diff --git a/core/src/main/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguage.java b/core/src/main/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguage.java
index 1a64b2079..f005fc552 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguage.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguage.java
@@ -167,7 +167,16 @@ public final class IrisLanguage {
             refreshLanguageGuide(override, requestedLocale);
         }
         SnapshotCapture capture = captureForReload(override, requestedLocale);
+        boolean initialLoad = dataFolder == null;
+        boolean changedLocale = !requestedLocale.equals(activeLocale);
         boolean applied = applyReload(resolvedRoot, requestedLocale, capture);
+        if (!applied && initialLoad) {
+            return applyReload(resolvedRoot, requestedLocale,
+                    new SnapshotCapture(LocaleHotloadSnapshot.missing(override, requestedLocale), null));
+        }
+        if (applied && changedLocale && selections != null) {
+            requestConfiguredLocale();
+        }
         if (applied && notifyManualReload) {
             notifyManualReload(capture.snapshot());
         }
@@ -199,6 +208,12 @@ public final class IrisLanguage {
         if (!expected.equals(override.getAbsoluteFile())) {
             return true;
         }
+        if (rawContent == null && !Files.notExists(expected.toPath(), LinkOption.NOFOLLOW_LINKS)) {
+            IOException failure = new IOException("Language file could not be read: " + expected);
+            IrisLogging.error("Could not reload Iris language " + requestedLocale + "; keeping the last valid messages.");
+            IrisLogging.reportError(failure);
+            return false;
+        }
 
         LocaleHotloadSnapshot snapshot = rawContent == null
                 ? LocaleHotloadSnapshot.missing(expected, requestedLocale)
@@ -278,9 +293,6 @@ public final class IrisLanguage {
             return false;
         }
 
-        if (current != null) {
-            requestConfiguredLocale();
-        }
         int warnings = result.validation().warnings().size();
         IrisLogging.debug("Loaded locale " + requestedLocale + " with " + warnings + " fallback "
                 + (warnings == 1 ? "entry" : "entries") + ".");
@@ -629,11 +641,11 @@ public final class IrisLanguage {
     }
 
     static void validateDownload(String locale, String raw) {
-        LocaleOverlay overlay = parseDownloadedOverlay("download:" + locale, locale, raw);
+        LocaleOverlay overlay = parseOverlay("download:" + locale, locale, raw);
         LocalizationValidator.validate(CATALOG, List.of(overlay)).throwIfInvalid();
     }
 
-    static LocaleOverlay parseDownloadedOverlay(String source, String locale, String raw) {
+    static LocaleOverlay parseOverlay(String source, String locale, String raw) {
         LocaleOverlay.Builder builder = LocaleOverlay.builder(source, locale);
         try {
             for (Map.Entry<String, MessageValue> entry : TomlLanguageParser.parseValidValues(raw, CATALOG).entrySet()) {
@@ -645,16 +657,6 @@ public final class IrisLanguage {
         return LocalizationValidator.validValues(CATALOG, builder.build());
     }
 
