if (typeof $Lang == "undefined") var $Lang = {

    /*
     * call this function like this:
     * $Lang.tr('Hey, @name, how are you?' {'@name', 'Superman'})
     */
    tr: function(txt, placeholders) {
        if (placeholders) {
            for (x in placeholders) {
                txt = txt.replace(x, placeholders[x]);
            }
        }
        return txt;
    },

    /*
     * this one will just wrap the variable with <i>
     * sample call:
     * $Lang.tr('Hey, @name, how are you?' {'@name', $Lang.i('Superman')})
     */
    i: function(t) {
        return '<i>' + t + '</i>';
    },

    /*
     * same as $Lang.i, but wrapping with <b>
     */
    b: function(t) {
        return '<b>' + t + '</b>';
    }
}