AI Assist App which translates what I'm writing

aidunno said:
Hi,

I've difficulties caused by illness to write. Could you suggest me a browser extension (I supposed) that translate live what I'm writing? Thanks

P.S. I've got LanguageTool but it doesn't translate and it gives an error: "it can't reach https://api-fallback.languagetool.org/v2/check"

Thanks
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Hi aidunno,

Sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing—hope things improve soon. It sounds like you're looking for a browser extension that can provide real-time translation while you're typing (e.g., converting text from one language to another on the fly). LanguageTool is indeed more of a grammar and spell-checker, not a translator, so that explains why it doesn't fit. The error you're seeing ("can't reach https://api-fallback.languagetool.org/v2/check") could be due to a temporary network issue, ad-blocker interference, or server downtime—try disabling extensions or checking your connection, but if translation is your main goal, let's focus on that.

Here are a couple of solid browser extension suggestions that might help with live or near-real-time translation as you write (I'll assume Chrome/Firefox, but let me know your browser if it's different). These can translate selected text or even integrate into input fields:

1. DeepL Translate (Chrome/Firefox extension)
- This is excellent for high-quality, real-time translations. It lets you select text in any input field (like emails, forums, or docs) and translates it instantly via a shortcut or popup. It's not fully "auto-translate as you type" but very close for practical use. Supports many languages and feels natural.
- Download: Search for "DeepL Translate" in the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons.
- Why it might suit you: Accurate and fast, with a focus on context-aware translations.

2. Google Translate Extension (Chrome/Firefox)
- Google's official extension can translate selected text right in the browser. Highlight what you've written, right-click, and choose "Translate" for an instant popup. It also has options for webpage translation, but the text selection works great for composing messages.
- Download: "Google Translate" from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons.
- Tip: If you need something more integrated, pair it with Google Docs (via browser) for auto-translation features while typing.

If these don't quite hit the mark (e.g., if you need voice input or specific language pairs), could you clarify what languages you're translating between or if it's for a particular app/site? For example, if it's speech-to-text with translation, something like the built-in browser dictation (Chrome's "Voice typing" in Google Docs) combined with translation could work.

If you run into install issues or need setup help, feel free to share more details!
 
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I'm tired, even deepl extension said me "impossible traduce. retry later". I think i've got a misconfiguration of something. i think the problem is that i don't enable extension to function on all site but only on selected ones. Same thing happen with bitwarden, i searched online and found that i've to add a pair of url
 
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aidunno said:
Hi,

I've difficulties caused by illness to write. Could you suggest me a browser extension (I supposed) that translate live what I'm writing? Thanks

P.S. I've got LanguageTool but it doesn't translate and it gives an error: "it can't reach https://api-fallback.languagetool.org/v2/check"

Thanks
Click to expand...
What do you mean by "writing" - physically writing or typing?

If physically writing, what are you using to write on - a digital writing pen touchpad, a tablet, a tablet PC, or something else?

On Windows there is also "Voice typing" which can be enabled using WIN key + H.
 
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bazang said:
What do you mean by "writing" - physically writing or typing?

If physically writing, what are you using to write on - a digital writing pen touchpad, a tablet, a tablet PC, or something else?

On Windows there is also "Voice typing" which can be enabled using WIN key + H.
Click to expand...
Hey bazang,

Thanks for jumping in with those clarifying questions—that could really help narrow down what aidunno needs. And yeah, Windows Voice Typing (Win + H) is a solid built-in option if speech-to-text is part of the equation, especially for folks dealing with physical writing/typing challenges.

@aidunno, no worries about being tired—take it easy, and let's troubleshoot this step by step. Sounds like the DeepL extension is throwing a "impossible to translate, retry later" error (I'm guessing that's the rough translation of the message). That could stem from a few things, like temporary server issues on DeepL's end, your internet connection, or indeed extension permissions/site restrictions. The Bitwarden parallel makes sense—some extensions require explicit permissions for certain sites or features.

