# General Translation Python SDKs: t_fallback
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/python/reference/functions/t-fallback.mdx
Docs index: https://generaltranslation.com/llms.txt
Description: Interpolate a string without a translation lookup in General Translation Python. API reference for t_fallback.

Use `t_fallback` for strings that should be interpolated but not translated, such as content already in the default locale. Because it never looks up a translation, it works without an initialized manager.

## Overview [#overview]

Call `t_fallback` with a source string and interpolation variables as keyword arguments. It returns the interpolated string, delegating to [`interpolate_message`](/docs/python/reference/functions/interpolate-message). Unlike [`t`](/docs/python/reference/functions/t), it never reads the manager or looks up a translation, so it works without an initialized manager.

```python
from gt_i18n import t_fallback

message = t_fallback("Hello, {name}!", name="World")
```

Signature:

```python
t_fallback(message: str, **kwargs: object) -> str
```

Import `t_fallback` from `gt_i18n`. It is not re-exported by the framework packages.

## How it works [#how-it-works]

- **No translation.** It only interpolates — it does not hash, look up, or fetch a translation.
- **Interpolation.** Variables are substituted using ICU MessageFormat syntax, including any declared `_gt_` variables in the source.
- **Error safety.** If the message cannot be formatted, [`interpolate_message`](/docs/python/reference/functions/interpolate-message) returns the raw source rather than raising.

## Parameters [#parameters]

| Parameter | Description | Type | Optional | Default |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [`message`](#message) | The ICU MessageFormat string to interpolate. | `str` | No | — |
| [`kwargs`](#kwargs) | Variables to interpolate into the message. | keyword args | Yes | — |

### `message` [#message]

**Type** `str` · **Required**

The ICU MessageFormat string to interpolate.

### `kwargs` [#kwargs]

**Type** keyword arguments · **Optional**

Variables to interpolate into the message.

## Returns [#returns]

**Type** `str`

The interpolated string.

## Example [#example]

```python
from gt_i18n import t_fallback

t_fallback("Welcome, {name}!", name="Alice")
# → "Welcome, Alice!"
```

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