def dummy_ngettext(singular, plural, n):
    """
    Mimic ``ngettext()`` function. This is a passthrough function with the
    same signature as ``ngettext()``. It can be used to simulate translation
    for applications that are untranslated, without the overhead of calling the
    real ``ngettext()``.

    This function returns the verbatim singular message if ``n`` is 1,
    otherwise the verbatim plural message.

    :param singular:    singular message string
    :param plural:      plural message string
    :param n:           count
    :returns:           unmodified singular or plural message
    """
    if n == 1:
        return singular
    return plural
