diff --git a/sphinx/io.py b/sphinx/io.py
index 459d250e45f..135010b962b 100644
--- a/sphinx/io.py
+++ b/sphinx/io.py
@@ -143,6 +143,11 @@ def setup(self, app: Sphinx) -> None:
             if transform in self.transforms:
                 self.transforms.remove(transform)
 
+    def parse(self) -> None:
+        """Override the BaseReader parse method to call self.parser.parse_inline()."""
+        self.document = document = self.new_document()
+        self.parser.parse_inline(self.input, document, 1)
+
 
 class SphinxDummyWriter(UnfilteredWriter):
     """Dummy writer module used for generating doctree."""
diff --git a/sphinx/parsers.py b/sphinx/parsers.py
index 955d59b3b79..7375059d68c 100644
--- a/sphinx/parsers.py
+++ b/sphinx/parsers.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import docutils.parsers
 import docutils.parsers.rst
 from docutils import nodes
-from docutils.parsers.rst import states
+from docutils.parsers.rst import languages, states
 from docutils.statemachine import StringList
 from docutils.transforms.universal import SmartQuotes
 
@@ -46,6 +46,11 @@ def set_application(self, app: Sphinx) -> None:
         self.config = app.config
         self.env = app.env
 
+    def parse_inline(self, inputstring: str, document: nodes.document, lineno: int) -> None:
+        """Parse the inline elements of a text block and generate a document tree."""
+        msg = 'Parser subclasses must implement parse_inline'
+        raise NotImplementedError(msg)
+
 
 class RSTParser(docutils.parsers.rst.Parser, Parser):
     """A reST parser for Sphinx."""
@@ -60,6 +65,30 @@ def get_transforms(self) -> list[type[Transform]]:
         transforms.remove(SmartQuotes)
         return transforms
 
+    def parse_inline(self, inputstring: str, document: nodes.document, lineno: int) -> None:
+        """Parse inline syntax from text and generate a document tree."""
+        # Avoid "Literal block expected; none found." warnings.
+        if inputstring.endswith('::'):
+            inputstring = inputstring[:-1]
+
+        reporter = document.reporter
+        reporter.get_source_and_line = lambda x: (document['source'], x)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        language = languages.get_language(document.settings.language_code, reporter)
+        if self.inliner is None:
+            inliner = states.Inliner()
+        else:
+            inliner = self.inliner
+        inliner.init_customizations(document.settings)
+        memo = states.Struct(
+            document=document,
+            reporter=reporter,
+            language=language,
+        )
+        textnodes, messages = inliner.parse(inputstring, lineno, memo, document)
+        p = nodes.paragraph(inputstring, '', *textnodes)
+        p.source, p.line = document['source'], lineno
+        document += [p, *messages]
+
     def parse(self, inputstring: str | StringList, document: nodes.document) -> None:
         """Parse text and generate a document tree."""
         self.setup_parse(inputstring, document)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
diff --git a/sphinx/transforms/i18n.py b/sphinx/transforms/i18n.py
index 88b7f416e4b..5c78e0e7468 100644
--- a/sphinx/transforms/i18n.py
+++ b/sphinx/transforms/i18n.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 import contextlib
 from os import path
 from re import DOTALL, match
-from textwrap import indent
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, TypeVar
 
 from docutils import nodes
@@ -21,7 +20,6 @@
 from sphinx.util.i18n import docname_to_domain
 from sphinx.util.index_entries import split_index_msg
 from sphinx.util.nodes import (
-    IMAGE_TYPE_NODES,
     LITERAL_TYPE_NODES,
     NodeMatcher,
     extract_messages,
@@ -380,25 +378,12 @@ def apply(self, **kwargs: Any) -> None:
                 node['translated'] = True
                 continue
 
