Are i18n frameworks the new todo apps?!?

Following #i18n on twitter for a few weeks now I saw a steady stream of new i18n frameworks rising. Out of curiosity I took the time to make a quick lookup:

Over 300 packages found.

  • So where does the motivation come to write your own i18n framework and even publish that on npm?
  • Why write your own — why not contribute to an existing?
  • Why every UI framework needs it’s own i18n implementation — why do I have to relearn localization on every framework?
  • Why call your i18n framework ‘simple-i18n’, ‘easy-i18n’, ‘yetanother-i18n’ or ‘wrappedAnotherI18nFramework-i18n’?

I see some semi-valid reasons:

So the incomplete list ends with (in alphabetical order):

https://github.com/accetone/mutant-ng-translate
https://github.com/act2/i18n-simple
https://github.com/acyortjs/acyort-i18n
https://github.com/agilebits/t-i18n
https://github.com/airbnb/polyglot.js
https://github.com/ajoslin/nanotranslate
https://github.com/akoenig/express-lingua
https://github.com/alexanderwallin/node-gettext
https://github.com/alexdrel/i18n-react
https://github.com/AlexJozwicki/react-intl-es6
https://github.com/alibaba/react-intl-universal
https://github.com/AlternativaPlatform/react-redux-localization
https://github.com/amily4555/ngx-i18n
https://github.com/any-code/riot-i18n
https://github.com/APSL/redux-i18n
https://github.com/arendtio/simple-intl
https://github.com/artisavotins/react-redux-i18n
https://github.com/aspectron/iris-i18n
https://github.com/atmajs/i18n
https://github.com/auchenberg/express-gettext
https://github.com/aumerhadi/basic-i18n
https://github.com/Automattic/i18n-calypso
https://github.com/automattic/xgettext-js
https://github.com/Bablic/bablic-node
https://github.com/Bacra/node-i18nc-core
https://github.com/basarevych/arpen-i18n
https://github.com/beamworks/react-lingo
https://github.com/benbria/react-i18n-wrapper
https://github.com/beyo/i18n
https://github.com/bholloway/react-i18n-interpolation
https://github.com/bigeasy/synonymous
https://github.com/bitjson/s18n
https://github.com/blacktangent/react-i18n
https://github.com/Bloomca/js-translate
https://github.com/bolasblack/hubot-i18n
https://github.com/bullhorn/chomsky
https://github.com/buntarb/zz.i18n
https://github.com/burawi/express-polygot
https://github.com/burawi/tns-i18n
https://github.com/c-3po-org/c-3po
https://github.com/cangosta/l10n.js
https://github.com/ccqgithub/i18n-s
https://github.com/CherryProjects/translate-maker
https://github.com/Chialab/i18n-js
https://github.com/chrisenytc/livi18n-parser
https://github.com/cloakjs/cloak.i18n
https://github.com/CodeCorico/allons-y-i18n
https://github.com/coderifous/jquery-localize
https://github.com/CommanderXL/di18n-translate
https://github.com/congnt24/node_mutilanguage
https://github.com/covisint/cui-i18n
https://github.com/creativelive/rind-i18n
https://github.com/Creeplays/ez-i18n
https://github.com/Cropster/ember-l10n
https://github.com/cutsin/template-string-i18n
https://github.com/danielgindi/js-i18n
https://github.com/dasilvacontin/mustache-i18n
https://github.com/dbtek/ipret
https://github.com/DDKnoll/i18n-browser
https://github.com/DeedMob/react-local-translations
https://github.com/deepstreamIO/babelbox
https://github.com/demohi/egg-i18n
https://github.com/deNULL/T.js
https://github.com/derzunov/translator
https://github.com/devonanderson/locality
https://github.com/dkfbasel/vuex-i18n
https://github.com/dojo/i18n
https://github.com/doot0/transgator
https://github.com/doup/metalsmith-i18n
https://github.com/download/preact-i18nline
https://github.com/draggable/mi18n
https://github.com/drd/jsxlate
https://github.com/dt-fe/intl-format
https://github.com/ekaitz-zarraga/i18n_yaml
https://github.com/ekawatani/i18npack
https://github.com/Elzair/carpathia.js
https://github.com/emartech/angular-translate
https://github.com/ember-intl/ember-intl
https://github.com/emdc/bitte
https://github.com/ErrorPro/react-translator
https://github.com/eslam-mahmoud/i18n-nodejs
https://github.com/ewancoder/angular-localization
https://github.com/expalmer/i18n-tiny
https://github.com/eyolas/ng2-intl
https://github.com/ezakto/react-intlstrings
https://github.com/fabi1cazenave/webL10n
https://github.com/fiverr/i18n.js
https://github.com/FlamingoJS/flamingojs-i18n
https://github.com/flozz/stone.js
https://github.com/fnando/i18n-js
https://github.com/foreleven/co-i18n
https://github.com/format-message/format-message
https://github.com/fraczak/re-write-js
https://github.com/frontojs/localize
https://github.com/frostney/react-intl-rawformat
https://github.com/fs-webdev/strong
https://github.com/ftdebugger/agrest
https://github.com/GabrielGil/angular-chrome-i18n
https://github.com/Gandi/react-translate
https://github.com/Gerhardk/i18n-that-works
https://github.com/ggozad/underi18n
https://github.com/gianlucatursi/angular-translator
https://github.com/gjuchault/internationalizationjs
