Minecraft Translation Basics Guide
What is Minecraft Translation?
Most Minecraft mods and modpacks are created in English. Translation (localization) converts these English texts into other languages so that non-English speakers can enjoy the game more comfortably.
Translation targets include item names, item descriptions (tooltips), quest content, UI text, achievements, and guidebook content. Depending on the modpack, there can be thousands to tens of thousands of text entries.
Translation File Structure
Minecraft translations are provided in two main forms.
Resource Pack
A resource pack containing mod language files (.json). Applied through the game's Resource Packs menu, it handles basic mod translations such as item names, tooltips, and UI text. This is the safest translation method as it doesn't modify game files directly.
Override File
Translates content that cannot be translated through resource packs, such as quests (FTB Quests, Better Questing, etc.), KubeJS scripts, and config files. Applied by directly overwriting files in the modpack folder, so backup before applying is recommended.
Translation Methods
Manual Translation
A translator manually reads and translates the text. This produces high-quality results with accurate context understanding, but takes more time. Particularly suitable for quests and story content.
AI Translation
Automatic translation using large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 and Claude. Can translate large volumes of text quickly, and consistency can be improved by using a glossary. The Minecraft Translation Center desktop tool makes AI translation convenient.
How to Participate
1. Install the Desktop Translation Tool
Download the Minecraft Translation Tool from GitHub. This tool automatically extracts modpack text, performs AI translation, and packages the results as a resource pack.
2. Select and Translate a Modpack
Choose a modpack to translate and use the translation tool to extract text. You can use AI translation or manually edit translation files.
3. Upload Your Translation
Upload the completed translation files to the Minecraft Translation Center. After logging in with your Discord account, submit files on the upload page. They will be published after admin review.
4. Community Feedback
Other users download translations and leave reviews. Use feedback to improve your translations and work together with the community to create better translations.