diff --git a/openlp/core/ui/exceptionform.py b/openlp/core/ui/exceptionform.py
index e30a9cad4..9cbc7aec2 100644
--- a/openlp/core/ui/exceptionform.py
+++ b/openlp/core/ui/exceptionform.py
@@ -69,6 +69,14 @@ try:
     MAKO_VERSION = mako.__version__
 except ImportError:
     MAKO_VERSION = u'-'
+try:
+    import icu
+    try:
+        ICU_VERSION = icu.VERSION
+    except AttributeError:
+        ICU_VERSION = u'OK'
+except ImportError:
+    ICU_VERSION = u'-'
 try:
     import cherrypy
     CHERRYPY_VERSION = cherrypy.__version__
@@ -149,6 +157,7 @@ class ExceptionForm(QtGui.QDialog, Ui_ExceptionDialog):
             u'PySQLite: %s\n' % SQLITE_VERSION + \
             u'Mako: %s\n' % MAKO_VERSION + \
             u'CherryPy: %s\n' % CHERRYPY_VERSION + \
+            u'pyICU: %s\n' % ICU_VERSION + \
             u'pyUNO bridge: %s\n' % UNO_VERSION + \
             u'VLC: %s\n' % VLC_VERSION
         if platform.system() == u'Linux':
diff --git a/openlp/core/ui/thememanager.py b/openlp/core/ui/thememanager.py
index 89bbe86f8..be0e3bfa1 100644
--- a/openlp/core/ui/thememanager.py
+++ b/openlp/core/ui/thememanager.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ from openlp.core.lib.theme import ThemeXML, BackgroundType, VerticalType, Backgr
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import critical_error_message_box, create_widget_action
 from openlp.core.theme import Theme
 from openlp.core.ui import FileRenameForm, ThemeForm
-from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, delete_file, locale_compare, get_filesystem_encoding
+from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, delete_file, get_locale_key, get_filesystem_encoding
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ class ThemeManager(QtGui.QWidget):
         self.theme_list_widget.clear()
         files = AppLocation.get_files(self.settings_section, u'.png')
         # Sort the themes by its name considering language specific
-        files.sort(key=lambda file_name: unicode(file_name), cmp=locale_compare)
+        files.sort(key=lambda file_name: get_locale_key(unicode(file_name)))
         # now process the file list of png files
         for name in files:
             # check to see file is in theme root directory
diff --git a/openlp/core/utils/__init__.py b/openlp/core/utils/__init__.py
index d32729699..0e48f2fa5 100644
--- a/openlp/core/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/openlp/core/utils/__init__.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import re
 from subprocess import Popen, PIPE
 import sys
 import urllib2
+import icu
 
 from PyQt4 import QtGui, QtCore
 
@@ -56,10 +57,12 @@ from openlp.core.lib import translate
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 APPLICATION_VERSION = {}
 IMAGES_FILTER = None
+ICU_COLLATOR = None
 UNO_CONNECTION_TYPE = u'pipe'
 #UNO_CONNECTION_TYPE = u'socket'
 CONTROL_CHARS = re.compile(r'[\x00-\x1F\x7F-\x9F]', re.UNICODE)
 INVALID_FILE_CHARS = re.compile(r'[\\/:\*\?"<>\|\+\[\]%]', re.UNICODE)
+DIGITS_OR_NONDIGITS = re.compile(r'\d+|\D+', re.UNICODE)
 
 
 class VersionThread(QtCore.QThread):
@@ -379,21 +382,32 @@ def format_time(text, local_time):
     return re.sub('\%[a-zA-Z]', match_formatting, text)
 
 
-def locale_compare(string1, string2):
+def get_locale_key(string):
     """
-    Compares two strings according to the current locale settings.
-
-    As any other compare function, returns a negative, or a positive value,
-    or 0, depending on whether string1 collates before or after string2 or
-    is equal to it. Comparison is case insensitive.
+    Creates a key for case insensitive, locale aware string sorting.
     """
-    # Function locale.strcoll() from standard Python library does not work properly on Windows.
-    return locale.strcoll(string1.lower(), string2.lower())
+    string = string.lower()
+    # For Python 3 on platforms other than Windows ICU is not necessary. In those cases locale.strxfrm(str) can be used.
+    global ICU_COLLATOR
+    if ICU_COLLATOR is None:
+        from languagemanager import LanguageManager
+        locale = LanguageManager.get_language()
+        icu_locale = icu.Locale(locale)
+        ICU_COLLATOR = icu.Collator.createInstance(icu_locale)
+    return ICU_COLLATOR.getSortKey(string)
 
