Live Translation

Real-time speech-to-speech translation across 60+ languages, powered by Soniox.

Live Translation turns your iPhone into a real-time interpreter. Speak in one language and hear (or read) the translation in another with very low latency - ideal for lectures, meetings, workshops, and conversations where you can't pause to retranscribe.

Live Translation is powered by Soniox, which handles both real-time speech recognition and speech synthesis in a single streaming session.

How It's Different From AI Translation

VivaDicta has two translation features for two different jobs:

• Translation (AI) - record a note first, then translate the finished transcription with an AI preset. Best for finished recordings, polished output, and any AI provider.
• Live Translation (this page) - streams transcription and translation continuously while you speak, with optional spoken playback. Best for in-the-moment listening and speaking.

Open Live Translation

Tap the globe icon at the top of the notes list to open the Live Translation screen.

The Live Translation Screen

Pick the source and target languages at the top, then tap Start listening. As you speak, the original text appears in the left column and the translation streams into the right column in real time. With spoken playback enabled, you also hear the translation read aloud.

Spoken Playback

Toggle Speak translation to hear the translation spoken aloud as it's generated. Use the rate slider to adjust playback speed (1.0x to 2.0x, default 1.15x) - useful for keeping pace with a fast speaker or slowing things down for clarity.

Pick the voice from the menu next to the toggle. All voices are multilingual, so the same voice (e.g. Adrian, Maya, Kenji) speaks every supported language - the choice is purely about timbre.

For best results, use headphones or hold the iPhone close to your ear. This keeps the spoken translation from feeding back into the microphone and confusing the recognizer.

Save as a Note

Tap Save as note at the bottom of the screen to capture the full session as a regular VivaDicta note. The original transcript is saved as the note text, and the translation is saved as a variation - so you can revisit, share, or further process either side later. The saved note syncs via iCloud just like any other recording.

Supported Languages

Live Translation supports 60+ languages via Soniox - the same set covered by their real-time STT and TTS models. Any source language can be paired with any target language. See Soniox's supported-languages page for the full list.

Setup

1. Get a Soniox API key and add it in VivaDicta Settings under the Soniox provider section.
2. Grant microphone permission the first time you start a session.
3. Open the notes list and tap the globe icon at the top to start.

Tips

• Headphones recommended when spoken playback is on, to avoid the synthesized voice leaking back into the mic.
• One language per direction - the recognizer is tuned for the source language you pick, not for free-form code-switching mid-sentence.
• Playback rate defaults to 1.15x because slightly faster speech tends to feel more natural for live listening. Adjust to taste.
• Live Translation streams audio directly to Soniox - it does not go through your configured AI provider for AI processing. The session is purely STT + TTS.

See also: Soniox Setup, Translation (AI-based, for finished recordings).