Do you want to make your Otter.ai transcripts speak a different language? Perhaps you've recorded a meeting in Spanish, but your team primarily works in English, or vice-versa. While Otter.ai is a fantastic tool for transcribing audio, changing the transcript language directly after recording isn't quite as straightforward as a "translate" button.
But don't despair! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how Otter.ai handles different languages for transcription, what its current capabilities are, and how you can ensure your future recordings are transcribed in the language you desire. We'll also touch upon how to work with existing transcripts in different languages.
Understanding Otter.ai's Language Capabilities
Before we dive into the steps, it's crucial to understand a key limitation: Otter.ai transcribes in the language it is set to before the recording or import begins. It does not currently offer a direct, built-in translation feature for already transcribed conversations. This means you cannot take an English transcript and magically turn it into a Spanish one with a single click. However, you can set the transcription language for new recordings.
Currently, Otter.ai supports transcription in:
English (US)
British English (UK)
Spanish
French
Otter.ai is continuously working on expanding its language support, so stay tuned for future updates!
Step 1: Get Ready to Dive In! (And What to Expect)
Alright, so you're ready to get your Otter.ai transcripts speaking the right language! The first thing we need to do is manage your expectations. As mentioned, Otter.ai is not a real-time translator for existing transcripts. Its strength lies in transcribing audio into the language you pre-select.
Think of it this way: If you're recording a conversation, Otter.ai acts like a super-smart typist who only knows one language at a time. You tell it which language to type in before it starts listening.
Ready to set yourself up for success with future multilingual transcriptions? Let's go!
Step 2: Changing the Default Transcription Language for New Recordings (Web Version)
This is the most common and effective way to ensure your Otter.ai transcripts are in the desired language. This setting will apply to all future live recordings and imported audio/video files.
Sub-heading 2.1: Accessing Account Settings
Log in to Otter.ai: Open your web browser and navigate to
otter.ai Locate Your Profile: In the upper left corner of the Otter.ai interface, you'll see your profile picture or initials. Click on it to expand the menu.
Pro Tip: This menu is your gateway to all important account-level settings.
Sub-heading 2.2: Navigating to Language Preferences
Select "Account Settings": From the expanded profile menu, click on "Account Settings". This will take you to a page where you can manage various aspects of your Otter.ai account.
Find the Language Drop-down: On the Account Settings page, look for the "Language" section. You should see a drop-down menu next to it.
Sub-heading 2.3: Choosing Your Preferred Language
Click the Language Drop-down: Click on the language drop-down menu. You will see the currently supported languages listed (e.g., English (US), British English (UK), Spanish, French).
Select Your Desired Language: Choose the language in which you want your future conversations to be transcribed.
Important Note: This only affects the transcription of the audio. The Otter.ai user interface (menus, settings, etc.) will remain in English. Otter.ai is working on full UI language support for future updates.
Automatic Saving: Your selection will typically save automatically. There's usually no separate "Save" button to click.
Step 3: Changing the Default Transcription Language on Mobile (iOS/Android App)
If you're primarily using the Otter.ai mobile app for your recordings, the process is slightly different but just as straightforward.
Sub-heading 3.1: Opening the Mobile Menu
Launch the Otter.ai App: Open the Otter.ai app on your iOS or Android device.
Tap the Menu Icon: In the upper left corner of the app, you'll find a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or your profile picture/initials). Tap on it.
Sub-heading 3.2: Accessing Conversation Language Settings
Tap on Your Profile: From the expanded menu, tap on your profile to open your settings.
Select "Conversation Language": Look for and tap on the option that says "Conversation Language".
Sub-heading 3.3: Making Your Language Selection
Choose Your Default Language: You'll see a list of available transcription languages. Tap on the one you want to set as your default.
Note: As of previous updates, British English (UK) might not be directly available on mobile. If you need this, you might need to change it via the web browser, and the setting will apply across both web and mobile. Always check for the latest app updates!
Save Your Selection: Once you've made your choice, tap the back icon or navigate away from the screen to save your selection.
Step 4: What if I Forgot to Change the Language BEFORE Recording? (The Hard Truth)
This is the crucial part that often leads to user frustration.
Sub-heading 4.1: No Post-Processing Language Change
The unfortunate reality is that Otter.ai currently does not allow you to reprocess an already transcribed conversation into a different language after the recording has taken place. The transcription is locked into the language setting that was active at the start of the recording.
Sub-heading 4.2: Why This Limitation Exists
Otter.ai's AI models are trained specifically for each language. Reprocessing a full transcript in a new language would essentially mean re-running the entire audio through a different AI model, which is a complex and resource-intensive task not currently supported for existing files.
