How to Convert Audio to Text with Google Translate?

Google Translate has limited transcription capabilities. Use Transkriptor, a full-fledged AI audio to text converter to record audio and get 99% accurate transcriptions in seconds.

Transkriptor transcribes your audio in 100+ languages

Google Translate feature converting spoken words into text, focusing on speech-to-text functionality.
Example of poorly transcribed text from Google Translate's dictation feature.

How does Google Translate Convert Audio to Text

To Transcribe speech into text with Google Translate, you need to speak slowly, with and understandable audio. If by any chance your conversation gets too long, Google translate will cut the transcription short.

How Transkriptor Converts Audio to Text

With Transkriptor’s mobile and web applications, you can easily record immediate speech or upload files to transcribe. Transkriptor identifies different speakers and provides a transcription with timestamps and speaker tags.

High-quality text transcription produced by Transkriptor, showcasing its accuracy.

Why Choose Transkriptor Over Google Translate?

Google Translate is just a translator

Google Translate can’t technically transcribe. It only dictates your short sentences into text.

The accuracy for most languages isn’t optimal.

It is not suitable for longer conversations.

Google Translate only keeps a brief history of your dictations.

Google Translate can’t identify speakers.

Transkriptor is a fully cooked AI Transcription Tool

Transkriptor can transcribe hours of speech in minutes.

Transkriptor is made to transcribe your audio/video 99% accurately.

Transkriptor is easy-to-use and unser-friendly.

You can ask your transcriptions questions, or summarize them.

Transkriptor Identifies different speakers and assigns speaker tags.

How to Transcribe Audio to Text with Transkriptor:

Upload interface for submitting dictation files for transcription.

1. Upload the Audio or Paste the Link

Upload your audio file or paste the link into the box, then select the audio language.

Page displaying the conversion of a dictation file into text.

2. Transcribe Audio to Text

Transkriptor’s audio to text converter delivers results fast and with 99% accuracy.

Option to download the text result of a transcribed dictation file.

3. Download Transcript

Once the transcription is ready, you can download your audio transcription.

How to Convert Audio to Text with Google Translate?

Google Translate is a free platform for automatic language translation, available as a website and app. Google Translate allows users to speak directly into the program, for real-time audio-to-text conversion , or play a pre-recorded audio file. Google Translate is praised for its phenomenal language coverage and easy-to-use interfaces for desktop and mobile users.

While Google Translate offers a transcription feature, it's mainly built for short translations and is not ideal for longer audio files. Transkriptor , in contrast, specializes in converting audio to text accurately and quickly, making it better suited for transcribing long recordings. Google Translate does not come with audio translator capabilities. With Transkriptor, users are able to easily transcribe large audio/video files and translate them on the platform.

The 6 steps to convert audio to text with Google Translate are listed below.

  1. Open Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or open the website.
  2. Select Languages: Select the source and target languages by using the drop-down menu.
  3. Click on the Microphone Icon: Press the microphone icon to transcribe the text to be translated.
  4. Start Speaking: Start speaking slowly and clearly to Google Translate to detect the words accurately.
  5. Stop the Recording: Press the square “stop” icon once the whole text is spoken.
  6. Edit and Copy the Text: Review and edit the transcribed text to ensure that it is error-free. Copy and paste the text to export it.

Google Translate interface ready to convert spoken words into text, illustrating Step 1 in the process.
Start converting audio to text with Google Translate; follow this simple guide to begin translating instantly.

Step 1: Open Google Translate

Start by going to the Google Translate website, downloading the Google Translate app from the App Store (Apple devices), or downloading it from the Google Play store (Android devices). The Google Translate website and app offer the same features, but with different layouts to suit desktop and mobile devices.

Google Translate's interface showing a textbox ready for audio input, Step 2 in the audio-to-text conversion process.
Continue to Step 2 in Google Translate for audio-to-text: a seamless transition from speech to script awaits.

Step 2: Select Languages

Google Translate prompts users to select two languages: the source language that they will be speaking in, and the target language that they want the text to appear in. Use the drop-down menu to select the target language and source language, scrolling to the desired language in the list, or typing its name into the search bar at the top of the screen.

Google Translate also offers users a “Detect language” option when they are choosing the source language. The “Detect language” function automatically identifies the language being spoken in the audio, based on an analysis of which characters are used. Use this option sparingly, as Google’s automatic language detection is a work in progress, and sometimes incorrectly identifies the source language.