Here's what I'd suggest trying to get DeepL (or similar) working smoothly:

Quick Fixes for DeepL Extension Issues:
- Check Permissions: Right-click the DeepL icon in your browser toolbar, go to "Options" or "Manage Extension," and ensure it's allowed to "Read and change all your data on all websites" (or similar). If it's restricted to specific sites, add the ones you're using (e.g., for this forum, add MalwareTips Forums or whatever site you're typing on). Restart the browser after changes.
- Test Your Connection: The error sounds network-related, similar to your LanguageTool issue. Try disabling any VPN, ad-blocker (like uBlock Origin), or firewall temporarily to see if that's blocking API calls. Also, visit deepl.com directly in your browser—if it loads fine, the extension might just need a reinstall.
- Reinstall or Update: Uninstall the extension via your browser's extensions page, restart the browser, then reinstall from the Chrome Web Store/Firefox Add-ons. Make sure it's the official one from DeepL.
- Alternative Mode: If it's still flaky, use DeepL's web app (DeepL Translate: The world's most accurate translator) in a separate tab—type there, translate, then copy-paste. Not as "live" as the extension, but reliable.

If that doesn't cut it, could you share more details? Like your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.), the exact error message, and what languages you're translating between? That'll help pinpoint it.

And echoing bazang: What do you mean by "writing" here? Is it typing on a keyboard, handwriting with a stylus/tablet, or something else? If it's physical handwriting, tools like Google Keep or Microsoft OneNote with OCR (optical character recognition) could scan and translate, but voice options might be easier if fatigue is a factor.

Hang in there— we'll get this sorted!
 
bazang said:
What do you mean by "writing" - physically writing or typing?

If physically writing, what are you using to write on - a digital writing pen touchpad, a tablet, a tablet PC, or something else?

On Windows there is also "Voice typing" which can be enabled using WIN key + H.
Click to expand...
thanks. mentally. in this period i've diffuculty to think. i do errors by typing. so i think prefering to write in my mothertongue language. but i also think to write by speaking, so a speech to text app might help too. in this last case i don't need translation, i'll speak in english. thannk you
 
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aidunno said:
thanks. mentally. in this period i've diffuculty to think. i do errors by typing. so i think prefering to write in my mothertongue language. but i also think to write by speaking, so a speech to text app might help too. in this last case i don't need translation, i'll speak in english. thannk you
Click to expand...
@aidunno,

Thanks for clarifying—that makes total sense, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this mental fatigue; it sounds tough, but kudos for pushing through. So, to recap: You're looking to either type in your native language and have it translated live to English (to reduce errors from thinking in a second language), or use speech-to-text where you speak in English directly (no translation needed). Both are great approaches, especially if typing is error-prone right now.

Since bazang mentioned Windows Voice Typing (Win + H), that's a fantastic starting point—it's built-in, free, and works in most text fields (like this forum reply box). Let's build on that and add some extension-based options for translation or enhanced speech-to-text.

Option 1: Typing in Your Native Language with Live Translation
If you want to compose in your mother tongue and translate on the fly:
- Stick with DeepL Translate extension (as I suggested before). Once we fix the "impossible to translate" error, you can type in your language, select the text, and hit the translate shortcut (usually Ctrl+Shift+S or similar—check the extension settings). It should swap it to English instantly.
- For the error: Try the troubleshooting steps I mentioned last time (permissions, reinstall, disable ad-blockers). If it's still acting up, what browser are you using? We can dig deeper.
- Alternative: Google Translate extension. It has a similar select-and-translate feature, and it's often more reliable for quick fixes. Install it, type in your language, highlight, and translate.

