Choose translation direction
Open Actions → Translate → gear. Search the language selectors by name or code.
- One target language: translate every selection into the language you choose.
- Between two languages: translate text in either selected language into the other. Text in a third language translates into the primary language.
For example, with English as primary and French as second: English → French, French → English, and Bulgarian → English.
Choose a translation provider
Use Automatic for Apple on-device translation with Microsoft fallback when Online Actions is enabled, or choose ChatGPT and another configured AI provider. AI translation uses the selected provider and your chosen target language. Bulgarian is supported through Microsoft Translator and compatible AI providers.
Check offline language packs
The Offline language packs section shows availability for each source → target direction. In two-language mode, both directions are checked. Choose Install where offered. Other source languages may require additional downloads. If Apple does not support the pair, ActionClip can use Microsoft Translator when Online Actions is enabled. See language support.
Control the translation result
Show Play button enables play, pause, and resume for translated text. Show original text independently shows the source above the translation. Both default off for new settings. Copy and Replace use only the translation. There is no Translate back or swap-direction button in the result.
Choose and download voices
- Open Speech voices in Translate or Speak/Say action settings. In Translate, enable Show Play button first.
- Choose a language, then search the installed voices. The choice is shared by Speak and translation on this Mac.
- Use Preview Voice to listen to a sample.
- Choose Download Voices… to open macOS Accessibility → Read & Speak (Spoken Content on older macOS).
- Open System voice → Manage Voices or the information button. Download a named Enhanced or Premium voice where offered, then return to ActionClip.
The list refreshes on return. Automatic prefers Premium, then Enhanced, then Standard voices exposed to the app, excluding novelty voices. An explicit choice overrides Automatic. Speak detects the selected text's language; translated audio uses the target language. Voice preferences and playback stay on the Mac.
Why a downloaded Siri voice may be missing
Apple does not expose every voice in System Settings to apps. A Siri voice may be installed and selected in macOS but absent from ActionClip's voice picker. Downloading it again will not make an unavailable voice selectable. Choose a named Enhanced or Premium voice that appears in ActionClip. Voice downloads are separate from offline translation language packs.