 
-# For performance reasons provide direct reference to compare function without wrapping it in another function making
-# the string lowercase. This is needed for sorting songs.
-locale_direct_compare = locale.strcoll
+def get_natural_key(string):
+    """
+    Generate a key for locale aware natural string sorting.
+    Returns a list of string compare keys and integers.
+    """
+    key = DIGITS_OR_NONDIGITS.findall(string)
+    key = [int(part) if part.isdigit() else get_locale_key(part) for part in key]
+    # Python 3 does not support comparision of different types anymore. So make sure, that we do not compare str and int.
+    #if string[0].isdigit():
+    #    return [''] + key 
+    return key
 
 
 from applocation import AppLocation
@@ -403,4 +417,4 @@ from actions import ActionList
 
 __all__ = [u'AppLocation', u'ActionList', u'LanguageManager', u'get_application_version', u'check_latest_version',
     u'add_actions', u'get_filesystem_encoding', u'get_web_page', u'get_uno_command', u'get_uno_instance',
-    u'delete_file', u'clean_filename', u'format_time', u'locale_compare', u'locale_direct_compare']
+    u'delete_file', u'clean_filename', u'format_time', u'get_locale_key', u'get_natural_key']
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/bibles/forms/bibleimportform.py b/openlp/plugins/bibles/forms/bibleimportform.py
index e360cd4a1..f8d771e77 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/bibles/forms/bibleimportform.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/bibles/forms/bibleimportform.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ from openlp.core.lib import Settings, UiStrings, translate
 from openlp.core.lib.db import delete_database
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import critical_error_message_box
 from openlp.core.ui.wizard import OpenLPWizard, WizardStrings
-from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, locale_compare
+from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, get_locale_key
 from openlp.plugins.bibles.lib.manager import BibleFormat
 from openlp.plugins.bibles.lib.db import BiblesResourcesDB, clean_filename
 
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ class BibleImportForm(OpenLPWizard):
         """
         self.webTranslationComboBox.clear()
         bibles = self.web_bible_list[index].keys()
-        bibles.sort(cmp=locale_compare)
+        bibles.sort(key=get_locale_key)
         self.webTranslationComboBox.addItems(bibles)
 
     def onOsisBrowseButtonClicked(self):
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/bibles/lib/mediaitem.py b/openlp/plugins/bibles/lib/mediaitem.py
index abe3cc45a..86a507612 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/bibles/lib/mediaitem.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/bibles/lib/mediaitem.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from openlp.core.lib import Registry, MediaManagerItem, ItemCapabilities, Servic
 from openlp.core.lib.searchedit import SearchEdit
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import set_case_insensitive_completer, create_horizontal_adjusting_combo_box, \
     critical_error_message_box, find_and_set_in_combo_box, build_icon
-from openlp.core.utils import locale_compare
+from openlp.core.utils import get_locale_key
 from openlp.plugins.bibles.forms import BibleImportForm, EditBibleForm
 from openlp.plugins.bibles.lib import LayoutStyle, DisplayStyle, VerseReferenceList, get_reference_separator, \
     LanguageSelection, BibleStrings
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ class BibleMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
         # Get all bibles and sort the list.
         bibles = self.plugin.manager.get_bibles().keys()
         bibles = filter(None, bibles)
-        bibles.sort(cmp=locale_compare)
+        bibles.sort(key=get_locale_key)
         # Load the bibles into the combo boxes.
         self.quickVersionComboBox.addItems(bibles)
         self.quickSecondComboBox.addItems(bibles)
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ class BibleMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
                     for book in book_data:
                         data = BiblesResourcesDB.get_book_by_id(book.book_reference_id)
                         books.append(data[u'name'] + u' ')
-                books.sort(cmp=locale_compare)
+                books.sort(key=get_locale_key)
         set_case_insensitive_completer(books, self.quickSearchEdit)
 
     def on_import_click(self):
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/custom/lib/db.py b/openlp/plugins/custom/lib/db.py
index cc6e45742..253ca5432 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/custom/lib/db.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/custom/lib/db.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import Column, Table, types
 from sqlalchemy.orm import mapper
 
 from openlp.core.lib.db import BaseModel, init_db
-from openlp.core.utils import locale_compare
+from openlp.core.utils import get_locale_key
 
 class CustomSlide(BaseModel):
     """
@@ -44,11 +44,10 @@ class CustomSlide(BaseModel):
     # By default sort the customs by its title considering language specific
     # characters.
     def __lt__(self, other):
-        r = locale_compare(self.title, other.title)
-        return True if r < 0 else False
+        return get_locale_key(self.title) < get_locale_key(other.title)
 
