
LiveTranslator
Free real-time translator for in-game chat — local translation.
About this Mod
LiveTranslator
Free real-time translator for in-game chat — local translation.
Features
- Translate chat messages in real-time.
- Configurable translation behavior via in-game commands.
- Supports multiple languages.
- Supports Forge and Fabric.
- Free. No need for api-key, as the translator runs locally.
Prerequisites
- Minecraft Java Edition
- Mod loader (Fabric or Forge)
- Python >= 3.8.x
- Download Python
- By default, LiveTranslator uses python from your system PATH, can be configured.
Mod Dependencies
- Fabric
- Fabric API (required)
- Forge
- None
Installation and Setup
- Place the jar file into your
modsfolder. - Launch Minecraft with Forge/Fabric.
- How to test it out in-game:
/livetranslator on(This will set up the environment for the translator, download the translation model (~470 MB), and turn on the translator.)- type
@de Good morning! - What you see in chat:
[de] <Player> Good morning! - When you hover over the text:
Guten Morgen! - What others see:
<Player> Guten Morgen!
Configuration
Configuration file created at: config/livetranslator/livetranslator.yaml
You can configure:
- Python executable path
- Internal server port
- Model storage location
- Auto-start behavior
Changes require restarting Minecraft.
Local vs Cloud Translation
LiveTranslator uses local translation, meaning translations run directly on your computer instead of being sent to an online service.
| Mode | Cost | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Local (LiveTranslator) | Free | Requires a ~470 MB model and uses your CPU and RAM |
| Cloud (e.g. Google Translate, DeepL, OpenAI) | Free (rate-limited) or paid | Usage limits apply unless you pay |
Client vs Server Installation
LiveTranslator behaves differently depending on where it is installed.
| Installed on | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Client only | Translations are handled locally for that player. Incoming and outgoing chat messages can be translated without requiring the mod on the server. |
| Server only | Players can register their preferred language and enable translation for themselves. The server then translates all chat messages into each player’s selected language. |
| Client + Server | Supported. Client-side and server-side translation operate independently. Players may use either the client translator or the server translator. (Enabling both will result in duplicate translations.) |
Commands
Client-side Commands
Base Command
/livetranslator # Displays the current status of the translator.
/ltc # Alias for /livetranslator (as in livetranslator client)
/ltc on # Turns the translator on
/ltc off # Turns the translator off
Incoming Translation (messages you receive)
/ltc incomingTranslation # Show incoming translation status
/ltc incomingTranslation on # Enable incoming translation
/ltc incomingTranslation off # Disable incoming translation
/ltc incomingTranslation setLanguage <lang> # Set target language (e.g., en, es)
Outgoing Translation (messages you send)
/ltc outgoingTranslation # Show outgoing translation status
/ltc outgoingTranslation on # Enable outgoing translation
/ltc outgoingTranslation off # Disable outgoing translation
/ltc outgoingTranslation setLanguage <lang> # Set target language
/ltc outgoingTranslation useIncomingTranslationLanguageAsSource on # Use incoming language as source
/ltc outgoingTranslation useIncomingTranslationLanguageAsSource off # Auto-detect source language
/ltc outgoingTranslation shortcut on|off # Example, type "@de Good monring!" -> gets translated to German
Model
/ltc model # Shows you the available models, the current model is blue
/ltc model switch <model> # Switch to another model (currently there is only 1 model)
Server-side Commands
Base Command
/livetranslatorserver # Shows translator status, and player-specific settings
/lts # alias for /livetranslatorserver
Translator (Global)
/lts translator # Shows translator status
/lts translator on # Turns on the translator (Admin only)
/lts translator off # Turns off the translator (Admin only)
Player-specific Settings
/lts language # Shows the player's language
/lts language <lang> # Sets the target language for the player
/lts enable # Enables translations for the player
/lts disable # Disabled translations for the player
Translation Model
LiveTranslator uses a quantized m2m100_418M model (int8) developed by facebook.
- The model supports many languages (over 100+).
- It is downloaded automatically the first time you enable the translator.
- The download size is approximately 470 MB.
- The model is stored locally on your system, at (can be configured):
- Windows: %USERPROFILE%.local\share\minecraft_livetranslator_mod
- Mac/Linux: ~/.local/share/minecraft_livetranslator_mod
Roadmap
- Feature, to translate previous messages, if translator was off
- Add version number in-game
- Add command to manually translate text
- Add lang suggestion to server
- Make lang suggestion translator model specific
- Show original text, if target lang is the same as source lang
- Add option to disable UX features, such as
- [lang] prefix
- original text added on hover
- Feature, to manually translate messages, by clicking on msg in chat?
- Feature, to show original msg by clicking in chat?
Known issues
- When a text is translated, the detected source language may be inaccurate.
- Single player count as both client and server, so when using server side commands, it can be buggy.
Uninstalling
- Delete the mod jar.
- Delete the mod folder in config/livetranslator
- Delete the model, (by default) in a shared folder:
- Windows: %USERPROFILE%.local\share\minecraft_livetranslator_mod
- Mac/Linux: ~/.local/share/minecraft_livetranslator_mod
Disclaimer
This mod is provided "as-is" without any warranty of any kind.
By using this mod, you agree that the author(s) are not responsible for any damages, data loss, misuse, or unintended consequences that may arise from its use.
This project is not affiliated with Mojang, Microsoft, or Meta AI.
Available Versions
How to Install LiveTranslator on Your Server
Order Server
Order a Minecraft Java server with at least 3 GB RAM (4 GB recommended).
Set fabric Loader
In the panel under "Egg", select the fabric loader and matching Minecraft version (26.1.2).
Install Mod
Open the mod browser in the dashboard and search for "LiveTranslator". Click "Install" – done! Alternatively, upload the .jar via SFTP to the /mods folder.
Compatibility
Mod Loaders
Minecraft Versions
26.1.2, 26.1.1, 26.1 (+13 more)
Server-side
~ OptionalRecommended RAM
4 GB(min. 3 GB)Frequently Asked Questions
LiveTranslator server crashes on startup – what to do?
Most common cause: wrong fabric version or insufficient RAM. Check the server log (latest.log) for "OutOfMemoryError" or "Mixin" errors. With Mado Hosting: ensure at least 3 GB RAM is allocated and the loader matches the mod version (26.1.2). You can switch loaders with one click in the panel.
Is LiveTranslator compatible with fabric and forge?
LiveTranslator officially supports fabric, forge for Minecraft 26.1.2, 26.1.1, 26.1. Note: Forge and Fabric mods are NOT cross-compatible – pick one loader and stick with it. The Mado dashboard automatically detects incompatible loader combinations.
Server lagging with LiveTranslator – how to optimize performance?
Recommended RAM: 4 GB (per 8 players). Use /spark profiler to check if LiveTranslator consumes the most tick time. Common fixes: reduce server view-distance to 8-10, install "performant" or "starlight" as supplementary mods on Forge. With Mado Hosting, your server runs on NVMe SSDs with dedicated CPU cores for minimal latency.
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