# Live translation

> While you record, every line of the transcript gets its translation right below it, a few seconds after it is spoken. Six languages, with the AI you already use in Rice.

Updated 2026-10-20. https://ricenotes.app/translation

Live translation in a meeting (30 s): A 30-second video of live translation in Rice. On her first call with a client abroad, Lia nods along without following. With Rice beside the call, every line stays in italics and its translation appears in blue right below it, almost in real time, and she answers. Six languages, with the AI you already have or a local model, and the audio never leaves the computer. Open source, local and free. https://ricenotes.app/media/traducao-v2/rice-traducao-en-16x9.mp4

## What it is

Turn on **Live translation** in the Transcript tab of a meeting and choose the language. What was said stays in italics, and the translation appears in blue right below it, a few seconds after that part of the speech ends.

It helps when the meeting is in a language you follow with effort, or when someone in the call speaks another one. The original is never replaced: the translation is added below each line.

## How it works

Rice translates with the AI you already set up for the notes. There is nothing else to install and no new account.

- **The AI you chose.** Claude, OpenAI or Gemini, with the subscription or key you already use, or a model on your computer with Ollama or LM Studio.
- **With a local AI, nothing leaves.** With Ollama or LM Studio, the translation is done on your computer and no text leaves it. In 100% local mode, only a local AI translates.
- **The audio never leaves.** Recording and transcription stay on your computer, as always. With an AI in the cloud, only the text of each line goes to it, as with the notes, and the meeting’s privacy receipt lists it.
- **The transcript never waits.** If the AI does not answer or the connection drops, the transcript goes on as usual, and the translation resumes when the AI is back.

What leaves the computer, and when: https://ricenotes.app/business#flows

## Six languages

Translate into any of them. The list leaves out the language the meeting is in.

- Português (Portuguese), `pt`
- English, `en`
- Español (Spanish), `es`
- Français (French), `fr`
- Deutsch (German), `de`
- Italiano (Italian), `it`

## How to turn it on

1. Start recording a meeting, or open the one that is recording.
2. In the **Transcript** tab, click **Live translation**.
3. Pick the language in the menu of the same button. Click it again to turn the translation off.

No AI set up yet? Connect one in Settings › AI, as shown in [How to use Rice](https://ricenotes.app/guide).