Use Descript’s Translate feature to generate translated captions, subtitles, and transcripts from your original script. 

If you want to add a translated voiceover, see our additional guide on dubbing speech to add a translated voiceover.

This article includes:

• Supported languages for translating captions
• Translate captions from your original script
• Best practices for using Translate
• Manage your translated compositions
• Edit a translated composition (Business & Enterprise only)
• Export your translated content

Supported languages

Descript supports caption translation into a wide range of languages. Dubbing (translated voiceover using AI Speakers) is a separate feature with its own set of supported languages. Learn more about dubbing in a different language in this dedicated Dub speech article.

Before getting started

• Style and apply captions before translating — Translating will copy the styling from your original captions layer. If you change the style later, you'll need to re-translate to apply those updates to your translated versions.
• Custom transitions and animations aren’t supported in translated videos — To include transitions between scenes in your translated version, use Smart Transitions. Make sure to apply them before translating.
• Performance tip — Translating more than 4 languages at a time may cause slowdowns or errors.

How to translate your captions

1. Open the AI Actions panel, then choose Translate under the Repurpose section.
   
2. In the Translate to section, choose your target language(s). Any language you've already translated to will display a green dot. Re-translating will overwrite the existing version, including any manual edits.
   
3. Once translation is complete, Descript will create a new composition within the project. In the new composition, you'll see the translated captions divided into sections. Use the play button in the top right corner of each section to preview your translated composition.
   

Manage your translated compositions

Edit your original composition

To edit your original script instead of the translation, switch to the Original view. Any changes you make there won’t appear in translated versions unless you re-translate.

Open a translated composition

Use the language dropdown in the top bar to switch between translations. To create a new one, click New translation.

View and manage translations

Use the menu next to each language to re-translate, export, copy a share link, or delete the version.

Manual syncing

Changes made to your original composition won’t automatically update translated versions. To apply updates, re-translate the project—just note this will overwrite any manual edits in the translated version.

Edit translations (Business & Enterprise only)

Business and Enterprise plans can edit a translated composition, correct the translated transcript, and adjust timing for each scene or sentence.

Make adjustments directly in the translated script:

Export your translated content

To export your translated composition, click Export in the top right corner of the window. You’ll have a few export options depending on what you’ve translated.

Export a single translation

Choose the translated language from the export menu to download one version at a time.

Export multiple translations

Select Local export and choose the languages you want to include in the batch export.

Export subtitles or transcripts

In the export settings, choose Transcript or Subtitles to download a .txt, .srt, or .vtt file of your translated script.