),
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+    await expect(internalResource.resources[0].loader()).resolves.toEqual({
+      messages: {
+        key: 'other-value',
+      },
+    });
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.ts
index d01f7ca261..748473f92d 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationRef.ts
@@ -14,48 +14,131 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { TranslationRef, TranslationRefConfig } from './types';
+import {
+  createTranslationResource,
+  TranslationResource,
+} from './TranslationResource';
 
 /** @alpha */
-export class TranslationRefImpl<Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>>
-  implements TranslationRef<Messages>
-{
-  static create<Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>>(
-    config: TranslationRefConfig<Messages>,
-  ) {
-    return new TranslationRefImpl(config);
-  }
+export interface TranslationRef<
+  TId extends string = string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string } = { [key in string]: string },
+> {
+  $$type: '@backstage/TranslationRef';
 
-  getId() {
-    return this.config.id;
-  }
+  id: TId;
 
-  getDefaultMessages(): Messages {
-    return this.config.messages;
-  }
+  T: TMessages;
+}
 
-  getLazyResources():
-    | Record<string, () => Promise<{ messages: Messages }>>
-    | undefined {
-    return this.config.lazyResources;
-  }
+/** @internal */
+type AnyMessages = { [key in string]: string };
 
-  getResources(): Record<string, Messages> | undefined {
-    return this.config.resources;
-  }
+/** @internal */
+export interface InternalTranslationRef<
+  TId extends string = string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string } = { [key in string]: string },
+> extends TranslationRef<TId, TMessages> {
+  version: 'v1';
 
-  toString() {
-    return `TranslationRef(${this.getId()})`;
-  }
+  getDefaultMessages(): AnyMessages;
 
-  private constructor(
-    private readonly config: TranslationRefConfig<Messages>,
-  ) {}
+  getDefaultResource(): TranslationResource | undefined;
 }
 