Google Translate is microphone activated, ready for voice input to convert audio to text in next step.
Activate Google Translate's microphone in Step 4 to convert the speech to text effortlessly. Try it now!

Step 3: Click on the Microphone Icon

Hovering over the microphone icon in Google Translate causes a line of text to appear describing the function of the button: “translate from voice”. Press the microphone icon, click ‘OK’ on the request from Google to send the transcription data to its servers, and prepare to start speaking to transcribe the text to be translated.

Step 4: Start Speaking

The first step to recording audio is giving Google Translate permission to access the device’s microphone, if it has not already been granted. It is time to start speaking Once the source language and target language have been selected, and Google Translate has been given access to the device’s microphone.

Open the Google Translate application and press the microphone icon to record the audio. Speak slowly and clearly, enunciating each word while keeping a natural speaking rhythm. Some tips for successful audio recording are to find a quiet place to record, with minimal disruptions and background noise, as well as to use a headset with a microphone whose quality exceeds the built-in microphone on the device.

Google Translate is primed for transcription, serving as the ultimate phase in the process of converting audio to text.
Translation completed on Google Translate, showcasing successful audio to text conversion in Step 5.

Step 5: Stop the Recording

Stop the recording by pressing on the square “end” icon once the recording is complete, indicated by the translated text appearing on the screen. Note that Google Translate only allows users to transcribe 5,000 characters at a time, which is roughly 982 words at just under 8 minutes of talking, so it is for shorter audio recordings. However, Transkriptor does not have such limitations and offers more accurate transcription, allowing for the transcription of longer files without interruption.

Two versions of the text are shown on screen when the recording is stopped: the transcription of the recording in the source language, and the translated text in the target language. The transcription is shown in a text box on the left side of the screen, and the translation is shown on the right on the Google Translate website. The transcription is in a text box at the top of the screen, and the translation in one underneath in the Google Translate app.

Translation completed on Google Translate, showcasing successful audio to text conversion in Step 5.
See the spoken words turned into text with Google Translate in Step 5 - accurate and quick translation.

Step 6: Edit and Copy the Text

While Google Translate provides a basic transcription service, it may not always accurately capture audio, necessitating manual corrections to align the transcript with the recorded speech. Although Google Translate updates the translation automatically with each edit to the transcript, direct editing of the translation is not possible. Users can copy the translated text for use elsewhere by clicking the icon resembling two overlapping rectangles.

Transkriptor, on the other hand, offers more accurate transcription services, reducing the need for extensive edits. Additionally, editing within Transkriptor is more straightforward, enhancing the efficiency of the transcription process. This ease of editing, combined with higher transcription accuracy, makes Transkriptor a superior choice for users requiring reliable and user-friendly transcription solutions, such as when using audio to text on evernote .

What are the Best Practices for Using Google Translate?

The 4 best practices for using Google Translate to get accurate results are listed below.

  1. Ensure Clear and Slow Speech: Speak clearly, loudly, and slowly to get more accurate transcriptions.
  2. Use High-Quality Audio Equipment: Get an external microphone if the quality of the built-in microphone is not enough.
  3. Regularly Test for Accuracy: Stop and check the accuracy of the transcription to be sure it corresponds with the audio.
  4. Understand the Limitations: Understand that Google Translate leads to errored transcriptions from time to time before starting to use it.

Tip #1: Ensure Clear and Slow Speech

Speak clearly, loudly, and at a moderate pace when making an audio recording for translation , or speaking directly into an automatic translation program. Pay attention to the enunciation of each word, syllable by syllable. It is important to strike a balance between articulating each word clearly and maintaining a natural speaking rhythm, so read the text aloud a couple of times to get into the flow before opening Google Translate.

Tip #2: Use High-Quality Audio Equipment

The quality of built-in microphones in new phones and laptops is fairly high in 2024. They are satisfactory for Google Translate to generate accurate translations. It is, however, a good idea for individuals planning to use Google Translate to make several audio-to-text translations to buy (or rent) an external microphone. Wireless microphones, clip-on microphones, and USB microphones are all great options that minimize background noise for better speech recognition.

Tip #3: Regularly Test for Accuracy

Do not assume that Google Translate is not accurate generally. The accuracy of translations generated by Google Translate varies depending on the languages, the quality of the audio, and the complexity of the phrases. Use a couple of sentences to test the quality of translation for the specific language pair before embarking on a new Google Translate project.

