# Change the language you dictate in

Source: https://help.contextli.com/articles/change-the-transcription-language

Open **Settings > General** and choose the language you will speak under **Transcription Language**. Contextli does not detect the language automatically, so set it to the language you actually talk in.

## Change the language

1. Click **Settings** at the bottom of the sidebar.
2. On the **General** tab, under **Recording**, find **Transcription Language** ("Choose the language you'll be speaking in.").
3. Pick your language from the list. You will see **Language Updated** when it is saved.

![Settings, General tab: recording mode, keyboard shortcut, microphone and transcription language](https://cdn.kamaan.io/kamaan/sites/6ae9f572170cd8d9857a277c/images/contextli-settings-general-recording.webp)

You also choose a language during setup on the **Let's Get You Set Up** screen. Changing it later in Settings replaces that choice.

## If you speak more than one language

Contextli transcribes in the language you selected. If you switch to another language for a while, change the setting first. Dictating in a language other than the selected one gives poor results.

## Get names and terms right

- Add names, brands and jargon to **Dictionary > Vocabulary** so Contextli hears them correctly.
- Use a good microphone and pick it in **Settings > General > Microphone**.

See [Improve accuracy for names and technical terms](/articles/improve-accuracy-for-names-and-terms).

## Troubleshooting

- **Text comes out in the wrong language or as gibberish**: check that **Transcription Language** matches what you speak.
- **The language setting is different on another computer**: settings like this are saved per device. Set it on each computer.

## Related articles

- [Improve accuracy for names and technical terms](/articles/improve-accuracy-for-names-and-terms)
- [Dictate your first message](/articles/dictate-your-first-message)
- [Turn Polished Transcription on or off](/articles/turn-on-polished-transcription)