Guide: The translation language and auto translate
This page: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/languages/the-translation-language-and-auto-translate
Topic: Languages and preferences
Time: about 2 minutes
Who can do it: Owner, Administrator or Manager
Author: https://anantgupta.xyz (Anant Gupta, founder of CommentWatchDog)
Start in the app: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/settings/general
Result when done: Foreign comments arrive in a language you read.
Context: Two settings govern translation. The translation language is what comments are turned into. Auto translate decides whether it happens by itself as they arrive. Translation and auto translate are included from Starter.

Before you start:
1. The translation language defaults to your interface language.
2. Changing it clears saved translations, so they are made again in the new language.
3. Auto translate applies to new comments as they arrive.

Steps:
Step 1 of 3: Open the Settings tab.
Where: Settings, then the Settings tab, which holds the account-wide settings.
Link: https://app.commentwatchdog.com/en/settings/general (Open Settings)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/general.en.webp (The Settings tab.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/general-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: Translation language, Auto translate and the daily digest, in one place.

Step 2 of 3: Set the translation language.
Where: Translation language: My interface language, or a specific one. The note warns that changing it clears saved translations.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/general.en.webp (Translation language.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/general-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: Comments translate into that language from now on.

Step 3 of 3: Decide about auto translate.
Where: Auto translate turns foreign comments as they arrive, so the inbox is readable without a click. Leave it off if you prefer to translate only what you open.
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/general.en.webp (Auto translate.)
Screenshot: https://commentwatchdog.com/media/shots/general-phone.en.webp (The same on a phone.)
You should see: New foreign comments arrive translated, with the original kept.

If something is off:
Problem: My old translations disappeared
Fix: Changing the translation language clears them on purpose. They are made again as you open the comments.
Problem: Everything is being translated, including my own language
Fix: A comment already in the translation language is left alone; the note on it says so.
Problem: It guessed the wrong source language
Fix: Short comments are guessed from the post or the author name. The header says which.

Common questions:
Question: Which plans include auto translate?
Answer: Starter and every plan above it. On Mini and Lite the two settings show with a lock and the plan that opens them. Mini and Lite are offered in selected countries.
Question: Who can change the translation language and auto translate?
Answer: The owner, an administrator or a manager. Both settings sit on the Settings tab, which holds the account-wide settings, next to the daily digest.
Question: Is the original comment kept when auto translate is on?
Answer: Yes. New foreign comments arrive translated, with the original kept, so the inbox is readable without a click.
Question: Does auto translate go back over comments already in my inbox?
Answer: No. Auto translate applies to new comments as they arrive. For a comment already in the inbox, use the translate action on it.
Question: Can I translate my own reply before sending it?
Answer: Yes. CommentWatchDog offers one-click translate on incoming comments and on your reply drafts.

Related guides:
- Translate a comment and your reply: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/inbox/translate-a-comment-and-your-reply
- Change the interface language: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/languages/change-the-interface-language
- Translate a message and your draft: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/messages/translate-a-message-and-your-draft

Plain text of this guide: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/languages/the-translation-language-and-auto-translate.md
All guides for assistants: https://commentwatchdog.com/help/llms.txt