How to avoid output formatting with translated strings?

[bmacnaughton]

I am using the translation function (either $this->_() or __()) within a module that responds to AJAX API calls - there isn't really a page that is being served.

When I supply a string with an apostrophe, e.g.,

__('Book \'em danno')

It is formatted as

Book 'em danno

 

Is there some way to prevent output formatting when retrieving strings using the translation functions?