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How to Turn Audio into Different Languages

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The globalized world has made it essential to convert, or translate, audio content into different languages, enhancing accessibility and engagement. It...

The globalized world has made it essential to convert, or translate, audio content into different languages, enhancing accessibility and engagement. It may involve transcribing spoken words in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, or any foreign language into a text format, followed by translating this transcribed text into the target language, be it Italian, Portuguese, German, Arabic, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Hindi, Indonesian, Swedish, Romanian, and more. The transcribed text can then be used for a range of purposes from creating subtitles for video content, developing language translation services, or even creating a voiceover in another language.

Converting Audio to Another Language

To convert audio to another language, you typically need to follow a two-step process: transcription and translation. Transcription involves converting the spoken words from the audio file into written text (usually in a .txt or other file formats) in the source language. The resulting text is then translated into the target language.

There are various tools available for both parts of this workflow. The choice of tool can depend on factors such as pricing, accuracy, speed, ease of use, and integration with other services or social media platforms. Some of the tools can even translate audio in real-time. Automatic transcription and translation tools can be highly efficient, particularly for lengthy audio files like podcasts, but human transcribers and translators may be necessary for content that requires a higher level of accuracy or nuanced understanding.

Audio Translation of Movie or YouTube Videos

Translating the audio of a movie or YouTube video involves a similar process, with the added step of syncing the translated text with the video content. If you want to create dubbed content, you may also need to hire voice actors who can accurately represent the original performances in the target language. The final output may be in the form of subtitles, or it may replace the original audio track entirely.

Using Google Translate for Audio Files

Google Translate is a well-known translation tool that can translate text in real-time. It also has speech recognition capabilities that allow it to convert spoken words into text. However, as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Google Translate does not directly support audio file translation. The workaround is to first transcribe the audio using a transcription tool or service, then copy and paste the transcribed text into Google Translate.

Is there an app to translate live audio?

Yes, there are several apps that can translate live audio. These applications use a combination of speech recognition and text translation technologies to provide near-instant translation of spoken language. They can be particularly useful in real-time scenarios such as meetings, conferences, or casual conversations with people who speak a different language. Here are a few examples:

  1. Speechify AI Dubbing: Speechify AI Video is a live video dubbing tool that uses the power of AI to automate multiple tasks on the fly to enable high quality live dubbing.
  2. Google Translate: Google's translation service is not just for text. Its mobile app offers a feature where it listens to spoken language and then provides a written translation in real-time.
  3. Microsoft Translator: This is a free app available on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. It allows users to translate spoken and written language in real-time across multiple languages. It's especially useful for group conversations as it can translate for multiple users at the same time.
  4. iTranslate Voice: This app is available on both iOS and Android. It can translate spoken words into different languages in real-time, making it useful for in-person or over-the-phone conversations.
  5. SayHi Translate: Available for iOS and Android, this app supports real-time translation of spoken words in over 90 languages and dialects.
  6. Papago: Created by South Korea's largest search engine, Naver, Papago specializes in East Asian languages. It's a good choice for translating between English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese.

Remember that while these tools can be incredibly useful, they are not perfect. Complex or idiomatic language may not be translated accurately. For critical translations, you may still want to consider hiring a professional translator.

How to translate a YouTube video into other language?

Translating a YouTube video into another language involves several steps. Here's a simplified process to help you understand how it works:

  1. Transcribe the Video: The first step is to create a transcription of the video's audio content. This can be achieved manually or by using automatic transcription tools such as Google's built-in voice recognition service, Rev, or Sonix. These tools convert spoken words into written text.
  2. Translate the Transcript: Once you have the transcript, you can translate it into the target language. You can use online translation tools like Google Translate or professional translation services to ensure accuracy, especially if the content is complex or uses idiomatic expressions.
  3. Create Subtitles/Closed Captions: After translation, the next step is to create subtitles or closed captions. YouTube has its own subtitle creator where you can upload your translated text. Make sure the translated text syncs well with the video. Timing is crucial in this step to ensure the captions match the video content.
  4. Upload the Subtitles: Once the captions have been created and timed correctly, you can upload them directly to the video on YouTube. Navigate to the video's details page, click on the 'Subtitles' tab, and upload your subtitle file there.

It's essential to review the translated content for accuracy and context. Machine translation can often miss nuances or idiomatic expressions unique to each language. Depending on the nature and purpose of the video, you might consider seeking help from a professional translator.

Voice-over Translation

Voice-over translation, as used in movies or TV shows, requires both translation and voice acting skills. The script is first translated into the target language, then voice actors record the translated lines, trying to match the timing and emotional tone of the original performance.