-            # Avoid "Literal block expected; none found." warnings.
-            # If msgstr ends with '::' then it cause warning message at
-            # parser.parse() processing.
-            # literal-block-warning is only appear in avobe case.
-            if msgstr.strip().endswith('::'):
-                msgstr += '\n\n   dummy literal'
-                # dummy literal node will discard by 'patch = patch[0]'
-
-            # literalblock need literal block notation to avoid it become
-            # paragraph.
+            # literalblock can not contain references or terms
             if isinstance(node, LITERAL_TYPE_NODES):
-                msgstr = '::\n\n' + indent(msgstr, ' ' * 3)
+                continue
 
             patch = publish_msgstr(self.app, msgstr, source,
                                    node.line, self.config, settings)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-            # FIXME: no warnings about inconsistent references in this part
-            # XXX doctest and other block markup
-            if not isinstance(patch, nodes.paragraph):
-                continue  # skip for now
 
             updater = _NodeUpdater(node, patch, self.document, noqa=False)
             processed = updater.update_title_mapping()
@@ -453,45 +438,25 @@ def apply(self, **kwargs: Any) -> None:
                 node['alt'] = msgstr
                 continue
 
-            # Avoid "Literal block expected; none found." warnings.
-            # If msgstr ends with '::' then it cause warning message at
-            # parser.parse() processing.
-            # literal-block-warning is only appear in avobe case.
-            if msgstr.strip().endswith('::'):
-                msgstr += '\n\n   dummy literal'
-                # dummy literal node will discard by 'patch = patch[0]'
-
-            # literalblock need literal block notation to avoid it become
-            # paragraph.
-            if isinstance(node, LITERAL_TYPE_NODES):
-                msgstr = '::\n\n' + indent(msgstr, ' ' * 3)
+            if isinstance(node, nodes.image) and node.get('uri') == msg:
+                node['uri'] = msgstr
+                continue
 
-            # Structural Subelements phase1
-            # There is a possibility that only the title node is created.
-            # see: https://docutils.sourceforge.io/docs/ref/doctree.html#structural-subelements
-            if isinstance(node, nodes.title):
-                # This generates: <section ...><title>msgstr</title></section>
-                msgstr = msgstr + '\n' + '=' * len(msgstr) * 2
+            # literalblock do not need to be parsed as they do not contain inline syntax,
+            # except for parsed-literals, but they use the same node type, so we differentiate
+            # them based on their number of children.
+            if isinstance(node, LITERAL_TYPE_NODES) and len(node.children) <= 1:
+                node.children = [nodes.Text(msgstr)]
+                # for highlighting that expects .rawsource and .astext() are same.
+                node.rawsource = node.astext()
+                node['translated'] = True
+                continue
 
             patch = publish_msgstr(self.app, msgstr, source,
                                    node.line, self.config, settings)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-            # Structural Subelements phase2
-            if isinstance(node, nodes.title):
-                # get <title> node that placed as a first child
-                patch = patch.next_node()  # type: ignore[assignment]
 
             # ignore unexpected markups in translation message
-            unexpected: tuple[type[nodes.Element], ...] = (
-                nodes.paragraph,    # expected form of translation
-                nodes.title,        # generated by above "Subelements phase2"
-            )
-
-            # following types are expected if
-            # config.gettext_additional_targets is configured
-            unexpected += LITERAL_TYPE_NODES
-            unexpected += IMAGE_TYPE_NODES
-
-            if not isinstance(patch, unexpected):
+            if not isinstance(patch, nodes.paragraph):
                 continue  # skip
 
             updater = _NodeUpdater(node, patch, self.document, noqa)
@@ -502,15 +467,6 @@ def apply(self, **kwargs: Any) -> None:
             updater.update_pending_xrefs()
             updater.update_leaves()
 
