charset_collate

// Suggested new method on $wpdb


/**
 * The database character collate.
 *
 * @uses $wpdb
 *
 * @return string The database character collate.
 **/
public function charset_collate() {
    global $wpdb, $wp_queries;
    if ( ! empty($wpdb->charset) )
        $charset_collate = "DEFAULT CHARACTER SET $wpdb->charset";
    if ( ! empty($wpdb->collate) )
        $charset_collate .= " COLLATE $wpdb->collate";
    return $charset_collate;
}