 /** @alpha */
-export const createTranslationRef = <
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string> = {},
+export interface TranslationRefOptions<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default: { [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null };
+    }>;
+  },
+> {
+  id: TId;
+  messages: TMessages;
+  translations?: TTranslations;
+}
+
+/** @internal */
+class TranslationRefImpl<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+> implements InternalTranslationRef<TId, TMessages>
+{
+  #id: TId;
+  #messages: TMessages;
+  #resources: TranslationResource | undefined;
+
+  constructor(options: TranslationRefOptions<TId, TMessages, any>) {
+    this.#id = options.id;
+    this.#messages = options.messages;
+  }
+
+  $$type = '@backstage/TranslationRef' as const;
+
+  version = 'v1' as const;
+
+  get id(): TId {
+    return this.#id;
+  }
+
+  get T(): never {
+    throw new Error('Not implemented');
+  }
+
+  getDefaultMessages(): AnyMessages {
+    return this.#messages;
+  }
+
+  setDefaultResource(resources: TranslationResource): void {
+    this.#resources = resources;
+  }
+
+  getDefaultResource(): TranslationResource | undefined {
+    return this.#resources;
+  }
+
+  toString() {
+    return `TranslationRef{id=${this.id}}`;
+  }
+}
+
+/** @alpha */
+export function createTranslationRef<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default: { [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null };
+    }>;
+  },
 >(
-  config: TranslationRefConfig<Messages>,
-): TranslationRef<Messages> => TranslationRefImpl.create(config);
+  config: TranslationRefOptions<TId, TMessages, TTranslations>,
+): TranslationRef<TId, TMessages> {
+  const ref = new TranslationRefImpl(config);
+  if (config.translations) {
+    ref.setDefaultResource(
+      createTranslationResource({
+        ref,
+        translations: config.translations as any,
+      }),
+    );
+  }
+  return ref;
+}
+
+/** @internal */
+export function toInternalTranslationRef(
+  ref: TranslationRef,
+): InternalTranslationRef {
+  const r = ref as InternalTranslationRef;
+  if (r.$$type !== '@backstage/TranslationRef') {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid translation ref, bad type '${r.$$type}'`);
+  }
+  if (r.version !== 'v1') {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid translation ref, bad version '${r.version}'`);
+  }
+  return r;
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource.test.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1814311f71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import {
+  createTranslationResource,
+  toInternalTranslationResource,
+} from './TranslationResource';
+import { countingTranslationRef } from './__fixtures__/refs';
+
+describe('createTranslationResource', () => {
+  it('should create a simple resource', async () => {
+    const resource = createTranslationResource({
+      ref: countingTranslationRef,
+      translations: {
+        sv: () =>
+          Promise.resolve({
+            default: {
+              one: 'ett',
+              two: 'två',
+              three: 'tre',
+            },
+          }),
+      },
+    });
+    expect(toInternalTranslationResource(resource)).toEqual({
+      $$type: '@backstage/TranslationResource',
+      version: 'v1',
+      id: 'counting',
+      resources: [
+        {
+          language: 'sv',
+          loader: expect.any(Function),
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+    await expect(
+      toInternalTranslationResource(resource).resources[0].loader(),
+    ).resolves.toEqual({
+      messages: {
+        one: 'ett',
+        two: 'två',
+        three: 'tre',
+      },
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('should create a resource with lazy loaded messages', async () => {
+    const resource = createTranslationResource({
+      ref: countingTranslationRef,
+      translations: {
+        de: () => import('./__fixtures__/counting-de'),
+        sv: () => import('./__fixtures__/counting-sv.json'),
+        // @ts-expect-error
+        deBad: () => import('./__fixtures__/fruits-de.json'),
+        // @ts-expect-error
+        svBad: () => import('./__fixtures__/fruits-sv'),
+      },
+    });
+    expect(toInternalTranslationResource(resource)).toEqual({
+      $$type: '@backstage/TranslationResource',
+      version: 'v1',
+      id: 'counting',
+      resources: [
+        {
+          language: 'de',
+          loader: expect.any(Function),
+        },
+        {
+          language: 'sv',
+          loader: expect.any(Function),
+        },
+        {
+          language: 'deBad',
+          loader: expect.any(Function),
+        },
+        {
+          language: 'svBad',
+          loader: expect.any(Function),
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      toInternalTranslationResource(resource).resources[0].loader(),
+    ).resolves.toEqual({
+      messages: {
+        one: 'eins',
+        two: 'zwei',
+        three: 'polizei',
+      },
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      toInternalTranslationResource(resource).resources[1].loader(),
+    ).resolves.toEqual({
+      messages: {
+        one: 'ett',
+        two: 'två',
+        three: 'tre',
+      },
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..50d10546cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/TranslationResource.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import {
+  TranslationMessages,
+  TranslationRef,
+} from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+
+/** @alpha */
+export interface TranslationResource<TId extends string = string> {
+  $$type: '@backstage/TranslationResource';
+  id: TId;
+}
+
+/** @internal */
+export interface InternalTranslationResource<TId extends string = string>
+  extends TranslationResource<TId> {
+  version: 'v1';
+  resources: Array<{
+    language: string;
+    loader(): Promise<{ messages: { [key in string]: string | null } }>;
+  }>;
+}
+
+/** @internal */
+export function toInternalTranslationResource<TId extends string>(
+  resource: TranslationResource<TId>,
+): InternalTranslationResource<TId> {
+  const r = resource as InternalTranslationResource<TId>;
+  if (r.$$type !== '@backstage/TranslationResource') {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid translation resource, bad type '${r.$$type}'`);
+  }
+  if (r.version !== 'v1') {
+    throw new Error(`Invalid translation resource, bad version '${r.version}'`);
+  }
+
+  return r;
+}
+
+/** @alpha */
+export interface TranslationResourceOptions<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default:
+        | TranslationMessages<TId>
+        | { [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null };
+    }>;
+  },
+> {
+  ref: TranslationRef<TId, TMessages>;
+
+  translations: TTranslations;
+}
+
+/** @alpha */
+export function createTranslationResource<
+  TId extends string,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
+  TTranslations extends {
+    [language in string]: () => Promise<{
+      default:
+        | TranslationMessages<TId>
+        | { [key in keyof TMessages]: string | null };
+    }>;
+  },
+>(
+  options: TranslationResourceOptions<TId, TMessages, TTranslations>,
+): TranslationResource<TId> {
+  return {
+    $$type: '@backstage/TranslationResource',
+    version: 'v1',
+    id: options.ref.id,
+    resources: Object.entries(options.translations).map(
+      ([language, loader]) => ({
+        language,
+        loader: () =>
+          loader().then(m => {
+            const value = m.default;
+            return {
+              messages:
+                value?.$$type === '@backstage/TranslationMessages'
+                  ? value.messages
+                  : value,
+            };
+          }),
+      }),
+    ),
+  } as InternalTranslationResource<TId>;
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/counting-de.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/counting-de.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..038432141d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/counting-de.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { createTranslationMessages } from '../TranslationMessages';
+import { countingTranslationRef } from './refs';
+
+export default createTranslationMessages({
+  ref: countingTranslationRef,
+  messages: {
+    one: 'eins',
+    two: 'zwei',
+    three: 'polizei',
+  },
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/counting-sv.json b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/counting-sv.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fdfbde7bd8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/counting-sv.json
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+  "one": "ett",
+  "two": "två",
+  "three": "tre"
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/fruits-de.json b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/fruits-de.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11fb3e78f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/fruits-de.json
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+  "apple": "apfel",
+  "orange": "apfelsine"
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/alpha.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/fruits-sv.ts
similarity index 70%
rename from packages/core-app-api/src/alpha.ts
rename to packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/fruits-sv.ts
index 288676f509..f6c022abb4 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/alpha.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/fruits-sv.ts
@@ -13,5 +13,14 @@
  * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
  * limitations under the License.
  */
-export * from './apis/implementations/AppTranslationApi';
-export * from './app/TranslationResource';
+
+import { createTranslationMessages } from '../TranslationMessages';
+import { fruitsTranslationRef } from './refs';
+
+export default createTranslationMessages({
+  ref: fruitsTranslationRef,
+  messages: {
+    apple: 'äpple',
+    orange: 'apelsin',
+  },
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/TranslationResource.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/refs.ts
similarity index 57%
rename from packages/core-app-api/src/app/TranslationResource.ts
rename to packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/refs.ts
index 65f1c4622c..45fc692c9a 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/TranslationResource.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/__fixtures__/refs.ts
@@ -14,21 +14,24 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
+import { createTranslationRef } from '../TranslationRef';
 
