Using Variable in WordPress Translate Functions

Question

From everything I've read, you should only translate text strings via the WP translation functions like _e() or __(). However, I need a way to translate content submitted via a form. Is there some solution that will allow me to translate text outputted in a variable? Here's what I'm doing:

I'm working on a plugin for a company and they need the ability to set the description text for a checkbox via a form on the back end. The checkbox will be placed on a WooCommerce checkout page. They're using the WPML plugin, and want that text to be translatable. Here's what I naturally would want to do, but I know it's wrong:

woocommerce_form_field( 'my_checkbox', array(
     'type'     => 'checkbox',
     'class'    => array('input-checkbox'),
     'label'    => __( $sample_variable , 'woothemes'), 
     'required' => false,
    ),

Here's what I think I should do, but it doesn't seem to work:

woocommerce_form_field( 'my_checkbox', array(
     'type'     => 'checkbox',
     'class'    => array('input-checkbox'),
     'label'    => sprintf( __('%s', 'woothemes'), $mpo_check_box_desc ), 
     'required' => false,
    ),

Any help would be much appreciated, thank you!

Answer 1

You cannot translate text you don’t know. The translator must know the text before it was submitted – impossible.

The only solution is: add all language strings manually for each sub site.