-    static LocaleOverlay parseOverlay(String source, String locale, String raw) {
-        try {
-            return parseDownloadedOverlay(source, locale, raw);
-        } catch (IllegalArgumentException failure) {
-            IrisLogging.error("Using English for unreadable Iris language file " + source + ".");
-            IrisLogging.reportError(failure);
-            return LocaleOverlay.builder(source, locale).build();
-        }
-    }
-
     static String englishReference() {
         Map<String, MessageValue> values = new LinkedHashMap<>();
         for (MessageKey key : CATALOG.keys()) {
@@ -924,10 +926,7 @@ public final class IrisLanguage {
             }
             return new SnapshotCapture(snapshot, null);
         } catch (Exception failure) {
-            IrisLogging.error("Using English for unreadable Iris language file " + file.getPath() + ".");
-            IrisLogging.reportError(failure);
-            return new SnapshotCapture(LocaleHotloadSnapshot.present(
-                    file, locale, "", sha256(new byte[0])), null);
+            return new SnapshotCapture(null, failure);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/de_DE.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/de_DE.toml
index 0ddb8f08b..cda10dde4 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/de_DE.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/de_DE.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - de_DE
 #
@@ -333,7 +334,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Bewege den Mauszeiger über die Parameter, um mehr zu erfahr
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Der Standardwert für Parameter {parameter} kann nicht gelesen werden"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Fehlendes Argument \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Befehl {command} konnte nicht ausgeführt werden: {reason}"
-usage = "Verwendung: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Dir fehlt die Berechtigung '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/es_ES.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/es_ES.toml
index a1f716c5a..241a93324 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/es_ES.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/es_ES.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - es_ES
 #
@@ -333,7 +334,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Pasa el cursor sobre los parámetros para saber más."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "No se puede analizar el valor predeterminado del parámetro {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Falta el argumento \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "No se pudo ejecutar el comando {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Uso: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "No tienes el permiso '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/fi_FI.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/fi_FI.toml
index 24fa31627..f0a1981a3 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/fi_FI.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/fi_FI.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - fi_FI
 #
@@ -338,7 +339,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Vie hiiri parametrien päälle saadaksesi lisätietoja."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Parametrin {parameter} oletusarvoa ei voi jäsentää"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Puuttuva argumentti \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Komennon {command} suoritus epäonnistui: {reason}"
-usage = "Käyttö: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Sinulta puuttuu käyttöoikeus '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/fr_FR.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/fr_FR.toml
index 09f246b59..6de0596ea 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/fr_FR.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/fr_FR.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - fr_FR
 #
@@ -333,7 +334,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Survolez les paramètres pour en savoir plus."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Impossible d'analyser la valeur par défaut du paramètre {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Argument manquant \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Échec de l'exécution de la commande {command} : {reason}"
-usage = "Utilisation: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Vous n'avez pas la permission '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/he_IL.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/he_IL.toml
index a6d4646a3..e3218c83e 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/he_IL.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/he_IL.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - he_IL
 #
@@ -338,7 +339,6 @@ parameters_hover = "רחפו מעל הפרמטרים כדי ללמוד עוד."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "לא ניתן לנתח את ערך ברירת המחדל של הפרמטר {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "חסר ארגומנט \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "הפעלת הפקודה {command} נכשלה: {reason}"
-usage = "שימוש: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "אין לך את ההרשאה '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/it_IT.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/it_IT.toml
index 09e701923..136592a2e 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/it_IT.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/it_IT.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - it_IT
 #
@@ -333,7 +334,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Passa il cursore sui parametri per saperne di più."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Impossibile analizzare il valore predefinito del parametro {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Argomento mancante \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Impossibile eseguire il comando {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Utilizzo: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Non disponi del permesso '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/ja-JP.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/ja-JP.toml
index e07683bf3..af11d0285 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/ja-JP.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/ja-JP.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - ja-JP
 #
@@ -336,7 +337,6 @@ parameters_hover = "パラメータにカーソルを合わせると詳細が表
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "パラメーター {parameter} のデフォルト値を解析できません"
 "error.missing_argument" = "引数 \"{parameter}\" ({type}) が必要です"
 "error.execution_failed" = "コマンド {command} の実行に失敗しました: {reason}"
-usage = "使用法: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "権限 '{permission}' がありません"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/ko_KR.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/ko_KR.toml
index 84e7aaed3..13f6b4d0c 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/ko_KR.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/ko_KR.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - ko_KR
 #
@@ -336,7 +337,6 @@ parameters_hover = "매개변수 위에 마우스를 올리면 자세한 내용
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "매개변수 {parameter}의 기본값을 분석할 수 없습니다"
 "error.missing_argument" = "인수 \"{parameter}\" ({type})가 필요합니다"
 "error.execution_failed" = "명령어 {command} 실행에 실패했습니다: {reason}"
-usage = "사용법: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "'{permission}' 권한이 없습니다"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/lt_LT.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/lt_LT.toml
index d26e4eb95..383a045dd 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/lt_LT.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/lt_LT.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - lt_LT
 #
@@ -338,7 +339,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Užveskite pelės žymeklį ant parametrų, kad sužinotumė
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Nepavyko nuskaityti parametro {parameter} numatytosios reikšmės"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Trūksta argumento \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Nepavyko įvykdyti komandos {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Naudojimas: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Jums trūksta leidimo '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/nl_NL.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/nl_NL.toml
index c6968a19c..81899f0ca 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/nl_NL.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/nl_NL.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - nl_NL
 #
@@ -333,7 +334,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Beweeg de muis over de parameters voor meer informatie."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Kan de standaardwaarde voor parameter {parameter} niet verwerken"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Ontbrekend argument \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Opdracht {command} kon niet worden uitgevoerd: {reason}"
-usage = "Gebruik: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Je hebt niet de vereiste permissie '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/pl_PL.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/pl_PL.toml
index d1590e8af..a0eefc734 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/pl_PL.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/pl_PL.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - pl_PL
 #
@@ -338,7 +339,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Najedź kursorem na parametry, aby dowiedzieć się więcej.
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Nie można odczytać wartości domyślnej parametru {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Brak argumentu \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Nie udało się wykonać polecenia {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Użycie: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Nie masz uprawnienia '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/pt_PT.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/pt_PT.toml
index 7e070655f..f9e7fcba7 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/pt_PT.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/pt_PT.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - pt_PT
 #
@@ -333,7 +334,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Passe o cursor sobre os parâmetros para saber mais."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Não foi possível interpretar o valor predefinido do parâmetro {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Falta o argumento \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Falha ao executar o comando {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Utilização: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Não tem a permissão '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/ru_RU.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/ru_RU.toml
index 10695490f..0ca3028c9 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/ru_RU.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/ru_RU.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - ru_RU
 #
@@ -338,7 +339,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Наведите курсор на параметры, чт
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Невозможно разобрать значение по умолчанию параметра {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Отсутствует аргумент \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Не удалось выполнить команду {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Использование: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "У вас нет разрешения '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/tr_TR.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/tr_TR.toml
index 00f7e8a7b..08cc296c5 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/tr_TR.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/tr_TR.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - tr_TR
 #
@@ -338,7 +339,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Daha fazla bilgi için imleci parametrelerin üzerine getiri
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "{parameter} parametresinin varsayılan değeri ayrıştırılamıyor"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Eksik bağımsız değişken \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "{command} komutu çalıştırılamadı: {reason}"
-usage = "Kullanım: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "'{permission}' iznine sahip değilsiniz"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/vi_VI.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/vi_VI.toml
index 4ca67848b..25e9a75d3 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/vi_VI.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/vi_VI.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - vi_VI
 #
@@ -336,7 +337,6 @@ parameters_hover = "Di chuột qua các tham số để tìm hiểu thêm."
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "Không thể phân tích giá trị mặc định của tham số {parameter}"
 "error.missing_argument" = "Thiếu đối số \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "Không thể thực thi lệnh {command}: {reason}"
-usage = "Cách dùng: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "Bạn không có quyền '{permission}'"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_CN.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_CN.toml
index cc5704227..96c03751b 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_CN.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_CN.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - zh_CN
 #
@@ -336,7 +337,6 @@ parameters_hover = "将鼠标悬停在参数上以了解更多。"
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "无法解析参数 {parameter} 的默认值"
 "error.missing_argument" = "缺少参数 \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "执行命令 {command} 失败: {reason}"
-usage = "用法: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "你没有权限 '{permission}'。"
diff --git a/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_TW.toml b/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_TW.toml
index 1b89cd69b..2ddb24a2d 100644
--- a/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_TW.toml
+++ b/core/src/main/resources/languages/zh_TW.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"language.editor.title" = "{plugin} › {section}"
 # === Iris language guide ===
 # Iris - zh_TW
 #
@@ -336,7 +337,6 @@ parameters_hover = "將滑鼠懸停在參數上以瞭解更多。"
 "error.default_parse_failed" = "無法解析參數 {parameter} 的預設值"
 "error.missing_argument" = "缺少參數 \"{parameter}\" ({type})"
 "error.execution_failed" = "執行指令 {command} 失敗: {reason}"
-usage = "用法: {usage}"
 