-/** @alpha */
-export type TranslationMessages<T> = T extends TranslationRef<infer R>
-  ? Partial<R>
-  : never;
+export const countingTranslationRef = createTranslationRef({
+  id: 'counting',
+  messages: {
+    one: 'one',
+    two: 'two',
+    three: 'three',
+  },
+});
 
-/** @alpha */
-export function createTranslationResource<T extends TranslationRef>(options: {
-  ref: T;
-  messages?: Record<string, TranslationMessages<T>>;
-  lazyMessages: Record<
-    string,
-    () => Promise<{ messages: TranslationMessages<T> }>
-  >;
-}) {
-  return options;
-}
+export const fruitsTranslationRef = createTranslationRef({
+  id: 'fruits',
+  messages: {
+    apple: 'apple',
+    orange: 'orange',
+  },
+  translations: {
+    de: () => import('./fruits-de.json'),
+  },
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/index.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/index.ts
index 9eaef57206..a03bf4b1f7 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/index.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,22 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-export * from './TranslationRef';
-export * from './types';
-export * from './useTranslationRef';
+export {
+  type TranslationMessages,
+  type TranslationMessagesOptions,
+  createTranslationMessages,
+} from './TranslationMessages';
+export {
+  type TranslationResource,
+  type TranslationResourceOptions,
+  createTranslationResource,
+} from './TranslationResource';
+export {
+  type TranslationRef,
+  type TranslationRefOptions,
+  createTranslationRef,
+} from './TranslationRef';
+export {
+  type TranslationOptions,
+  useTranslationRef,
+} from './useTranslationRef';
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/types.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/types.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 4811c82eb7..0000000000
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/types.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-/** @alpha */
-export interface TranslationRefConfig<
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>,
-> {
-  id: string;
-  messages: Messages;
-  lazyResources?: Record<string, () => Promise<{ messages: Messages }>>;
-  resources?: Record<string, Messages>;
-}
-
-/** @alpha */
-export interface TranslationRef<
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string> = Record<string, string>,
-> {
-  getId(): string;
-
-  getDefaultMessages(): Messages;
-
-  getResources(): Record<string, Messages> | undefined;
-
-  getLazyResources():
-    | Record<string, () => Promise<{ messages: Messages }>>
-    | undefined;
-}
-
-/** @alpha */
-export type TranslationOptions<
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string> = Record<string, string>,
-> = Messages;
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.test.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.test.ts
index 372d72eb23..54e4440928 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.test.ts
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ describe('useTranslationRef', () => {
     };
 
