How to use auto-translation during chats

Chat with visitors even when you don't share the same language. Messages are auto-translated in real time, if the language pair is available.

Important: To chat with visitors in their native language, your administrator needs to ensure the following:

Auto-translation must be enabled and configured for the chat window. For details, see How to set up auto-translation.
Operator languages must be defined. For details, see How to add operators.
The language pair must be supported.

The image below shows auto-translation in action. Hover your mouse over the elements to see their function.

The left panel shows messages in your language. Translated messages are marked with a red asterisk.

The right panel shows messages in the visitor's language. Translated messages are marked with a red asterisk.

Are visitors aware that messages are being auto-translated?

Visitors are notified in a system chat message when you are not chatting in the same language.

What language should I use?

The language you are expected to use for outgoing messages is indicated at the bottom left of the Chat tab (?You are expected to type in X?). To chat in a different language, you must disable auto-translation before typing. Otherwise BoldChat will attempt to translate your conversation.

The language you are expected to use for outgoing messages is indicated in the status bar. If you want to chat with a visitor in a different language than indicated, remember to disable auto-translation before typing. Otherwise BoldChat will attempt to translate your conversation.

How can I change the visitor language?

Click Translate > Set Language... and adjust the preferred language.

Note: The expected visitor language is determined by the chat window's language setting or the language the visitor selected on the pre-chat form.

How can I preview or edit my auto-translated message?

Click Preview in [language] to preview the message. To edit and format the translated message before sending, click Edit Preview.

How can I switch auto-translation on or off?

Click Translate > Enable Auto-translation to switch real time translation on or off.

I speak the visitor's language, but messages are being auto-translated anyway.

Contact your administrator to update the list of languages you speak.

Important: If you want to chat with a visitor in their native language, remember to switch auto-translation off first. Otherwise BoldChat will attempt to translate your conversation even though you are using the same language.

How can I prevent certain phrases or words from being translated?

Click to mark the selected text of your message as not translatable.

Tip: You can also use do not translate formatting in canned messages.

Can I assign an auto-translated chat to another operator?

Yes. Once the chat is reassigned, the operator language is adjusted by the new operator's settings.

What happens if a language pair is unavailable?

If you neither share a common language with the visitor nor any of your language pairs are supported by auto-translate, you and the visitor may not be able to understand each other. Contact your administrator to address the issue.