let translate u printf_format str plural_form =
      try
        let plural_number = 
          u.fun_plural_forms (
            match plural_form with
              Some(_,x) -> x
              | None -> 0
          )
        in
        let check =
          if printf_format then
            check_format u.failsafe
          else
            fun x -> x
        in
        get_translated_value u.failsafe (check (Hashtbl.find u.hashtbl str)) plural_number
      with Not_found ->
        fail_or_continue u.failsafe
        (TranslateStringNotFound str)
        (Dummy.translate u.dummy printf_format str plural_form)