diff --git a/blueprintcompiler/language/values.py b/blueprintcompiler/language/values.py
index 5556d99..833a4a3 100644
--- a/blueprintcompiler/language/values.py
+++ b/blueprintcompiler/language/values.py
@@ -58,6 +58,19 @@ class Translated(AstNode):
                 f"Cannot convert translated string to {expected_type.full_name}"
             )
 
+    @validate("context")
+    def context_double_quoted(self):
+        if self.translate_context is None:
+            return
+
+        if not str(self.group.tokens["context"]).startswith('"'):
+            raise CompileWarning("gettext may not recognize single-quoted strings")
+
+    @validate("string")
+    def string_double_quoted(self):
+        if not str(self.group.tokens["string"]).startswith('"'):
+            raise CompileWarning("gettext may not recognize single-quoted strings")
+
     @docs()
     def ref_docs(self):
         return get_docs_section("Syntax Translated")
@@ -212,12 +225,12 @@ class Flag(AstNode):
         return self.tokens["value"]
 
     @property
-    def value(self) -> T.Optional[int]:
+    def value(self) -> T.Optional[str]:
         type = self.context[ValueTypeCtx].value_type
         if not isinstance(type, Enumeration):
             return None
         elif member := type.members.get(self.name):
-            return member.value
+            return member.nick
         else:
             return None
 
diff --git a/docs/translations.rst b/docs/translations.rst
index 7ebf929..7af2099 100644
--- a/docs/translations.rst
+++ b/docs/translations.rst
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ If you're using Meson's `i18n module <https://mesonbuild.com/i18n-module.html#i1
 
    i18n.gettext('package name', preset: 'glib')
 
+You must use double quotes for the translated strings in order for gettext to recognize them. Newer versions of blueprint will warn you if you use single quotes.
+
 Contexts
 --------
 
diff --git a/tests/sample_errors/single_quoted_translated.blp b/tests/sample_errors/single_quoted_translated.blp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..718fd49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/sample_errors/single_quoted_translated.blp
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+using Gtk 4.0;
+
+Label {
+  label: _('Hello, World!');
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/sample_errors/single_quoted_translated.err b/tests/sample_errors/single_quoted_translated.err
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c725580
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/sample_errors/single_quoted_translated.err
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+4,12,15,gettext may not recognize single-quoted strings
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/samples/flags.ui b/tests/samples/flags.ui
index 2f0a26e..44eb2c4 100644
--- a/tests/samples/flags.ui
+++ b/tests/samples/flags.ui
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ corresponding .blp file and regenerate this file with blueprint-compiler.
 <interface>
   <requires lib="gtk" version="4.0"/>
   <object class="GApplication">
-    <property name="flags">1|4</property>
+    <property name="flags">is-service|handles-open</property>
   </object>
   <object class="GtkEventControllerScroll">
     <property name="flags">1</property>