     (useApi as jest.Mock).mockReturnValue({
-      addResourcesByRef: jest.fn(),
+      addResource: jest.fn(),
     });
 
     (useTranslation as jest.Mock).mockReturnValue(i18nMock);
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.ts
index 083bcd1f0e..a11ab9c25b 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/translation/useTranslationRef.ts
@@ -16,26 +16,34 @@
 
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 
-import { TranslationOptions, TranslationRef } from './types';
 import { useApi } from '../apis';
 import { appTranslationApiRef } from '../apis/alpha';
+import { toInternalTranslationRef, TranslationRef } from './TranslationRef';
+
+/** @alpha */
+export interface TranslationOptions {
+  /* no options supported for now */
+}
 
 /** @alpha */
 export const useTranslationRef = <
-  Messages extends Record<keyof Messages, string>,
+  TMessages extends { [key in string]: string },
 >(
-  translationRef: TranslationRef<Messages>,
+  translationRef: TranslationRef<string, TMessages>,
 ) => {
-  const appTranslationApi = useApi(appTranslationApiRef);
+  const translationApi = useApi(appTranslationApiRef);
 
-  appTranslationApi.addResourcesByRef(translationRef);
+  const internalRef = toInternalTranslationRef(translationRef);
+  translationApi.addResource(translationRef);
 
-  const { t } = useTranslation(translationRef.getId());
+  const { t } = useTranslation(internalRef.id, {
+    useSuspense: process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'test',
+  });
 
-  const defaulteMessage = translationRef.getDefaultMessages();
+  const defaultMessages = internalRef.getDefaultMessages();
 
-  return <Tkey extends keyof Messages>(
-    key: Tkey,
+  return <TKey extends keyof TMessages & string>(
+    key: TKey,
     options?: TranslationOptions,
-  ): Messages[Tkey] => t(key as string, defaulteMessage[key], options);
+  ): TMessages[TKey] => t(key, defaultMessages[key], options);
 };
diff --git a/plugins/adr/alpha-api-report.md b/plugins/adr/alpha-api-report.md
index 1d2b3f313d..7ce9f6f055 100644
--- a/plugins/adr/alpha-api-report.md
+++ b/plugins/adr/alpha-api-report.md
@@ -6,11 +6,14 @@
 import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
-export const adrTranslationRef: TranslationRef<{
-  readonly content_header_title: 'Architecture Decision Records';
-  readonly failed_to_fetch: 'Failed to fetch ADRs';
-  readonly no_adrs: 'No ADRs found';
-}>;
+export const adrTranslationRef: TranslationRef<
+  'adr',
+  {
+    readonly content_header_title: 'Architecture Decision Records';
+    readonly failed_to_fetch: 'Failed to fetch ADRs';
+    readonly no_adrs: 'No ADRs found';
+  }
+>;
 
