The choice of languages is a feature that was introduced in weekly snapshot 11w49a and officially released in Minecraft 1.1. The language menu is accessible via a new button in the main menu to the left of the options button, and from the options menu.
Previously, language packs were needed in order to change the in game language. Language packs are obsolete, due to the official implementation of other languages. If you wish to use language packs on 1.0.0 and earlier, Visit this link on the Minecraft Forums for a comprehensive language packs guide.
Unknown (probably because Austrian German mostly equals standard German)
Español (La)
Latino-American Spanish
South America
11w49a (1.1.0)
12w01a (1.1.0)
Replaced by Argentinian, Venezuelan and Uruguayan Spanish translations.
Bugs & Inaccuracy
Some languages use Unicode fonts when they should not (example: Spanish doesn't, but French does, but it could perfectly use the standard font as it contains all french characters).
Arabic is written with connected letters, but the letters do not connect (e.g. "اللغة العربية" is written like "ا ل ل غ ة ا ل ع ر ب ي ة") in the translations
If you choose Spanish (MX), Clicking Options, then Controls will crash the game. You must delete your options.txt or else the crashing will continue.
If you look at Greek it reads Αγγλικά (GR), which means English(Greece). It should say ελληνικά (EL), which means Greek (Greece). This is fixed in 1.3.
In some languages, the text is too long and overfills the button it is written on.
Splash texts are not translated and therefore will show up in English.
In Canadian English, the "Benchmarking" achievement description were bugged. Also, Gray and Light Gray Wool spelled the word "Grey (English spelling)", but the dye spelled it "Gray".
Power and punch enchantments on bows had the name of the similar sword enchantment when using Canadian English.
Many Turkish translations contain obscenities, which were contributed by trolls.
There are some critical mistakes in some of the aTranslations, like Hebrew.
The UK English and Canadian English use the other languages code (i.e, Name = Canadian English, Language code = en_GB and vice versa).
In Pirate, the "Industrious now, aren't we?" (Make a crafting table) achievement had a 'n' on the end.
Hebrew is titled as "אנגלית" (English). It should be "עברית" (Hebrew).
UK English spelled 'Connection lost' as 'Connextion lost'
In 12w05b When saving the world the "saving chunks" will show up (tested Chinese "both versions" and in Vietnamese)
In the Canadian English translation in snapshot 12w06a, some items names were tampered with. Examples include: Snowball (Weapon of Mass Destruction); Diamond Boots, ay; and Snow block (Igloo material).
Serbian translation mixes Cyrillic and Latin
In the Serbian translation Obsidian is spelled wrong: Obsidijan instead of Opsidijan
The "inventory" text says "inventory, eh" in Canadian English and the "Delicious Fish"achievement says 'slammin salmon.'
After changing language to Korean, and changing back to English, the Korean words for 'A.M.' and 'P.M.' remain Korean (although you changed back into English) on the Select World Screen. They still remain Korean even after you restart Minecraft.
In Quenya, Clay, Pumpkins, Jack o' Lanterns, TNT, Milk, Magma Cream, Glistening Melons, Cauldrons, Brewing Stands, Cookies, Pumpkin Seeds, and Dispensers are all in English. Also, Clay Balls are called Clay, also in English.
Before 1.2.3, Turkish was including trolls (For Example: OFF OFF KÖMÜR GİBİ YANIYORUM! (Oof Oof I am burning like coal (it is a part of a song)) and curses.
The Japanese translation for "Potion of Harming" has a "n" in the front.
Arabic characters are seperated,even if in the .txt file the characters are unseperated.
In Czech, Wooden hoe should be called "Dřevěná motyka" not "Dřevěnná motyka"
In Romanian, 'Fire Charge' sticks with the English name.
In Finnish, base potions use the word "Taikajuoma" (Potion) twice.
In French (CA), The yellow flower should be called "Pissenlit" and the red one, "Rose". End Stone should be "Pierre de la Fin" and Pressure Plate, "Détecteur de Poids". Mushroom Stew should be "Ragoût de Champignons" and Minecart, "Chariot de Mine". Boat should be called "Bateau" and The Chicken Spawn Egg should be "Oeuf de Poulet".
Please note, some items have been moved here due to the dirty words, only open if you are mature enough!
Swearing/inappropriate translations
* In 12w04a, the Afrikaans singleplayer button said "You are a NIGGER". Jeb has apologised for not reviewing the submissions since.
*In Quenya, the translation for lever was "Mechanic Penis".[1]
* In 12w05b the Serbian translation for the Bottle o' Enchanting was "Boca sa kurcem" which means a Dick (Penis) in a bottle.
* In Turkish, the achievement "Use a book, obsidian and diamonds to construct an enchantment table" is translated as "Bir kitap, obsidyen ve elması bir büyüleme masası oluşturmak için kullan" which is basically: "A penis, a vagina and a spell were used to create a table."[2]
Trivia
Minecraft is available in three constructed languages : Klingon (Klingon language from Star Trek), Pirate (Internet language) and Quenya (Elvish language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien ).
When using Pirate Speak, golden boots used to be called Buttershoes, a possible nod to YouTube gaming commentator Seananners, because that's what he called them when he got them. This was removed sometime before the 1.2 Preview.
In the Canadian English translation in snapshot 12w07a/12w07b, Multiplayer was replaced with "Go Camping with your Buddies, Eh?"
In 12w17a the Canadian English translation for "Language translations may not be 100% accurate" is "The dark secret about the creation of minecraft will be revealed".