 [iris.command]
 permission_denied = "你沒有權限 '{permission}'。"
diff --git a/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/configuration/SettingsHotloadWatchTest.java b/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/configuration/SettingsHotloadWatchTest.java
index 80ba0b46e..b3da94385 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/configuration/SettingsHotloadWatchTest.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/configuration/SettingsHotloadWatchTest.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import art.arcane.iris.localization.IrisMessages;
 import art.arcane.iris.testsupport.Await;
 import art.arcane.volmlib.util.hotload.ConfigHotloadEngine;
 import art.arcane.volmlib.util.localization.MessageArgument;
+import art.arcane.volmlib.util.localization.LanguageAudience;
 import java.time.Duration;
 import org.junit.After;
 import org.junit.Before;
@@ -17,7 +18,9 @@ import java.io.File;
 import java.io.PrintStream;
 import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
 import java.nio.file.Files;
+import java.nio.file.Path;
 import java.nio.file.attribute.FileTime;
+import java.util.UUID;
 import java.util.concurrent.CountDownLatch;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
@@ -68,22 +71,23 @@ public class SettingsHotloadWatchTest {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void activeLocaleSnapshotAppliesAndInvalidSnapshotUsesEnglish() {
+    public void activeLocaleSnapshotAppliesAndInvalidSnapshotRetainsValidMessages() {
         File override = override("en_US");
         String valid = locale("en_US", "Active {permission}");
 
         assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(present(override, valid)));
         assertEquals("Active " + PERMISSION, permissionMessage());
 
-        assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(present(override, "{ invalid")));
-        assertEquals("You lack the permission '" + PERMISSION + "'", permissionMessage());
+        assertFalse(watch.applySnapshot(present(override, "{ invalid")));
+        assertEquals("Active " + PERMISSION, permissionMessage());
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void activeLocaleDeletionFallsBackToCodeOwnedEnglish() {
+    public void activeLocaleDeletionFallsBackToCodeOwnedEnglish() throws Exception {
         File override = override("en_US");
         assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(present(override, locale("en_US", "Temporary {permission}"))));
         assertEquals("Temporary " + PERMISSION, permissionMessage());
+        Files.delete(override.toPath());
 
         assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(missing(override)));
 
@@ -120,13 +124,13 @@ public class SettingsHotloadWatchTest {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void invalidLocaleAllowsItsSettingsSwitchWithEnglishFallback() throws Exception {
+    public void invalidLocaleRejectsItsSettingsSwitchAndRetainsTheCurrentDefault() throws Exception {
         Files.writeString(override("de_DE").toPath(), "{ invalid", StandardCharsets.UTF_8);
 
-        assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(present(settingsFile, settings("de_DE"))));
+        assertFalse(watch.applySnapshot(present(settingsFile, settings("de_DE"))));
 
-        assertEquals("de_DE", IrisSettings.get().getGeneral().getLanguage());
-        assertEquals("de_DE", IrisLanguage.activeLocale());
+        assertEquals("en_US", IrisSettings.get().getGeneral().getLanguage());
+        assertEquals("en_US", IrisLanguage.activeLocale());
         assertEquals("You lack the permission '" + PERMISSION + "'", permissionMessage());
     }
 
@@ -226,7 +230,7 @@ public class SettingsHotloadWatchTest {
     }
 
     @Test(timeout = 8_000L)
-    public void oversizedActiveLanguageReportsOnceAndUsesEnglish() throws Exception {
+    public void oversizedActiveLanguageReportsOnceAndRetainsValidMessages() throws Exception {
         File override = override("en_US");
         assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(present(override, locale("en_US", "Active {permission}"))));
         byte[] oversized = new byte[2 * 1024 * 1024 + 1];
@@ -238,11 +242,11 @@ public class SettingsHotloadWatchTest {
                 diagnostic,
                 "Failed to read watched Iris file " + override.getAbsolutePath()
         ));
-        assertEquals("You lack the permission '" + PERMISSION + "'", permissionMessage());
+        assertEquals("Active " + PERMISSION, permissionMessage());
     }
 
