diff --git a/git-sh-setup.sh b/git-sh-setup.sh
index 94e26ed5e8..e3ad57a7e4 100644
--- a/git-sh-setup.sh
+++ b/git-sh-setup.sh
@@ -49,7 +49,9 @@ GIT_QUIET=
 say () {
 	if test -z "$GIT_QUIET"
 	then
-		printf '%s\n' "$*"
+		cat <<EOF
+$*
+EOF
 	fi
 }
 
diff --git a/git-submodule.sh b/git-submodule.sh
index 1bf19b733c..26ad9dac70 100755
--- a/git-submodule.sh
+++ b/git-submodule.sh
@@ -223,12 +223,11 @@ cmd_add()
 
 	if test -z "$force" && ! git add --dry-run --ignore-missing "$path" > /dev/null 2>&1
 	then
-		(
-			eval_gettext "The following path is ignored by one of your .gitignore files:
-\$path
-Use -f if you really want to add it." &&
-			echo
-		) >&2
+		cat >&2 <<EOF
+The following path is ignored by one of your .gitignore files:
+$(gettext $path)
+Use -f if you really want to add it.
+EOF
 		exit 1
 	fi