diff --git a/src/wp-includes/category-functions.php b/src/wp-includes/category-functions.php
index 325264b3ca..905aa928c1 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/category-functions.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/category-functions.php
@@ -39,7 +39,13 @@ function get_categories( $args = '' ) {
 
 	// Back compat
 	if ( isset($args['type']) && 'link' == $args['type'] ) {
-		_deprecated_argument( __FUNCTION__, '3.0', '' );
+		/* translators: 1: "type => link", 2: "taxonomy => link_category" alternative */
+		_deprecated_argument( __FUNCTION__, '3.0',
+			sprintf( __( '%1$s is deprecated. Use %2$s instead.' ),
+				'<code>type => link</code>',
+				'<code>taxonomy => link_category</code>'
+			)
+		);
 		$taxonomy = $args['taxonomy'] = 'link_category';
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/wp-includes/category-template.php b/src/wp-includes/category-template.php
index 471def6c17..387e84e9aa 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/category-template.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/category-template.php
@@ -373,7 +373,13 @@ function wp_dropdown_categories( $args = '' ) {
 
 	// Back compat.
 	if ( isset( $args['type'] ) && 'link' == $args['type'] ) {
-		_deprecated_argument( __FUNCTION__, '3.0', '' );
+		/* translators: 1: "type => link", 2: "taxonomy => link_category" alternative */
+		_deprecated_argument( __FUNCTION__, '3.0',
+			sprintf( __( '%1$s is deprecated. Use %2$s instead.' ),
+				'<code>type => link</code>',
+				'<code>taxonomy => link_category</code>'
+			)
+		);
 		$args['taxonomy'] = 'link_category';
 	}