     @Test(timeout = 8_000L)
-    public void malformedUtf8FailureIsDeduplicatedAndUsesEnglish() throws Exception {
+    public void malformedUtf8FailureIsDeduplicatedAndRetainsValidMessages() throws Exception {
         File override = override("en_US");
         assertTrue(watch.applySnapshot(present(override, locale("en_US", "Active {permission}"))));
         Files.write(override.toPath(), new byte[]{(byte) 0xC3, 0x28});
@@ -253,7 +257,74 @@ public class SettingsHotloadWatchTest {
                 diagnostic,
                 "Failed to read watched Iris file " + override.getAbsolutePath()
         ));
-        assertEquals("You lack the permission '" + PERMISSION + "'", permissionMessage());
+        assertEquals("Active " + PERMISSION, permissionMessage());
+    }
+
+    @Test(timeout = 30_000L)
+    public void personalLanguageWatcherRetainsMalformedFilesAndHandlesDeletionAndRestoration() throws Exception {
+        File personal = override("de_DE");
+        Files.writeString(personal.toPath(), locale("de_DE", "Personal {permission}"));
+        UUID player = UUID.randomUUID();
+        IrisLanguage.start();
+        try {
+            IrisLanguage.selections().selectPlayer(player, "de_DE").get(5L, TimeUnit.SECONDS);
+            Path preferences = dataFolder.toPath().resolve("languages/language-preferences.properties");
+            String savedPreferences = Files.readString(preferences);
+            Files.writeString(personal.toPath(), locale("de_DE", "Live {permission}"));
+            awaitPersonalMessage(player, "Live " + PERMISSION);
+
+            Files.writeString(personal.toPath(), "[unterminated");
+            captureErrorsWhilePolling("Could not reload Iris language de_DE", 150L);
+            assertEquals("Live " + PERMISSION, personalMessage(player));
+
+            Files.writeString(override("en_US").toPath(), locale("en_US", "Server {permission}"));
+            awaitPermissionMessage("Server " + PERMISSION);
+            assertEquals("Live " + PERMISSION, personalMessage(player));
+            assertEquals("[unterminated", Files.readString(personal.toPath()));
+
+            String partial = "[iris.command]\nunknown = 'Partial'\n";
+            Files.writeString(personal.toPath(), partial);
+            awaitPersonalUnknown(player, "Partial");
+            assertEquals("You lack the permission '" + PERMISSION + "'", personalMessage(player));
+
+            Files.delete(personal.toPath());
+            awaitPersonalUnknown(player, "Unknown Iris command");
+            assertFalse(personal.exists());
+            assertEquals("de_DE", IrisLanguage.selections().playerLocale(player).orElseThrow());
+            assertEquals(savedPreferences, Files.readString(preferences));
+            assertEquals("en_US", IrisLanguage.activeLocale());
+            assertTrue(IrisLanguage.reload(dataFolder, "en_US"));
+            assertEquals("Unknown Iris command", personalUnknown(player));
+            assertFalse(personal.exists());
+
+            Files.writeString(personal.toPath(), partial);
+            awaitPersonalUnknown(player, "Partial");
+            assertEquals(savedPreferences, Files.readString(preferences));
+        } finally {
+            IrisLanguage.shutdown();
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void awaitPersonalMessage(UUID player, String expected) {
+        assertTrue(Await.reached("the personal permission message '" + expected + "'", Duration.ofSeconds(5L), () -> {
+            watch.checkConfigHotload();
+            return expected.equals(personalMessage(player));
+        }));
+    }
+
+    private void awaitPersonalUnknown(UUID player, String expected) {
+        assertTrue(Await.reached("the personal unknown-command message '" + expected + "'", Duration.ofSeconds(5L), () -> {
+            watch.checkConfigHotload();
+            return expected.equals(personalUnknown(player));
+        }));
+    }
+
+    private String personalMessage(UUID player) {
+        return LanguageAudience.call(player, this::permissionMessage);
+    }
+
+    private String personalUnknown(UUID player) {
+        return LanguageAudience.call(player, () -> IrisLanguage.plain(IrisMessages.COMMAND_UNKNOWN));
     }
 
     private void awaitPermissionMessage(String expected) {
diff --git a/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguageTest.java b/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguageTest.java
index 14c981276..e90a72790 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguageTest.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/art/arcane/iris/localization/IrisLanguageTest.java
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ public class IrisLanguageTest {
 