-            # for highlighting that expects .rawsource and .astext() are same.
-            if isinstance(node, LITERAL_TYPE_NODES):
-                node.rawsource = node.astext()
-
-            if isinstance(node, nodes.image) and node.get('alt') != msg:
-                node['uri'] = patch['uri']
-                node['translated'] = False
-                continue  # do not mark translated
-
             node['translated'] = True  # to avoid double translation
 
         if 'index' in self.config.gettext_additional_targets:
diff --git a/sphinx/util/nodes.py b/sphinx/util/nodes.py
index bbc1f64e481..528f1729bef 100644
--- a/sphinx/util/nodes.py
+++ b/sphinx/util/nodes.py
@@ -266,8 +266,7 @@ def extract_messages(doctree: Element) -> Iterable[tuple[Element, str]]:
             if node.get('alt'):
                 yield node, node['alt']
             if node.get('translatable'):
-                image_uri = node.get('original_uri', node['uri'])
-                msg = f'.. image:: {image_uri}'
+                msg = node.get('original_uri', node['uri'])
             else:
                 msg = ''
         elif isinstance(node, nodes.meta):
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-intl/literalblock.txt b/tests/roots/test-intl/literalblock.txt
index 583b5b61072..b930eb773e8 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-intl/literalblock.txt
+++ b/tests/roots/test-intl/literalblock.txt
@@ -69,3 +69,11 @@ doctest blocks
 >>> if __name__ == '__main__':  # if run this py file as python script
 ...     main()  # call main
 
+
+parsed literal
+==============
+
+.. parsed-literal::
+
+   **this** *is*
+   `parsed literal`_
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-intl/markup.txt b/tests/roots/test-intl/markup.txt
index d167a042bca..6d6f6e51bbe 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-intl/markup.txt
+++ b/tests/roots/test-intl/markup.txt
@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ i18n with strange markup
 1. title starting with 1.
 -------------------------
 
+A. Einstein was a really
+smart dude.
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/figure.po b/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/figure.po
index 64bbdf763db..4678aaf69a5 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/figure.po
+++ b/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/figure.po
@@ -40,14 +40,14 @@ msgstr "IMAGE URL AND ALT"
 msgid "img"
 msgstr "IMG -> I18N"
 
-msgid ".. image:: img.png"
-msgstr ".. image:: i18n.png"
+msgid "img.png"
+msgstr "i18n.png"
 
 msgid "i18n"
 msgstr "I18N -> IMG"
 
-msgid ".. image:: i18n.png"
-msgstr ".. image:: img.png"
+msgid "i18n.png"
+msgstr "img.png"
 
 msgid "image on substitution"
 msgstr "IMAGE ON SUBSTITUTION"
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/literalblock.po b/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/literalblock.po
index d320d957e42..18f83185c7f 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/literalblock.po
+++ b/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/literalblock.po
@@ -125,3 +125,13 @@ msgstr ""
 ">>> if __name__ == '__main__':  # IF RUN THIS PY FILE AS PYTHON SCRIPT\n"
 "...     main()  # CALL MAIN"
 
+msgid "parsed literal"
+msgstr "PARSED LITERAL"
+
+msgid ""
+"**this** *is*\n"
+"`parsed literal`_"
+msgstr ""
+"**THIS** *IS*\n"
+"`PARSED LITERAL`_"
+
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/markup.po b/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/markup.po
index ad6de9b4417..0235b458189 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/markup.po
+++ b/tests/roots/test-intl/xx/LC_MESSAGES/markup.po
@@ -23,3 +23,6 @@ msgstr "I18N WITH STRANGE MARKUP"
 msgid "1. title starting with 1."
 msgstr "1. TITLE STARTING WITH 1."
 