 // (No @packageDocumentation comment for this package)
 ```
diff --git a/plugins/user-settings/alpha-api-report.md b/plugins/user-settings/alpha-api-report.md
index 925d387882..4c6ac6ef39 100644
--- a/plugins/user-settings/alpha-api-report.md
+++ b/plugins/user-settings/alpha-api-report.md
@@ -6,21 +6,24 @@
 import { TranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 
 // @alpha (undocumented)
-export const userSettingsTranslationRef: TranslationRef<{
-  language: string;
-  change_the_language: string;
-  theme: string;
-  theme_light: string;
-  theme_dark: string;
-  theme_auto: string;
-  change_the_theme_mode: string;
-  select_theme_light: string;
-  select_theme_dark: string;
-  select_theme_auto: string;
-  select_theme_custom: string;
-  lng: string;
-  select_lng: string;
-}>;
+export const userSettingsTranslationRef: TranslationRef<
+  'user-settings',
+  {
+    readonly language: 'Language';
+    readonly change_the_language: 'Change the language';
+    readonly theme: 'Theme';
+    readonly theme_light: 'Light';
+    readonly theme_dark: 'Dark';
+    readonly theme_auto: 'Auto';
+    readonly change_the_theme_mode: 'Change the theme mode';
+    readonly select_theme_light: 'Select light';
+    readonly select_theme_dark: 'Select dark';
+    readonly select_theme_auto: 'Select Auto Theme';
+    readonly select_theme_custom: 'Select {{custom}}';
+    readonly lng: '{{language}}';
+    readonly select_lng: 'Select language {{language}}';
+  }
+>;
 
 // (No @packageDocumentation comment for this package)
 ```
diff --git a/plugins/user-settings/src/components/General/UserSettingsThemeToggle.test.tsx b/plugins/user-settings/src/components/General/UserSettingsThemeToggle.test.tsx
index 48d16a9fde..0e07fa8c59 100644
--- a/plugins/user-settings/src/components/General/UserSettingsThemeToggle.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/user-settings/src/components/General/UserSettingsThemeToggle.test.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
  */
 
 import { AppTheme, appThemeApiRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
-import { useTranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 import {
   renderWithEffects,
   TestApiRegistry,
@@ -28,7 +27,6 @@ import { fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react';
 import React from 'react';
 import { UserSettingsThemeToggle } from './UserSettingsThemeToggle';
 import { ApiProvider, AppThemeSelector } from '@backstage/core-app-api';
-import { userSettingsTranslationRef } from '../../translation';
 
 const mockTheme: AppTheme = {
   id: 'light-theme',
@@ -41,11 +39,6 @@ const mockTheme: AppTheme = {
   ),
 };
 
-jest.mock('@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha', () => ({
-  ...jest.requireActual('@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha'),
-  useTranslationRef: jest.fn(),
-}));
-
 const apiRegistry = TestApiRegistry.from([
   appThemeApiRef,
   AppThemeSelector.createWithStorage([mockTheme]),
@@ -54,15 +47,6 @@ const apiRegistry = TestApiRegistry.from([
 describe('<UserSettingsThemeToggle />', () => {
   it('toggles the theme select button', async () => {
     const themeApi = apiRegistry.get(appThemeApiRef);
-    // todo: general test provider
-    const messages: Record<string, string> =
-      userSettingsTranslationRef.getDefaultMessages();
-
-    const useTranslationRefMock = jest
-      .fn()
-      .mockReturnValue((key: string) => messages[key]);
-
-    (useTranslationRef as jest.Mock).mockImplementation(useTranslationRefMock);
 
     const rendered = await renderWithEffects(
       wrapInTestApp(
diff --git a/plugins/user-settings/src/translation.ts b/plugins/user-settings/src/translation.ts
index 920f499082..ffe4174d99 100644
--- a/plugins/user-settings/src/translation.ts
+++ b/plugins/user-settings/src/translation.ts
@@ -33,5 +33,5 @@ export const userSettingsTranslationRef = createTranslationRef({
     select_theme_custom: 'Select {{custom}}',
     lng: '{{language}}',
     select_lng: 'Select language {{language}}',
-  },
+  } as const,
 });