     private LocaleOverlay loadSourceOverlay(String locale) throws Exception {
         Path source = ProjectPaths.moduleFile("src/main/resources/languages").resolve(locale + ".toml");
-        return IrisLanguage.parseDownloadedOverlay(source.toString(), locale, Files.readString(source));
+        return IrisLanguage.parseOverlay(source.toString(), locale, Files.readString(source));
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ public class IrisLanguageTest {
                 "iris.command.unknown" = "Unbekannter Iris-Befehl"
                 "iris.modded.help.entry.command.version" = "Version anzeigen"
                 """;
-        LocaleOverlay downloaded = IrisLanguage.parseDownloadedOverlay("download", "de_DE", raw);
+        LocaleOverlay downloaded = IrisLanguage.parseOverlay("download", "de_DE", raw);
         assertEquals(Set.of(IrisMessages.COMMAND_UNKNOWN.id()), downloaded.values().keySet());
         assertTrue(LocalizationValidator.validate(IrisLanguage.catalog(), List.of(downloaded)).errors().isEmpty());
         LocaleOverlay local = IrisLanguage.parseOverlay("language", "de_DE", raw);
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ public class IrisLanguageTest {
 
     @Test
     public void invalidPlaceholdersAreExcludedWithoutDiscardingValidMessages() {
-        LocaleOverlay downloaded = IrisLanguage.parseDownloadedOverlay("download", "de_DE", """
+        LocaleOverlay downloaded = IrisLanguage.parseOverlay("download", "de_DE", """
                 "iris.command.permission_denied" = "Keine Erlaubnis"
                 "iris.command.unknown" = "Unbekannter Iris-Befehl"
                 """);
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ public class IrisLanguageTest {
     public void generatedEnglishLanguageRoundTripsTheEntireCatalog() throws Exception {
         Path english = dataFolder.toPath().resolve("languages/en_US.toml");
         assertTrue(Files.isRegularFile(english));
-        LocaleOverlay overlay = IrisLanguage.parseDownloadedOverlay(english.toString(), "en_US", Files.readString(english));
+        LocaleOverlay overlay = IrisLanguage.parseOverlay(english.toString(), "en_US", Files.readString(english));
         assertEquals(IrisLanguage.catalog().ids(), overlay.values().keySet());
         for (MessageKey key : IrisLanguage.catalog().keys()) {
             assertEquals(key.id(), key.englishValue(), overlay.value(key.id()));
@@ -475,16 +475,33 @@ public class IrisLanguageTest {
     }
 
     @Test
-    public void unreadableTomlUsesEnglishWithoutReplacingTheFile() throws Exception {
+    public void unreadableTomlRetainsTheLastValidMessagesWithoutReplacingTheFile() throws Exception {
         assertTrue(IrisLanguage.reload(dataFolder, "de_DE"));
+        String previous = IrisLanguage.plain(IrisMessages.COMMAND_UNKNOWN);
         String raw = "[unterminated";
         File language = writeLanguage("de_DE", raw);
 
-        assertTrue(IrisLanguage.reload(dataFolder, "de_DE"));
-        assertEquals("Unknown Iris command", IrisLanguage.plain(IrisMessages.COMMAND_UNKNOWN));
+        assertFalse(IrisLanguage.reload(dataFolder, "de_DE"));
+        assertEquals(previous, IrisLanguage.plain(IrisMessages.COMMAND_UNKNOWN));
         assertEquals(raw, Files.readString(language.toPath()));
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void malformedStartupLanguageUsesBuiltInEnglishAndKeepsSelectionsAvailable() throws Exception {
+        IrisLanguage.shutdown();
+        String raw = "[unterminated";
+        File language = writeLanguage("en_US", raw);
+        try {
+            assertTrue(IrisLanguage.reload(dataFolder, "en_US"));
+            IrisLanguage.start();
+            assertNotNull(IrisLanguage.selections());
+            assertEquals("Unknown Iris command", IrisLanguage.plain(IrisMessages.COMMAND_UNKNOWN));
+            assertEquals(raw, Files.readString(language.toPath()));
+        } finally {
+            IrisLanguage.shutdown();
+        }
+    }
+
     @Test
     public void englishEditsSurviveReloadAndMissingEnglishIsCreatedForAnotherLocale() throws Exception {
         String edited = "\"iris.command.unknown\" = \"My Iris command\"\n";