+msgid "A. Einstein was a really smart dude."
+msgstr "A. EINSTEIN WAS A REALLY SMART DUDE."
+
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-intl_substitution_definitions/xx/LC_MESSAGES/prolog_epilog_substitution.po b/tests/roots/test-intl_substitution_definitions/xx/LC_MESSAGES/prolog_epilog_substitution.po
index 3ce51fe4ffc..7b32be8da7e 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-intl_substitution_definitions/xx/LC_MESSAGES/prolog_epilog_substitution.po
+++ b/tests/roots/test-intl_substitution_definitions/xx/LC_MESSAGES/prolog_epilog_substitution.po
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ msgstr "SUBSTITUTED IMAGE |subst_epilog_2| HERE."
 msgid "subst_prolog_2"
 msgstr "SUBST_PROLOG_2 TRANSLATED"
 
-msgid ".. image:: /img.png"
-msgstr ".. image:: /i18n.png"
+msgid "/img.png"
+msgstr "/i18n.png"
 
 msgid "subst_epilog_2"
 msgstr "SUBST_EPILOG_2 TRANSLATED"
 
-msgid ".. image:: /i18n.png"
-msgstr ".. image:: /img.png"
+msgid "/i18n.png"
+msgstr "/img.png"
diff --git a/tests/test_builders/test_build_gettext.py b/tests/test_builders/test_build_gettext.py
index dc8f4c9dcbd..15c9204134d 100644
--- a/tests/test_builders/test_build_gettext.py
+++ b/tests/test_builders/test_build_gettext.py
@@ -206,11 +206,11 @@ def test_gettext_prolog_epilog_substitution(app):
         "This is content that contains |subst_prolog_1|.",
         "Substituted image |subst_prolog_2| here.",
         "subst_prolog_2",
-        ".. image:: /img.png",
+        "/img.png",
         "This is content that contains |subst_epilog_1|.",
         "Substituted image |subst_epilog_2| here.",
         "subst_epilog_2",
-        ".. image:: /i18n.png",
+        "/i18n.png",
     ]
 
 
@@ -265,4 +265,6 @@ def test_gettext_literalblock_additional(app):
         "function\\n...     sys.stdout.write('hello')  # call write method of "
         "stdout object\\n>>>\\n>>> if __name__ == '__main__':  # if run this py "
         'file as python script\\n...     main()  # call main',
+        'parsed literal',
+        '**this** *is*\\n`parsed literal`_',
     ]
diff --git a/tests/test_intl/test_intl.py b/tests/test_intl/test_intl.py
index 540af2e62cb..03f0c0af693 100644
--- a/tests/test_intl/test_intl.py
+++ b/tests/test_intl/test_intl.py
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ def test_text_definition_terms(app):
     app.build()
     # --- definition terms: regression test for #975, #2198, #2205
     result = (app.outdir / 'definition_terms.txt').read_text(encoding='utf8')
-    expect = ("13. I18N WITH DEFINITION TERMS"
+    expect = ("14. I18N WITH DEFINITION TERMS"
               "\n******************************\n"
               "\nSOME TERM"
               "\n   THE CORRESPONDING DEFINITION\n"
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ def test_text_glossary_term(app, warning):
     app.build()
     # --- glossary terms: regression test for #1090
     result = (app.outdir / 'glossary_terms.txt').read_text(encoding='utf8')
-    expect = (r"""18. I18N WITH GLOSSARY TERMS
+    expect = (r"""19. I18N WITH GLOSSARY TERMS
 ****************************
 
