var dictionary = {
    translations: Array(),
    initialize: function() 
    {
        this.translations = Array();
    },
    addTranslation: function(key, val)
    {
        this.translations[key] = val;
    },
    getTranslation: function(key)
    {
        if(typeof(this.translations[key]) !== 'undefined') {   
            return encodeHTML(this.translations[key]);
        }
        else {
            return key;
        }
    }
};

function encodeHTML (str)
{
    return $('<div>' + str + '</div>').html();
};

function decodeHTML (str)
{
    return $('<div>' + str + '</div>').text();
};

// translation function
function _(key) {
    return dictionary.getTranslation(key);
}