How to Translate TikTok Videos with Maestra in 8 Steps

2024-09-09
Serra Ardem

Language has the power to unlock new horizons, especially in the dynamic world of TikTok. The platform continues to grow day by day, and creators who translate their content into multiple languages can seize this opportunity to bridge gaps, gain new followers, and increase their impact in this realm.

In this blog, we will:

Highlight the various benefits of translating TikTok videos
Share how to translate TikTok videos with Maestra step-by-step
List 10 best practices on how to translate TikTok videos for maximum effect

Let’s get started.

Why should you translate TikTok videos?

Whether you’re a creator or viewer, learning how to translate TikTok videos can benefit you in various ways.

Creators can:	Audiences can:
-Reach a broader audience by making content accessible in different languages. -Offer translated captions or audio to connect with non-native speakers and boost engagement. -Promote inclusivity by catering to the needs of diverse audiences. -Unlock more monetization opportunities in global markets. -Analyze and learn from competitors’ translated content to gain insights and stay competitive.	-Learn a new language in a fun way by watching translated content. -Understand cultural references or jokes that otherwise might be lost. -Explore diverse perspectives from creators worldwide. -Support favorite creators by understanding their content better. -Access niche content that might be popular in another language.

How to Translate TikTok Videos with Maestra

First things first: Does TikTok have a built-in audio translation feature? The answer is no. While TikTok can auto translate text like captions, descriptions, and comments, it cannot currently translate audio from videos. As of September 2024, you need a third-party tool like Maestra, which supports 125+ languages, for translating TikTok video content.

If you have a TikTok Business account, you can directly access Maestra via TikTok App Center without needing a separate Maestra account. Just log in to your business account in the App Center, find Maestra under “Creative”, and click “Install”. You will then be directed to Maestra’s main interface.

Here is how to translate TikTok videos with Maestra’s AI video translator step-by-step:

1. Log in to your Maestra account.

2. Go to “Voiceover” from the left-side menu and click “+New Voiceover”.

3. A pop-up window will appear. Upload the video file. Then select its audio language, and the target language, which is the language you’d like the audio to be translated into. Click “Submit”.

(If you don’t have the video on your device, you can use a third-party tool like SaveTT or SnapTik to download it. All you have to do is copy and paste the TikTok video’s URL to the tool’s search bar. The tool will process the link, allowing you to save the video directly to your device.)

4. Maestra will instantly process your video. Click on it once it is ready. You will be directed to the editing interface. On the left side, you can see the video transcript in both languages.

5. Now click “Synthesize Audio”. You will see a diverse range of AI voices in your target language, which are marked in bold. Try them out and pick the one that best suits the video’s tone and style.

*If you’re a Maestra Premium or Enterprise user, you can utilize the “Voice Cloning” feature, which allows you to translate your TikTok videos in your own voice. With this method, you will not only preserve the authenticity of your content but also maintain consistency and strengthen your brand identity.

6. Once you choose the AI voice, click “Synthesize”. The “Synthesize Audio” button will turn green. Click the play button to listen to the voiceover.

-Maestra has a very high accuracy rate but if you want to change or fix words, you can edit the transcript and click “Synthesize Audio” again.
-If you want to change the AI voice, just click “Edit Speaker Voices” and choose another one.
-If you have a Premium subscription, you can utilize “AI Tools”, which includes a social media caption generator.

7. When you are ready, click “Export” in the top right corner and choose “Media”. Make sure the “Export with voiceover” option is selected. You can also check “Export with subtitles” if you want to add subtitles to the video. Lastly, choose “MP4” and you are ready to go.

8. Click “Download Video”.

Simple as that. The translated video is now downloaded to your device.

*Maestra’s free trial does not require an account or credit card. However, it comes with a limit on file sizes.

*Adding a transcript to your video can significantly improve accessibility, as it is a valuable resource for not only non-native speakers but also deaf and hard of hearing viewers. During export, you can choose “Transcript” and download the text in both source and target languages.

Translate TikTok Videos Instantly

Unlock global reach if you’re a creator, or simply enjoy diverse content around the world if you’re a viewer.

Start translating now

10 Best Practices for Translating TikTok Videos

Now you’ve learned how to translate TikTok videos with Maestra, let’s take a look at the best practices you can adopt for making the most of your translations:

Ensure high audio quality. This is essential for the software to accurately process and translate the content, as poor audio quality can lead to errors in transcription and translation.
Consider language proficiency. Adjust the complexity of your language to match the fluency level of your target audience.
Check for accuracy. AI is very powerful yet not totally perfect, so always review the content to make sure the message remains intact in the target language.
Pay attention to cultural nuances. Consider cultural sensitivities of your target audience and adapt your content accordingly if necessary.
Make sure audio and visuals are synchronized. Translated audio and visuals elements should be seamlessly aligned for a cohesive experience.
Add subtitles and text overlays for better clarity. Additionally, consider inserting closed captions to enhance the user experience, especially in regions where silent viewing is common.
Identify relevant keywords in the target language. Include them in video description and hashtags to rank higher in regional searches.
Follow trends in the target region. Keep track of what’s on demand there to make your content more appealing to local audiences.
Maintain consistency in your translated videos. Keep your messaging and visual identity in harmony with your overall brand to build trust and recognition.
Track performance and optimize. Analyze engagement metrics and viewer feedback to refine your translation approach over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change caption language on TikTok?

To change the caption language on TikTok, go to your profile and tap three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Tap “Settings and privacy” and scroll down to the “Language” option. Toggle “Always translate posts” option on, which will translate captions and comments into your desired language. You can choose the language you want from the “Translate into” option.

How do I turn subtitles on TikTok?

To turn subtitles on TikTok, go to a video and long press on the screen. A menu will pop up below; tap the “Captions” option. Then toggle “Show captions (auto-generated)” on. Now, subtitles will be displayed on videos with speech.

Can TikTok transcribe?

TikTok has a built-in auto captions feature but it cannot provide a downloadable transcript of the video. If you need a complete transcript, you can use Maestra to convert video to text instantly. All you need to do is upload the video file and select its audio language. Supporting 125+ languages, Maestra will transcribe the video accurately, helping to improve both accessibility and discoverability of the content.

How do I switch languages on TikTok?

To change the language of the TikTok app, go to your profile, tap three horizontal lines in the top right corner, and then “Settings and privacy”. Scroll down to find “Language”. Select “App language”, and choose your desired language from the list. The interface will now appear in the language you’ve chosen.

Why can’t I translate TikTok captions?

This might be due to several reasons. The caption language may not be supported by TikTok’s translation tool. Additionally, captions added by the creator, rather than TikTok’s auto-generated captions, may not be translatable. You should also check if your app is updated to the latest version, as an outdated app may prevent access to the translation feature.

Summary

This blog provided a tutorial on how to translate TikTok videos with Maestra, and 10 best practices you can adopt during this process. It also emphasized the benefits of this strategy both for creators and viewers who want to break language barriers.

Whether you’re a content creator or a member of the audience, here are the 3 golden rules you must follow when translating TikTok videos:

Adapt your translated content to cultural sensitivities to avoid potential misunderstandings or offense.
Pair your translations with subtitles and closed captions to improve accessibility and enhance the viewing experience.
Insert relevant keywords into the translated content so regional audiences easily discover and engage with your videos.

Embrace these practices, and you will connect more deeply with diverse audiences while maximizing your impact on TikTok’s global stage.

About Serra Ardem

Serra Ardem is a freelance writer and editor based in Istanbul. For the last 8 years, she has been collaborating with brands and businesses to tell their unique story and develop their verbal identity.