 SOME NEW TERM
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ def test_text_glossary_term_inconsistencies(app, warning):
     app.build()
     # --- glossary term inconsistencies: regression test for #1090
     result = (app.outdir / 'glossary_terms_inconsistency.txt').read_text(encoding='utf8')
-    expect = ("19. I18N WITH GLOSSARY TERMS INCONSISTENCY"
+    expect = ("20. I18N WITH GLOSSARY TERMS INCONSISTENCY"
               "\n******************************************\n"
               "\n1. LINK TO *SOME NEW TERM*.\n"
               "\n2. LINK TO *TERM NOT IN GLOSSARY*.\n")
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ def test_text_seealso(app):
     app.build()
     # --- seealso
     result = (app.outdir / 'seealso.txt').read_text(encoding='utf8')
-    expect = ("12. I18N WITH SEEALSO"
+    expect = ("13. I18N WITH SEEALSO"
               "\n*********************\n"
               "\nSee also: SHORT TEXT 1\n"
               "\nSee also: LONG TEXT 1\n"
@@ -366,13 +366,13 @@ def test_text_figure_captions(app):
     app.build()
     # --- figure captions: regression test for #940
     result = (app.outdir / 'figure.txt').read_text(encoding='utf8')
-    expect = ("14. I18N WITH FIGURE CAPTION"
+    expect = ("15. I18N WITH FIGURE CAPTION"
               "\n****************************\n"
               "\n   [image]MY CAPTION OF THE FIGURE\n"
               "\n   MY DESCRIPTION PARAGRAPH1 OF THE FIGURE.\n"
               "\n   MY DESCRIPTION PARAGRAPH2 OF THE FIGURE.\n"
               "\n"
-              "\n14.1. FIGURE IN THE BLOCK"
+              "\n15.1. FIGURE IN THE BLOCK"
               "\n=========================\n"
               "\nBLOCK\n"
               "\n      [image]MY CAPTION OF THE FIGURE\n"
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ def test_text_figure_captions(app):
               "\n      MY DESCRIPTION PARAGRAPH2 OF THE FIGURE.\n"
               "\n"
               "\n"
-              "14.2. IMAGE URL AND ALT\n"
+              "15.2. IMAGE URL AND ALT\n"
               "=======================\n"
               "\n"
               "[image: I18N -> IMG][image]\n"
@@ -388,11 +388,11 @@ def test_text_figure_captions(app):
               "   [image: IMG -> I18N][image]\n"
               "\n"
               "\n"
-              "14.3. IMAGE ON SUBSTITUTION\n"
+              "15.3. IMAGE ON SUBSTITUTION\n"
               "===========================\n"
               "\n"
               "\n"
-              "14.4. IMAGE UNDER NOTE\n"
+              "15.4. IMAGE UNDER NOTE\n"
               "======================\n"
               "\n"
               "Note:\n"
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ def test_text_docfields(app):
     app.build()
     # --- docfields
     result = (app.outdir / 'docfields.txt').read_text(encoding='utf8')
-    expect = ("21. I18N WITH DOCFIELDS"
+    expect = ("22. I18N WITH DOCFIELDS"
               "\n***********************\n"
               "\nclass Cls1\n"
               "\n   Parameters:"
@@ -1322,6 +1322,9 @@ def test_xml_strange_markup(app):
     title1, = subsec1.findall('title')
     assert_elem(title1, ['1. TITLE STARTING WITH 1.'])
 
+    pars = subsec1.findall('paragraph')
+    assert_elem(pars[0], ['A. EINSTEIN WAS A REALLY SMART DUDE.'])
+
 
 @sphinx_intl
 @pytest.mark.sphinx('html')
@@ -1443,7 +1446,7 @@ def test_additional_targets_should_be_translated(app):
                      """<span class="no">LIST</span>""")
     assert_count(expected_expr, result, 1)
 
-    # doctest block should not be translated but be highlighted
+    # doctest block should be translated and highlighted
     expected_expr = (
         """<span class="gp">&gt;&gt;&gt; </span>"""
         """<span class="kn">import</span> <span class="nn">sys</span>  """
@@ -1453,6 +1456,11 @@ def test_additional_targets_should_be_translated(app):
     # '#noqa' should remain in literal blocks.
     assert_count("#noqa", result, 1)
 
