NotchLiveChoose the source once
Your microphone language is the default source for Dictation, Voice Notes, and microphone captions.
Translated Dictation for Mac
Speak in one language. Type in another.
Hold the translation shortcut, speak in your microphone language, and release. NotchLive recognizes the speech locally, translates the finished thought, and inserts it into the field where you began.
Requires NotchLive Pro and macOS 15 or later · Apple Translation language support varies
Your microphone languageUse a chosen language or Auto, consistent with the rest of NotchLive.
Your target languageChoose the language that should be inserted into the focused field.
One finished thoughtTranslation starts after you release, keeping live recognition fast.
A direct path from the language you speak to the language you need.
This is not a second dictation engine. It uses the same microphone-language bridge, then translates the finalized result before insertion.
Choose a target for writing
Translated Dictation has its own target-language setting, so your caption preferences do not have to change.
Install language support when needed
NotchLive shows whether the selected translation pair is ready. Unsupported or unavailable language resources are surfaced before you depend on them.
Source → targetDirectNo copy-and-paste relay
Dictation translation and live translation solve different moments.
Translated Dictation writes what you say into a text field. Real-time translated captions help you read calls, videos, lectures, and microphone speech while they are happening.
| Surface | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Translated Dictation | Your microphone | Translated text inserted into the focused field |
| Live Translation | App audio, microphone, or both | Real-time translated captions you can read as speech continues |
Useful when the message matters more than typing in the target language.
Reply to an international customer
Say the answer in the language you are most comfortable speaking.
Insert the target-language result directly into Mail, Messages, Slack, or a browser editor.
Write while traveling
Prepare short local-language messages without bouncing between a dictation app and a translation website.
Review names, dates, and formal wording before sending.
Keep a multilingual workflow consistent
Use one microphone-language setting across NotchLive and a separate target for translated writing.
Personal Dictionary replacements are applied before translation.
Translated Dictation FAQ
Is Translated Dictation only for English?
No. The source follows your NotchLive microphone language or Auto setting, and the target can be another supported language. Translated Dictation requires macOS 15 or later, and availability depends on Apple Translation language support.
Does Translated Dictation use Kōkako?
No. Kōkako is designed for microphone captioning scenarios where Mac playback can leak into the microphone. Dictation records your microphone directly and does not need that heavier echo-cancellation path.
What happens if the target language is not installed?
NotchLive shows the selected pair as unavailable rather than silently pretending translation is ready. Install the required Apple language resources or choose a supported target.
Is the translation live while I speak?
No. Dictation recognition remains fast while you speak, then the finalized thought is translated after you release. For continuous translated speech, use real-time translated captions.
Write across languages without changing the way you speak.
Translated Dictation is included with NotchLive Pro alongside private Mac dictation, real-time translated captions, saved sessions, Voice Notes, and exports.