It is important to check the accuracy of the transcription and translation for technical terms. To get more accurate outcomes, use Transkriptor both for the transcription and translation process.

Tip #4: Understand the Limitations

Google Translate does not always provide perfect translations although it is fast, free, and incredibly helpful in smoothing out the process of audio-to-text translation. Understand the limitations of Google Translate before starting to use it, insofar as grammatical errors, struggles with complex phrases, and underrepresentation of uncommon languages.

Transkriptor is an excellent choice for individuals looking for higher accuracy, particularly in transcription tasks that require attention to detail or involve specific terminology. Transkriptor excels at producing more precise transcriptions, efficiently handling complex phrases and supporting a broader range of languages. Its user-friendly editing environment boosts productivity even more, making it an excellent choice for users who require reliable transcription solutions without the limitations encountered in Google Translate.

How to Optimize Audio Quality for Better Text Conversion?

Optimizing an audio file consists of reducing its size, speeding up the time it takes to download, and reducing the amount of bandwidth required to do so. Change the audio file to a compressed format like AAC, OGG, WAV, or MP3 to compress it.

Optimizing audio quality is a different ballgame than optimizing the audio file for audio-to-text timestamps . Aim for the sweet spot distance from the microphone when recording to optimize the audio quality for text conversion, close enough for all sounds to be picked up properly but not too close so that any breathing is audible.

Eliminating background noise in the recording is essential for effective audio-to-text conversion. A quiet environment without any devices that make noise is best. For users planning to make several audio recordings, it’s a good idea to purchase an external microphone whose sound quality is higher than the built-in microphone on a phone or laptop.

Two hands holding smartphones with Transkriptor and Google Translate, demonstrating audio transcription and translation.
Streamline language tasks using Transkriptor for transcription and Google Translate for translation—get started now!

Why Use Transkriptor for Audio-to-Text Conversion over Google Translate?

Choosing the right audio-to-text tool is key for accurate and efficient transcriptions. While Google Translate is useful for simple translations, it's not ideal for detailed audio transcriptions . Transkriptor, designed for audio to text, offers better accuracy, speed, and features than Google Translate. Here's why Transkriptor is the better choice for transcription tasks:

  1. Limitation: Unlike Google Translate, which limits transcription to 5,000 characters at a time, Transkriptor does not have such restrictions, allowing for the transcription of longer audio files without interruption.
  2. Accuracy: Transkriptor offers more accurate transcription services compared to Google Translate, especially designed for converting audio to text. This ensures that the essential details and nuances of the original audio are captured faithfully.
  3. Speed: Transkriptor provides fast transcription services, enabling users to convert large volumes of audio to text quickly and efficiently, saving valuable time for professionals and researchers.
  4. Translation Option: In addition to transcription, Transkriptor also offers translation options, allowing users to transcribe and then translate their text into multiple languages within the same platform, streamlining the workflow for multilingual projects.
  5. Ease of Editing: Transkriptor's platform is designed with user-friendly editing features, making it easier for users to review and make necessary corrections to their transcripts. Edits to the transcript are straightforward, enhancing the overall accuracy and quality of the final text.

Transkriptor's interface showcasing the meeting assistant feature, streamlining qualitative research transcription.
Connect Transkriptor to the meetings for effortless interview transcription. Perfect for qualitative research accuracy.

How to Use Google Translate with Transkriptor?

Transkriptor elevates the convenience of transcription and translation by embedding Google Translate's language conversion tools directly within its interface. After users easily transcribe their audio to text with Transkriptor’s precise and efficient transcription services, they are able to translate their text with a single click.

The advantage of this integration is twofold: it significantly reduces the time and effort typically associated with the transcription-to-translation workflow, and it maintains the context and accuracy of the original transcription throughout the translation process. By integrating Google Translate, Transkriptor not only brings a high level of accuracy and speed to transcription but also extends these benefits to translation, all within an intuitive and cohesive platform. Try it for free!

Frequently Asked Questions

The accuracy of translations generated by Google Translate varies, depending on the prominence of the language pair in the software’s database. To get more accurate transcripts, you can use Transkriptor.

While Google Translate does not offer a direct save or export option for transcribed text, you can copy the text from the translation output box and paste it into another document or application for saving or further processing.

Yes, the Google Translate website is completely free to use, and the Google Translate app is available to download free of charge.

Google Translate supports 133 languages, including minority languages like Mizo which is used by 800,000 people in the northeast of India.

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