https://github.com/globalizejs/globalize
https://github.com/globalizejs/react-globalize
https://github.com/gomoob/i18n
https://github.com/grvcoelho/babelfish
https://github.com/haris44/Simple-i18n
https://github.com/heineiuo/react-web
https://github.com/HerrHase/node-simple-i18n
https://github.com/hexojs/hexo-i18n
https://github.com/hiddentao/i21n
https://github.com/i18next/i18next
https://github.com/IBM/node-i18n-utilities
https://github.com/iknow/mnoga
https://github.com/iLib-js/iLib
https://github.com/jamesarosen/ember-i18n
https://github.com/jamesknelson/derby-i18n
https://github.com/jamesreggio/react-native-l20n
https://github.com/jamestierney/redux-lang
https://github.com/janjarfalk/get-i18n
https://github.com/jenseng/i18nliner-js
https://github.com/jeresig/i18n-node-2
https://github.com/jlguenego/jlg-i18n
https://github.com/jnordberg/wintersmith-i18n
https://github.com/Jocs/jo-i18n
https://github.com/joda-project/joda-i18n
https://github.com/jquagliatini/Gnal.js
https://github.com/JSxMachina/react-i18nify
https://github.com/juliusgromyko/mio-i18n
https://github.com/kazupon/vue-i18n
https://github.com/keepitreal/jquery-i18n
https://github.com/keithamus/R.js
https://github.com/kersten/translate.me
https://github.com/KillerCodeMonkey/ng-easy-translate
https://github.com/koa-modules/i18n
https://github.com/koalazak/i18n-express
https://github.com/kolonist/node-i18n-x
https://github.com/Kubide/i18n-xlocale-header
https://github.com/kvdmolen/vue-lang
https://github.com/labithiotis/localez
https://github.com/larafale/node-i18n
https://github.com/lasso-js/lasso-i18n
https://github.com/Leeds-eBooks/roots-i18n
https://github.com/lennym/i18n-future
https://github.com/leungwensen/zero-locale
https://github.com/lexich/react-i18n-universal
https://github.com/lifelynl/lifely-react-i18n
https://github.com/lingui/js-lingui
https://github.com/listenrightmeow/restify-i18n
https://github.com/logie17/swig-i18n
https://github.com/lttb/module-i18n
https://github.com/luiz-simples/vanilla-i18n
https://github.com/marco-a/react-x18n
https://github.com/martianyi/webi18n
https://github.com/martinheidegger/i18n-core
https://github.com/mashpie/i18n-node
https://github.com/MatteoGabriele/vue-i18n-manager
https://github.com/MattyRad/vue-i18n
https://github.com/maxhoffmann/translations
https://github.com/medikoo/i18n2
https://github.com/megahertz/easy-translate
https://github.com/merajsahebdar/intl-i18n
https://github.com/Mercateo/ws-intl
https://github.com/milesbarr/express-translation
https://github.com/mocoolka/mocoolka-i18n
https://github.com/mohjs/moh-i18n
https://github.com/mouafa/malal
https://github.com/mozilla/i18n-abide
https://github.com/MT-Libraries/i18n-node-o
https://github.com/mWater/ez-localize
https://github.com/NascHQ/reactive-i18n
https://github.com/nathanfaucett/js-i18n
https://github.com/nayaabkhan/react-polyglot
https://github.com/neetjn/v-localize
https://github.com/nemophrost/y18n-browser
https://github.com/neocotic/int17
https://github.com/ngx-translate/core
https://github.com/nicklayb/react-easy-i18n
https://github.com/nodeca/babelfish
https://github.com/Nordgedanken/counterpart
https://github.com/noveogroup-amorgunov/localizify
https://github.com/Offirmo/i18n
https://github.com/oftn-oswg/oftn-l10n
https://github.com/ololoepepe/cute-localize
https://github.com/onatolich/mova
https://github.com/OneWayTech/i18n-static
https://github.com/opuscapita/i18n
https://github.com/origin1tech/lokales
https://github.com/owl1n/vue-translations
https://github.com/pesho/node-mini18n
https://github.com/pillarsjs/textualization
https://github.com/pretur/pretur
https://github.com/psirenny/derby-lang
https://github.com/pzavolinsky/baked-i18n
https://github.com/pzavolinsky/react-ghost-i18n
https://github.com/Qonfucius/nuxt-i18n
https://github.com/queicherius/react-globe
https://github.com/raphaelfjesus/i18n-js
https://github.com/ratson/react-intl-redux
https://github.com/raulhuelamo/keystone-i18n
https://github.com/rborn/nativescript-i18n
https://github.com/redbugz/express-intl
https://github.com/RestUI/react-i18n-polyglot
https://github.com/rico345100/simple-locale
https://github.com/robisim74/angular-l10n
https://github.com/roddeh/i18njs
https://github.com/rottmann/fluxxor-translation
https://github.com/RSamaium/Languages
https://github.com/rtymchyk/react-translations
https://github.com/rumkin/i18now
https://github.com/ryandrewjohnson/react-localize-redux
https://github.com/s-i18n/s-i18n-react
https://github.com/SaidTayebi/i18n-vuex
https://github.com/sailxjx/i18n-middleware
https://github.com/SamyPesse/i18n-t
https://github.com/schiehll/micro-i18n
https://github.com/scola84/node-i18n
https://github.com/secoya/hablar.js
https://github.com/SergeRNR/i18n-node
https://github.com/ShakingMap/simple-i18n
https://github.com/shatee/simple-i18n-text
https://github.com/shibukawa/i18n4v
https://github.com/signavio/i18n
https://github.com/skolmer/i18n-tag-schema