+    # parsed literal should be translated
+    expected_expr = ('<strong>THIS</strong> <em>IS</em>\n'
+                     '<a class="reference internal" href="#parsed-literal">PARSED LITERAL</a>')
+    assert_count(expected_expr, result, 1)
+
     # [raw.txt]
 
     result = (app.outdir / 'raw.html').read_text(encoding='utf8')
diff --git a/tests/test_markup/test_parse_inline.py b/tests/test_markup/test_parse_inline.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3f1c86b3ddc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_markup/test_parse_inline.py
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+import os
+
+import docutils
+import pytest
+from docutils import frontend, nodes
+from docutils.io import StringInput
+
+from sphinx import addnodes, parsers
+from sphinx.io import SphinxStandaloneReader
+from sphinx.util.console import strip_colors
+
+docutils_version = pytest.mark.skipif(
+    docutils.__version_info__ < (0, 19), reason="at least docutils 0.19 required"
+)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def document(app):
+    settings = frontend.get_default_settings(parsers.RSTParser)
+    settings.env = app.builder.env
+    reader = SphinxStandaloneReader()
+    reader.setup(app)
+    reader.source = StringInput(source_path='dummy/document.rst')
+    reader.settings = settings
+    document = reader.new_document()
+    return document
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def parser(app):
+    parser = parsers.RSTParser()
+    parser.set_application(app)
+    return parser
+
+
+@docutils_version()
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(('rst', 'expected'), [
+    (
+        # pep role
+        ':pep:`8`',
+        [addnodes.index, nodes.target, nodes.reference]
+    ),
+    (
+        # rfc role
+        ':rfc:`2324`',
+        [addnodes.index, nodes.target, nodes.reference]
+    ),
+    (
+        # correct interpretation of code with whitespace
+        '``code   sample``',
+        [nodes.literal]
+    ),
+    (
+        # no ampersands in guilabel
+        ':guilabel:`Foo`',
+        [nodes.inline]
+    ),
+    (
+        # kbd role
+        ':kbd:`space`',
+        [nodes.literal]
+    ),
+    (
+        # description list: simple
+        'term\n    description',
+        [nodes.Text]
+    ),
+    (
+        # description list: with classifiers
+        'term : class1 : class2\n    description',
+        [nodes.Text]
+    ),
+    (
+        # glossary (description list): multiple terms
+        '.. glossary::\n\n   term1\n   term2\n       description',
+        [nodes.Text]
+    ),
+    (
+        # basic inline markup
+        '**Strong** text and *emphasis*',
+        [nodes.strong, nodes.Text, nodes.emphasis]
+    ),
+    (
+        # literal block
+        'see this code block::\n\n   hello world!',
+        [nodes.Text]
+    ),
+    (
+        # missing literal block
+        'see this code block::',
+        [nodes.Text]
+    ),
+    (
+        # section title
+        'This is a title\n================\n',
+        [nodes.Text]
+    ),
+    (
+        # footnote reference
+        'Reference a footnote [1]_',
+        [nodes.Text, nodes.footnote_reference]
+    ),
+    (
+        # substitution reference
+        'here is a |substituted| text',
+        [nodes.Text, nodes.substitution_reference, nodes.Text]
+    ),
+])
+def test_inline_no_error(rst, expected, parser, document):
+    parser.parse_inline(rst, document, 1)
+    assert len(document.children) == 1
+    paragraph = document.children[0]
+    assert paragraph.__class__ == nodes.paragraph
+    assert len(paragraph.children) == len(expected)
+    for i, child in enumerate(paragraph.children):
+        assert child.__class__ == expected[i]
+
+
+@docutils_version()
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(('rst', 'expected'), [
+    (
+        # invalid unfinished literal
+        '``code sample',
+        'WARNING: Inline literal start-string without end-string.'
+    ),
+])
+def test_inline_errors(rst, expected, parser, document, warning):
+    lineno = 5
+    expected = f'dummy/document.rst:{lineno}: {expected}'
+    parser.parse_inline(rst, document, lineno)
+    assert len(document.children) > 1
+    paragraph = document.children[0]
+    messages = document.children[1:]
+    assert paragraph.__class__ == nodes.paragraph
+    for message in messages:
+        assert message.__class__ == nodes.system_message
+    warnings = getwarning(warning)
+    assert expected in warnings
+
+
+def getwarning(warnings):
+    return strip_colors(warnings.getvalue().replace(os.sep, '/'))