How does automatic translation work in Discord channels?

Which messages get translated?

BabelBot checks whether translations are on, whether the channel allows them, and whether the message contains text worth translating. A normal sentence is a better test than a message containing only a URL or an emoji.

For normal automatic translation, BabelBot detects the source language. The target languages come from the server settings or a channel rule. The dashboard also has a "Don't translate from" setting for languages you want to leave alone. This exclusion does not control bridge traffic.

Where does the translation appear?

Reply in channel puts the translation underneath the conversation as a reply. You can choose a styled embed or plain text. With several target languages, the output includes more translated text, so check how that looks in a busy channel.

Reply in threads groups translations in a thread attached to the message. If someone is already talking inside a thread or a forum post, BabelBot replies there. Discord does not support creating a thread inside another thread.

Replace the original posts a webhook message, then removes the member's original message after successful delivery. With one target language, the replacement shows the translation only. With several targets, it includes the original and the translations. This needs Manage Webhooks and Manage Messages, plus the normal channel access and messaging permissions. Choosing the setting does not grant those permissions.

What happens when AI allowance runs out?

On Free, Pro, and Ultra, supported plain text can continue through BabelBot's in-house translator after the AI allowance runs out. Targets marked "AI only" still need AI allowance. Attachments and features such as custom words have different requirements.

A result that BabelBot cannot deliver does not count as a successful delivered translation. The billing guide explains the current allowances and how different features count toward them.

What changes in a bridged channel?

A bridge gives messages an explicit route between linked channels. BabelBot uses the language assigned to the source channel and sends translated messages to the linked destinations.

A channel rule that disables normal automatic translations does not stop a configured bridge. If you want to stop relaying between language channels, remove the bridge itself.

What should you check if nothing appears?

Check the server switch, target languages, and channel rules first. Then check the bot permissions in the channel you are testing. A private channel can have different permissions from the rest of the server.

Send a sentence in a different language from the target. If ordinary text works but an attachment does not, check the plan and file requirements for that attachment. Use the troubleshooting guide if the result still does not match the settings.