https://github.com/soldag/j29n
https://github.com/SoluzioniFutura/SF-i18n
https://github.com/ssbc/patchwork-classic-translations
https://github.com/StefanYohansson/sz-i18n
https://github.com/StephanHoyer/translate.js
https://github.com/strikingly/react-i18n
https://github.com/SuperPaintman/zen-i18n
https://github.com/synacor/preact-i18n
https://github.com/t2ym/i18n-behavior
https://github.com/tableflip/i18nify
https://github.com/tabone/i18n
https://github.com/taggon/react-native-intl
https://github.com/talyssonoc/consolid8ion
https://github.com/talyssonoc/i18node
https://github.com/tankenstein/retranslate
https://github.com/teambition/tb-i18n
https://github.com/tflori/angular-translator
https://github.com/thereactivestack-legacy/meteor-intl
https://github.com/thesadboy/nsi18n
https://github.com/Tiqa/redux-polyglot
https://github.com/tokyoincode/vuers
https://github.com/tomk79/node-langbank
https://github.com/TrigenSoftware/Localer
https://github.com/TriOxygen/oxygen-i18n
https://github.com/tsjing/react-native-intl
https://github.com/tsuz/node-i18n
https://github.com/twicapp/i18n
https://github.com/ubaltaci/hapi-basic-i18n
https://github.com/uber/express-translate
https://github.com/UKHomeOffice/i18n-lookup
https://github.com/Valetudox/angular2-translate
https://github.com/VestaRayanAfzar/vesta-i18n
https://github.com/vuedev-com/vue-localize
https://github.com/watilde/i18npm
https://github.com/winterstein/i18njs
https://github.com/Wizcorp/gettextlight.js
https://github.com/xiaobaicaistring/i18n-static
https://github.com/xpepermint/i18n-node-l
https://github.com/xpepermint/i18n-node-list
https://github.com/xpepermint/translatedjs
https://github.com/xpepermint/vue-translated
https://github.com/yahoo/intl-messageformat
https://github.com/yahoo/react-intl
https://github.com/yanickrochon/universal-i18n
https://github.com/yargs/y18n
https://github.com/Yeti-or/bem-i18n
https://github.com/yinfxs/ibird
https://github.com/yoannmoinet/i18njs
https://github.com/yohanboniface/Leaflet.i18n
https://github.com/yoshuawuyts/newspeak
https://github.com/yukkurisinai/g3tt3xt
https://github.com/zefirka/yai
https://github.com/zerious/aloha
https://github.com/Zombispormedio/moonrock
https://github.com/zoover/react-fluxible-i18n
https://github.com/zswang/h5i18n
https://github.com/zweifisch/internationalization
https://www.npmjs.com/package/@dlghq/react-l10n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/@domoinc/i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/a-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/angular-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/angular-localize
https://www.npmjs.com/package/ex-react-native-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/factorial-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/gettext.js
https://www.npmjs.com/package/hadron-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/hapi18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/i18n-harmony
https://www.npmjs.com/package/i18n-min
https://www.npmjs.com/package/i18n-node
https://www.npmjs.com/package/i18n-text
https://www.npmjs.com/package/jed
https://www.npmjs.com/package/jimi-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/jus-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/kantan-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/locales
https://www.npmjs.com/package/messageformat-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/mrpi18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/nativescript-i18n-tns2
https://www.npmjs.com/package/nd-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/ndla-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/polyglot
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-i18n-gettext
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-i18n-q
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-i18nliner
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-native-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-translate
https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-translator
https://www.npmjs.com/package/think_i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/translatron
https://www.npmjs.com/package/tranzlate
https://www.npmjs.com/package/trnslt
https://www.npmjs.com/package/wc-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/xecio-i18n
https://www.npmjs.com/package/zero-to-one-i18n

Would be awesome if some creators of those i18n frameworks would share some insights on the motivation to add a new framework to the endless list.

--

--

Founder, CTO, Software Architect, Bachelor in Computer Science #serverless #nodejs #javascript Always in search for #innovative and #disruptive stuff

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Adriano Raiano

Founder, CTO, Software Architect, Bachelor in Computer Science #serverless #nodejs #javascript Always in search for #innovative and #disruptive stuff