     def __eq__(self, other):
-        return 0 == locale_compare(self.title, other.title)
+        return get_locale_key(self.title) == get_locale_key(other.title)
 
 
 def init_schema(url):
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py b/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py
index d74b1ccab..fc575ec0a 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/images/lib/mediaitem.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from openlp.core.lib import ItemCapabilities, MediaManagerItem, Registry, Servic
     StringContent, TreeWidgetWithDnD, UiStrings, build_icon, check_directory_exists, check_item_selected, \
     create_thumb, translate, validate_thumb
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import create_widget_action, critical_error_message_box
-from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, delete_file, locale_compare, get_images_filter
+from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, delete_file, get_locale_key, get_images_filter
 from openlp.plugins.images.forms import AddGroupForm, ChooseGroupForm
 from openlp.plugins.images.lib.db import ImageFilenames, ImageGroups
 
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ class ImageMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
             The ID of the group that will be added recursively
         """
         image_groups = self.manager.get_all_objects(ImageGroups, ImageGroups.parent_id == parent_group_id)
-        image_groups.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda group_object: group_object.group_name)
+        image_groups.sort(key=lambda group_object: get_locale_key(group_object.group_name))
         folder_icon = build_icon(u':/images/image_group.png')
         for image_group in image_groups:
             group = QtGui.QTreeWidgetItem()
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ class ImageMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
             combobox.clear()
             combobox.top_level_group_added = False
         image_groups = self.manager.get_all_objects(ImageGroups, ImageGroups.parent_id == parent_group_id)
-        image_groups.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda group_object: group_object.group_name)
+        image_groups.sort(key=lambda group_object: get_locale_key(group_object.group_name))
         for image_group in image_groups:
             combobox.addItem(prefix + image_group.group_name, image_group.id)
             self.fill_groups_combobox(combobox, image_group.id, prefix + '   ')
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ class ImageMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
             self.expand_group(open_group.id)
         # Sort the images by its filename considering language specific
         # characters.
-        images.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda image_object: os.path.split(unicode(image_object.filename))[1])
+        images.sort(key=lambda image_object: get_locale_key(os.path.split(unicode(image_object.filename))[1]))
         for imageFile in images:
             log.debug(u'Loading image: %s', imageFile.filename)
             filename = os.path.split(imageFile.filename)[1]
@@ -525,9 +525,9 @@ class ImageMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
                 group_items.append(item)
             if isinstance(item.data(0, QtCore.Qt.UserRole), ImageFilenames):
                 image_items.append(item)
-        group_items.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda item: item.text(0))
+        group_items.sort(key=lambda item: get_locale_key(item.text(0)))
         target_group.addChildren(group_items)
-        image_items.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda item: item.text(0))
+        image_items.sort(key=lambda item: get_locale_key(item.text(0)))
         target_group.addChildren(image_items)
 
     def generate_slide_data(self, service_item, item=None, xmlVersion=False,
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/media/lib/mediaitem.py b/openlp/plugins/media/lib/mediaitem.py
index 57bc6947b..7d492bc69 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/media/lib/mediaitem.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/media/lib/mediaitem.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ from openlp.core.lib import ItemCapabilities, MediaManagerItem,MediaType, Regist
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import critical_error_message_box, create_horizontal_adjusting_combo_box
 from openlp.core.ui import DisplayController, Display, DisplayControllerType
 from openlp.core.ui.media import get_media_players, set_media_players
-from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, locale_compare
+from openlp.core.utils import AppLocation, get_locale_key
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ class MediaMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
     def load_list(self, media, target_group=None):
         # Sort the media by its filename considering language specific
         # characters.
-        media.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda filename: os.path.split(unicode(filename))[1])
+        media.sort(key=lambda filename: get_locale_key(os.path.split(unicode(filename))[1]))
         for track in media:
             track_info = QtCore.QFileInfo(track)
             if not os.path.exists(track):
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ class MediaMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
 
