Polyglot
by ludwici
Polyglot lets translation files for installed mods be kept in a separate folder, so they survive mod updates without editing the jar.
What it does
Translations normally sit inside a mod's jar file, and a mod update overwrites any change made there. Polyglot moves those translation files to a folder of their own, created in the root of the game folder, where translations are stored independently of the mod that uses them. Because the translation is kept apart from the jar, a player no longer has to edit the jar or redo the work after each update.
The mod was made after a translation community began sending the author translations for other languages, and the author had no simple way to ship them without changing the mod. Polyglot also covers text the original author hardcoded, so it can translate item tooltips where the usual translation path does not reach. Files are published for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge, all for Minecraft 1.20.1, and the mod is client-side only, so servers do not need it. The code is released under the MIT License and is not open source.
Key features
Separate translation folder
Translation files are moved to a folder in the root of the game directory, away from the mod jar files.
Survives mod updates
Because translations are kept apart, a mod update does not overwrite them and no manual jar editing is needed.
Translates hardcoded text
Text that a mod author wrote directly into code, such as item tooltips, can be translated through the translation files.
Added translation lines
New lines can be added to a translation file in the required format, so missing strings for a mod can be filled in.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players who use non-English languages with several mods, and translators who work on mods whose original authors have not added their language.
How it compares
LangSplit is open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 only, with files for 1.18.2 – 1.20.1 on Fabric and Forge. Simple Translation is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, published for Fabric and Forge at 1.16.5. VM Translation Utility is open source under the MIT License and covers 1.12.2 – 26.3 on Fabric, Forge and NeoForge. Polyglot is not open source, and it targets only 1.20.1 on the same three loaders.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyglot | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.20.1 | Client-side only | 2025-07-05 |
| LangSplit | Fabric and Forge | 1.18.2 – 1.20.1 | Client-side only | 2023-10-21 |
| Simple Translation | Fabric and Forge | 1.16.5 | Client-side only | 2021-08-30 |
| VM Translation Utility | Fabric, Forge and NeoForge | 1.12.2 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-10-07 |
Questions
Which loaders does Polyglot support?
Does Polyglot need to be installed on the server?
Will translations be lost after a mod update?
In the catalog
Polyglot is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 34,764 mods support Minecraft 1.20.1.
More from ludwici
Similar mods
What the author says
Minecraft has a handy feature to support mods in different languages. However, there are a few problems that this mod should solve. Problem: The author released a mod, and the community started sending the author translations in other languages. However, for some reason the author does not make changes to the mod…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/polyglot
- Owner
- ludwici
- Published
- 2025-06-10
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-07-05
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15