diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageBundle.java b/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageBundle.java
index d65e29e38..19b1ad0e3 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageBundle.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageBundle.java
@@ -52,6 +52,15 @@ public class MessageBundle
         return MessageUtil.taint(text);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Composes a message key with a single argument. The message can
+     * subsequently be translated in a single call using {@link #xlate}.
+     */
+    public static String compose (String key, Object arg)
+    {
+        return MessageUtil.compose(key, new Object[] { arg });
+    }
+
     /**
      * Composes a message key with an array of arguments. The message can
      * subsequently be translated in a single call using {@link #xlate}.
@@ -70,6 +79,16 @@ public class MessageBundle
         return MessageUtil.compose(key, args);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * A convenience method for calling {@link #compose(String,Object[])}
+     * with an array of arguments that will be automatically tainted (see
+     * {@link #taint}).
+     */
+    public static String tcompose (String key, Object arg)
+    {
+        return MessageUtil.tcompose(key, new Object[] { arg });
+    }
+
     /**
      * A convenience method for calling {@link #compose(String,Object[])}
      * with an array of arguments that will be automatically tainted (see