     def getList(self, type=MediaType.Audio):
         media = Settings().value(self.settings_section + u'/media files')
-        media.sort(cmp=locale_compare, key=lambda filename: os.path.split(unicode(filename))[1])
+        media.sort(key=lambda filename: get_locale_key(os.path.split(unicode(filename))[1]))
         ext = []
         if type == MediaType.Audio:
             ext = self.media_controller.audio_extensions_list
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/presentations/lib/mediaitem.py b/openlp/plugins/presentations/lib/mediaitem.py
index f92562541..52dcd891f 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/presentations/lib/mediaitem.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/presentations/lib/mediaitem.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 from openlp.core.lib import MediaManagerItem, Registry, ItemCapabilities, ServiceItemContext, Settings, UiStrings, \
     build_icon, check_item_selected, create_thumb, translate, validate_thumb
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import critical_error_message_box, create_horizontal_adjusting_combo_box
-from openlp.core.utils import locale_compare
+from openlp.core.utils import get_locale_key
 from openlp.plugins.presentations.lib import MessageListener
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -153,8 +153,7 @@ class PresentationMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
         if not initialLoad:
             self.main_window.display_progress_bar(len(files))
         # Sort the presentations by its filename considering language specific characters.
-        files.sort(cmp=locale_compare,
-            key=lambda filename: os.path.split(unicode(filename))[1])
+        files.sort(key=lambda filename: get_locale_key(os.path.split(unicode(filename))[1]))
         for file in files:
             if not initialLoad:
                 self.main_window.increment_progress_bar()
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/songexportform.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/songexportform.py
index 79f21a454..f0554f588 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/songexportform.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/forms/songexportform.py
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 from openlp.core.lib import Registry, UiStrings, create_separated_list, build_icon, translate
 from openlp.core.lib.ui import critical_error_message_box
 from openlp.core.ui.wizard import OpenLPWizard, WizardStrings
-from openlp.plugins.songs.lib import natcmp
 from openlp.plugins.songs.lib.db import Song
 from openlp.plugins.songs.lib.openlyricsexport import OpenLyricsExport
 
@@ -222,7 +221,7 @@ class SongExportForm(OpenLPWizard):
         # Load the list of songs.
         self.application.set_busy_cursor()
         songs = self.plugin.manager.get_all_objects(Song)
-        songs.sort(cmp=natcmp, key=lambda song: song.sort_key)
+        songs.sort(key=lambda song: song.sort_key)
         for song in songs:
             # No need to export temporary songs.
             if song.temporary:
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py
index 6a79a825d..d3005c9b2 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ import re
 from PyQt4 import QtGui
 
 from openlp.core.lib import translate
-from openlp.core.utils import CONTROL_CHARS, locale_direct_compare
+from openlp.core.utils import CONTROL_CHARS
 from db import Author
 from ui import SongStrings
 
@@ -593,37 +593,3 @@ def strip_rtf(text, default_encoding=None):
     text = u''.join(out)
     return text, default_encoding
 
-
-def natcmp(a, b):
-    """
-    Natural string comparison which mimics the behaviour of Python's internal cmp function.
-    """
-    if len(a) <= len(b):
-        for i, key in enumerate(a):
-            if isinstance(key, int) and isinstance(b[i], int):
-                result = cmp(key, b[i])
-            elif isinstance(key, int) and not isinstance(b[i], int):
-                result = locale_direct_compare(str(key), b[i])
-            elif not isinstance(key, int) and isinstance(b[i], int):
-                result = locale_direct_compare(key, str(b[i]))
-            else:
-                result = locale_direct_compare(key, b[i])
-            if result != 0:
-                return result
-        if len(a) == len(b):
-            return 0
-        else:
-            return -1
-    else:
-        for i, key in enumerate(b):
-            if isinstance(a[i], int) and isinstance(key, int):
-                result = cmp(a[i], key)
-            elif isinstance(a[i], int) and not isinstance(key, int):
-                result = locale_direct_compare(str(a[i]), key)
-            elif not isinstance(a[i], int) and isinstance(key, int):
-                result = locale_direct_compare(a[i], str(key))
-            else:
-                result = locale_direct_compare(a[i], key)
-            if result != 0:
-                return result
-        return 1
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/db.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/db.py
index db5f59357..015caa87d 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/db.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/db.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ from sqlalchemy.orm import mapper, relation, reconstructor
 from sqlalchemy.sql.expression import func
 
 from openlp.core.lib.db import BaseModel, init_db
+from openlp.core.utils import get_natural_key
 
 
 class Author(BaseModel):
@@ -69,36 +70,15 @@ class Song(BaseModel):
     def __init__(self):
         self.sort_key = ()
 
-    def _try_int(self, s):
-        """
-        Convert to integer if possible.
-        """
-        try:
-            return int(s)
-        except:
-            return s.lower()
-
-    def _natsort_key(self, s):
-        """
-        Used internally to get a tuple by which s is sorted.
-        """
-        return map(self._try_int, re.findall(r'(\d+|\D+)', s))
-
-    # This decorator tells sqlalchemy to call this method everytime
-    # any data on this object is updated.
-
     @reconstructor
     def init_on_load(self):
         """
-        Precompute a tuple to be used for sorting.
+        Precompute a natural sorting, locale aware sorting key.
 
