Length was stored as a 16-bit number always. Most translations have
a max length far less. For example, US English translation lengths
always fit in just 8 bits. probably all languages fit in 9 bits.
This also has the side effect of reducing the alignment of
compressed_string_t from 2 bytes to 1.
testing performed: ran in german and english on pyruler, printed messages
looked right.
Firmware size, en_US
Before: 3044 bytes free in flash
After: 3408 bytes free in flash
Firmware size, de_DE (with #2967 merged to restore translations)
Before: 1236 bytes free in flash
After: 1600 bytes free in flash