Now let's dive into the top 8 software or apps that can help you with audio translation:

  1. Rev.com: Offers transcription, translation, and voiceover services, with pricing based on the length of the audio file and target language.
  2. Trint: An automatic transcription and translation tool, with real-time capabilities. It offers integration with video editing software to streamline the workflow.
  3. Sonix: Provides automated transcription and translation services, suitable for large volumes of audio or video files.
  4. Microsoft Translator: Offers real-time translation, with support for various languages and integration with Microsoft’s suite of services.
  5. iTranslate Voice: An iOS and Android app for real-time translation of spoken words, ideal for conversations or small meetings.
  6. Descript: This tool provides transcription, editing, and translation services, and can even generate a synthetic voiceover in different languages.
  7. Happy Scribe: Offers automatic and human transcription and translation services. It has a user-friendly interface and supports multiple file formats.
  8. Amara: Specializes in subtitle creation and translation for video content, making it a good choice for translating YouTube videos or social media content.

These tools can help streamline the process of translating audio content into different languages, making it easier to reach a global audience or understand foreign language content. It's advisable to explore multiple tools and use the one that fits your specific needs the best.

How do I find a translation for an audio file?

Finding a translation for an audio file, converting the audio of a movie into another language, or translating audio to a different language all essentially involve similar processes: transcribing the original audio, translating the transcription, and, in the case of a movie, creating translated subtitles or a new voiceover track.

Step 1: Transcribe the Audio The first step is transcribing the audio file, which involves converting the spoken words into text. Several tools, both free and paid, can help with this process. Some examples include Rev.com, Trint, or Sonix.

Step 2: Translate the Transcription Once you have the text transcription, it can be translated into your target language. You could use an online tool like Google Translate, but for more accuracy and contextual relevance, you might want to use a professional translation service or a freelance translator.

Step 3: Subtitling or Voiceover (for movies) If you're converting the audio of a movie into another language, you can either create subtitles in the target language or create a new voiceover track. For subtitles, you can use tools like Amara or Subtitle Edit to sync the translated text with the video. For a voiceover, you'd need to hire voice actors who can replicate the original performance in the target language.

Can I download a tool to convert the audio of movie into other language?

There are tools available that you can download or use online to convert the audio of a movie into other languages. As mentioned above, these might include transcription services (Rev, Trint), translation tools (Google Translate, DeepL), and subtitling tools (Amara, Subtitle Edit).

How to translate audio to a different language?

Translating audio to a different language involves two primary steps: transcription and translation.

  1. Transcription: The first step in translating audio to a different language is to transcribe the audio. Transcription is the process of converting spoken words in an audio or video file into written text. This can be done manually by listening to the audio and typing what you hear, but for lengthy or complex files, you may want to use transcription software or services. These use speech recognition technology to automatically convert spoken words into text. There are many transcription tools available, including Rev.com, Trint, or Sonix.
  2. Translation: Once the audio has been transcribed, the resulting text can be translated into the target language. This can be done using a text translation tool like Google Translate, but these tools can sometimes struggle with idiomatic expressions, technical language, or cultural nuances. For these more complex tasks, or for any translation where accuracy is particularly important, you may want to hire a professional translator or use a professional translation service.

It's important to note that some tools and services can streamline this process by offering both transcription and translation. Examples include Rev.com and Sonix, both of which provide translation services in addition to transcription.

Lastly, depending on your needs, you may also need to convert the translated text back into audio in the target language. This could be done using text-to-speech software, or, for a more natural result, you could hire a voice actor to perform a voiceover. If you're translating the audio for a movie or video, you would then need to sync the new audio with the video, or use the translated text to create subtitles.

Top 8 software or apps that can help you with audio translation:

  1. Rev.com: Offers transcription, translation, and voiceover services, with pricing based on the length of the audio file and target language.
  2. Trint: An automatic transcription and translation tool, with real-time capabilities. It offers integration with video editing software to streamline the workflow.
  3. Sonix: Provides automated transcription and translation services, suitable for large volumes of audio or video files.
  4. Microsoft Translator: Offers real-time translation, with support for various languages and integration with Microsoft’s suite of services.
  5. iTranslate Voice: An iOS and Android app for real-time translation of spoken words, ideal for conversations or small meetings.
  6. Descript: This tool provides transcription, editing, and translation services, and can even generate a synthetic voiceover in different languages.
  7. Happy Scribe: Offers automatic and human transcription and translation services. It has a user-friendly interface and supports multiple file formats.
  8. Amara: Specializes in subtitle creation and translation for video content, making it a good choice for translating YouTube videos or social media content.

These tools can help streamline the process of translating audio content into different languages, making it easier to reach a global audience or understand foreign language content. It's advisable to explore multiple tools and use the one that fits your specific needs the best.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.