Seriously, do I have the wrong server listing or something, because all multiplayer games I've been able to join are filled with people speaking a language I can't decipher.

You'll have to forgive me if I'm missing something -- I just recently acquired JJ2 again and got multiplayer working. I'm using 1.24, if that helps.

Also, all of the servers seem to be compatible with either 1.20 or 1.24 -- none with 1.23.