Sub-heading 4.3: Your Options for Existing Transcripts
If you have a transcript in the wrong language, you have a few workarounds:
Manual Translation: The most direct, albeit labor-intensive, method. Copy the transcript text and use a translation tool (like Google Translate, DeepL, etc.) to translate it. Then, paste the translated text back into Otter.ai as a new note or document, or keep it in your preferred external document.
Re-record (If Possible): If the audio source is still available and the conversation can be replicated, you could re-record the audio with Otter.ai set to the correct language. This is usually only feasible for very short, controlled audio.
Use Otter Chat for Translation (Limited): Otter.ai's AI Chat feature can translate portions of your conversation. You can ask Otter Chat to "translate this paragraph into Spanish" or "summarize this section in French." While not a full transcript translation, it can be helpful for quick understanding of specific parts.
Step 5: Best Practices for Multilingual Use
To avoid future headaches and ensure accurate transcriptions, consider these best practices:
Sub-heading 5.1: Always Verify Language Before Recording
Make it a Habit: Before every meeting or audio import, quickly check your Otter.ai language setting. A quick glance can save you a lot of effort later.
Communicate with Participants: If you're recording a multi-lingual meeting where different languages will be spoken in different segments, you'll need to decide which language is dominant for the main transcription. For truly mixed-language conversations where both languages are spoken interchangeably, Otter.ai might struggle, and manual translation of segments might still be required.
Sub-heading 5.2: Understanding "Transcription" vs. "Translation"
Transcription: Converts spoken words into written text in the same language.
Translation: Converts text from one language to another.
Otter.ai is primarily a transcription tool. While its AI Chat can offer some translation capabilities, it's not designed to automatically translate entire conversation transcripts.
Sub-heading 5.3: Custom Vocabulary for Accuracy
Regardless of the language, if you're using specific jargon, names, or technical terms, utilize Otter.ai's custom vocabulary feature to improve transcription accuracy. This is crucial for all supported languages.
Step 6: Future-Proofing (Staying Updated)
Otter.ai is constantly evolving. What's not available today might be just around the corner.
Sub-heading 6.1: Check Otter.ai's Help Center and Blog
Official Sources: Regularly visit the Otter.ai Help Center and their official blog. They frequently announce new features, language support, and updates.
Community Forums: Sometimes, user communities can offer creative workarounds or insights into upcoming features before official announcements.
Sub-heading 6.2: Provide Feedback to Otter.ai
If multilingual transcription and full translation are critical features for you, let Otter.ai know! User feedback plays a significant role in product development.
Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
How to change the language for my next Otter.ai recording?
Go to Account Settings (web) or Conversation Language (mobile) and select your desired transcription language before starting the recording.
How to translate an existing Otter.ai transcript into another language?
Otter.ai does not currently have a built-in feature to translate existing transcripts. You'll need to manually copy the text and use an external translation tool.
How to know which languages Otter.ai currently supports for transcription?
As of now, Otter.ai supports English (US), British English (UK), Spanish, and French. Always check their official help documentation for the latest list.
How to ensure Otter.ai transcribes accurately when different accents are present?
Otter.ai is designed to handle a variety of accents within its supported languages. For specific jargon or names, utilize the custom vocabulary feature.
How to get a summary of an Otter.ai transcript in a different language?
You can use Otter.ai's AI Chat feature. Highlight a section or ask a question about the transcript and then prompt Otter Chat to "summarize this in French" or "explain this in Spanish."
How to deal with a meeting where speakers switch between two unsupported languages?
Otter.ai will transcribe in the single language you have set. For true multi-language conversations, you would need to transcribe each language segment separately (if possible) or rely on manual translation.
How to provide feedback to Otter.ai about wanting more language options?
Look for a "Feedback" or "Contact Support" option within the Otter.ai app or on their website.
How to use Otter.ai with virtual meeting platforms like Zoom for multilingual transcription?
Connect Otter.ai to your virtual meeting platform. Ensure your default transcription language is set before the meeting begins in Otter.ai. Otter will then transcribe the meeting in that pre-selected language.
How to tell if Otter.ai is transcribing in US English or British English?
You select either "English (US)" or "British English (UK)" in your language settings. The difference primarily lies in spelling conventions (e.g., "color" vs. "colour").
How to get my Otter.ai user interface (UI) to display in a language other than English?
Currently, the Otter.ai user interface, including menus and settings, remains in English, regardless of your transcription language setting. Otter.ai is working on full UI localization for future updates.
