If you want the .mailtpls going out in various languages you will,
I think, have to have a separate list or sub-list for each language,
and edit the listname.mailtpl appropriately for each.  If the listowner
speaks English just don't change the .mailtpls for the items sent to
the listowner.

No, you don't have to use &LISTNAME, you may type in the name itself.

You may translate anything you like EXCEPT the commands themselves
(SUBSCRIBE, SIGNOFF, UNSUB, SET listname DIGEST, etc.)  Those are
commands and you cannot change those.  Anything else, yeah.

Douglas