In this guide, we’re going to show you how to translate and localize your existing videos quickly and easily.

What’s covered in this guide

In this guide, we’ll cover:

1. The importance of translating and localizing your videos
2. How to upload your video file
3. How to select the language for your translation
4. How to review and submit your video in the target language

Intro to translating and localizing your videos

Why is translating and localizing your videos so important?

By making your videos accessible in multiple languages, you can expand your reach, improve audience engagement, and build stronger connections with viewers across the world. Localization also helps adapt your content to different cultures, making it feel more relevant and personalized.

How to upload your video file

Before uploading your video, it’s important to make sure the video meets our recommended guidelines. Video Translate performs best when there are a maximum of two speakers visible on the screen. It’s best that speakers directly face the screen or are no greater than 45 degrees from facing head-on. This will help HeyGen accurately capture audio and lip sync. 

Also, make sure there is very little background noise in the video.

In HeyGen, click ‘Create Video’ and then select ‘Video Translation.’

You’ll then be given the option to upload your video file from your computer or insert a Google Drive or YouTube link. Next, click ‘Create new translation.’

Select the language for translation

Follow the provided prompts. You’ll notice that your language will be auto-detected. If for some reason the system chooses the wrong language, you can reset it. Then, select the target language for the new translated video.

Once you click ‘Confirm submission,’ the translation process will begin, and the translated video will become available in your library.

Review your video in the target language

When your video has been processed, carefully review the translation.

If you like what you see, you can download your video with or without captions. If you’d like to download it with captions, slide the caption button over and click ‘Download Video.”

If you don’t want captions, ignore the captions button and click ‘Download Video.’ You can also share your video via the ‘Share’ button.

Congratulations! You’ve just expanded your video’s reach across different languages and cultures.

Common issues and solutions

Incorrect or unnatural translations

While AI translation is advanced, it occasionally produces errors or lacks natural fluency. HeyGen’s Script Proofread feature, available in Enterprise accounts, enables users to refine and adjust translations for greater accuracy and coherence.

Grammar errors and gender inconsistencies

AI translation may sometimes misapply grammar rules or incorrectly reflect grammatical gender. With Proofread, users can make precise adjustments to ensure linguistic accuracy.

Words not translated

Certain words might remain untranslated in the output. Proofread allows users to identify and correct these omissions before finalizing the project.

Voice doesn’t sound like the speaker

The similarity of the cloned voice depends on the input quality. Using clean, high-quality audio ensures better results. Enterprise users can create refined voice clones and assign them in Proofread for enhanced accuracy.

Inconsistent voice

Consistency can be affected by background noise or variations in input quality. By using clear audio and leveraging Enterprise features, users can achieve more uniform voice cloning.

Inaccurate accent or pronunciation

Incorrect accents or mispronunciations can detract from the overall quality. Enterprise users can adjust phonetics or punctuation in Proofread to refine these aspects.

Incorrect voice assignment

Misassigned voices can be rectified in Proofread, ensuring the correct voice is applied consistently throughout the project.

Incorrect voice recognition

Issues such as simultaneous speaking or overly short speech segments may hinder recognition accuracy. Providing clean, distinct input improves results.

Glitches and video-audio mismatch

Glitches or timing discrepancies often stem from input quality. To minimize these issues:

1. Avoid obstructing the face with objects or accessories.
2. Limit rapid head movements and ensure a frontal position.
3. Use HeyGen’s Dynamic Duration feature to align audio and video timing.

Lip-sync issues

Poor lip sync can result from factors such as:

1. Large-angle head movements or rapid scene cuts.
2. Small face sizes in the video frame.
3. Following HeyGen’s best practices and using Dynamic Duration ensures smoother synchronization.

Lip-sync errors on incorrect speaker or image

Ensuring proper alignment between the voice and visuals requires clean inputs and adherence to best practices outlined above.

Incorrect rise/fall pitch

Pitch discrepancies can often be corrected by adjusting punctuation in Proofread, enabling precise control over intonation.

Inappropriate pauses

Unnatural pauses can disrupt the flow of content. Proofread allows users to manually adjust or add pauses for smoother delivery.