         Song sorting is performance sensitive operation.
-        To get maximum speed lets precompute the string
-        used for comparison.
+        To get maximum speed lets precompute the sorting key.
         """
-        # Avoid the overhead of converting string to lowercase and to QString
-        # with every call to sort().
-        self.sort_key = self._natsort_key(self.title)
+        self.sort_key = get_natural_key(self.title)
 
 
 class Topic(BaseModel):
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/mediaitem.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/mediaitem.py
index 0c4898fd9..d75124d84 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/mediaitem.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/mediaitem.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ from openlp.plugins.songs.forms.editsongform import EditSongForm
 from openlp.plugins.songs.forms.songmaintenanceform import SongMaintenanceForm
 from openlp.plugins.songs.forms.songimportform import SongImportForm
 from openlp.plugins.songs.forms.songexportform import SongExportForm
-from openlp.plugins.songs.lib import VerseType, clean_string, natcmp
+from openlp.plugins.songs.lib import VerseType, clean_string
 from openlp.plugins.songs.lib.db import Author, Song, Book, MediaFile
 from openlp.plugins.songs.lib.ui import SongStrings
 from openlp.plugins.songs.lib.xml import OpenLyrics, SongXML
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ class SongMediaItem(MediaManagerItem):
         log.debug(u'display results Song')
         self.save_auto_select_id()
         self.list_view.clear()
-        searchresults.sort(cmp=natcmp, key=lambda song: song.sort_key)
+        searchresults.sort(key=lambda song: song.sort_key)
         for song in searchresults:
             # Do not display temporary songs
             if song.temporary:
diff --git a/scripts/check_dependencies.py b/scripts/check_dependencies.py
index 3d04e6661..faa02fada 100755
--- a/scripts/check_dependencies.py
+++ b/scripts/check_dependencies.py
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ MODULES = [
     'cherrypy',
     'migrate',
     'uno',
+    'icu',
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/tests/functional/openlp_core_utils/test_utils.py b/tests/functional/openlp_core_utils/test_utils.py
index 2e826bc61..b9decb37e 100644
--- a/tests/functional/openlp_core_utils/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/functional/openlp_core_utils/test_utils.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from unittest import TestCase
 
 from mock import patch
 
-from openlp.core.utils import get_filesystem_encoding, _get_frozen_path
+from openlp.core.utils import get_filesystem_encoding, _get_frozen_path, get_locale_key, get_natural_key
 
 class TestUtils(TestCase):
     """
@@ -56,3 +56,30 @@ class TestUtils(TestCase):
             # THEN: The frozen parameter is returned
             assert _get_frozen_path(u'frozen', u'not frozen') == u'frozen', u'Should return "frozen"'
 
+    def get_locale_key_test(self):
+        """
+        Test the get_locale_key(string) function
+        """
+        with patch(u'openlp.core.utils.languagemanager.LanguageManager.get_language') as mocked_get_language:
+            # GIVEN: The language is German
+            # 0x00C3 (A with diaresis) should be sorted as "A". 0x00DF (sharp s) should be sorted as "ss".
+            mocked_get_language.return_value = u'de'
+            unsorted_list = [u'Auszug', u'Aushang', u'\u00C4u\u00DFerung']
+            # WHEN: We sort the list and use get_locale_key() to generate the sorting keys
+            # THEN: We get a properly sorted list
+            test_passes = sorted(unsorted_list, key=get_locale_key) == [u'Aushang', u'\u00C4u\u00DFerung', u'Auszug']
+            assert test_passes, u'Strings should be sorted properly'
+
+    def get_natural_key_test(self):
+        """
+        Test the get_natural_key(string) function
+        """
+        with patch(u'openlp.core.utils.languagemanager.LanguageManager.get_language') as mocked_get_language:
+            # GIVEN: The language is English (a language, which sorts digits before letters)
+            mocked_get_language.return_value = u'en'
+            unsorted_list = [u'item 10a', u'item 3b', u'1st item']
+            # WHEN: We sort the list and use get_natural_key() to generate the sorting keys
+            # THEN: We get a properly sorted list
+            test_passes = sorted(unsorted_list, key=get_natural_key) == [u'1st item', u'item 3b', u'item 10a']
+            assert test_passes, u'Numbers should be sorted naturally'
+