Option 2: Speech-to-Text (Speaking in English)
This could be even better for reducing mental strain—no typing at all!
- Windows Voice Typing (Built-in): As bazang said, press Win + H in any text field (e.g., here on the forum, in Word, emails). Speak clearly in English, and it'll transcribe live. It supports punctuation commands like "period" or "new line." Test it out—it's surprisingly accurate and learns your voice over time. (Requires Windows 10/11 and a mic.)
- Browser Extensions for Enhanced Speech-to-Text:
- Voice In (Chrome/Firefox): Great for dictating directly into web forms. Free version works well; premium adds more features. It uses Google's speech recognition, so English support is top-notch. Download from the Chrome Web Store.
- Dictation.io (Web-based): Not an extension, but a free site (Dictation - Online Speech Recognition) where you can speak, get text, then copy-paste. Supports English and many accents.
- If you're on a phone/tablet sometimes, apps like Google Assistant or Otter.ai are awesome for voice notes that you can export.

If speech-to-text feels like the way to go, give Win + H a shot right now and let us know how it performs. For translation, specify your native language if you can—that might help recommend better tools (e.g., if it's not well-supported by DeepL). And if none of this clicks, are you open to full apps outside the browser, like Microsoft Translator or something integrated with Office?

We're here to help—feel free to reply with how these work out, even if it's just a quick voice-typed note! Take care.
 
aidunno said:
thanks. mentally. in this period i've diffuculty to think. i do errors by typing. so i think prefering to write in my mothertongue language. but i also think to write by speaking, so a speech to text app might help too. in this last case i don't need translation, i'll speak in english. thannk you
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Very sorry you must endure this.
 
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Bot said:
@aidunno,

Thanks for clarifying—that makes total sense, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this mental fatigue; it sounds tough, but kudos for pushing through. So, to recap: You're looking to either type in your native language and have it translated live to English (to reduce errors from thinking in a second language), or use speech-to-text where you speak in English directly (no translation needed). Both are great approaches, especially if typing is error-prone right now.

Since bazang mentioned Windows Voice Typing (Win + H), that's a fantastic starting point—it's built-in, free, and works in most text fields (like this forum reply box). Let's build on that and add some extension-based options for translation or enhanced speech-to-text.

Option 1: Typing in Your Native Language with Live Translation
If you want to compose in your mother tongue and translate on the fly:
- Stick with DeepL Translate extension (as I suggested before). Once we fix the "impossible to translate" error, you can type in your language, select the text, and hit the translate shortcut (usually Ctrl+Shift+S or similar—check the extension settings). It should swap it to English instantly.
- For the error: Try the troubleshooting steps I mentioned last time (permissions, reinstall, disable ad-blockers). If it's still acting up, what browser are you using? We can dig deeper.
- Alternative: Google Translate extension. It has a similar select-and-translate feature, and it's often more reliable for quick fixes. Install it, type in your language, highlight, and translate.

Option 2: Speech-to-Text (Speaking in English)
This could be even better for reducing mental strain—no typing at all!
- Windows Voice Typing (Built-in): As bazang said, press Win + H in any text field (e.g., here on the forum, in Word, emails). Speak clearly in English, and it'll transcribe live. It supports punctuation commands like "period" or "new line." Test it out—it's surprisingly accurate and learns your voice over time. (Requires Windows 10/11 and a mic.)
- Browser Extensions for Enhanced Speech-to-Text:
- Voice In (Chrome/Firefox): Great for dictating directly into web forms. Free version works well; premium adds more features. It uses Google's speech recognition, so English support is top-notch. Download from the Chrome Web Store.
- Dictation.io (Web-based): Not an extension, but a free site (Dictation - Online Speech Recognition) where you can speak, get text, then copy-paste. Supports English and many accents.
- If you're on a phone/tablet sometimes, apps like Google Assistant or Otter.ai are awesome for voice notes that you can export.

If speech-to-text feels like the way to go, give Win + H a shot right now and let us know how it performs. For translation, specify your native language if you can—that might help recommend better tools (e.g., if it's not well-supported by DeepL). And if none of this clicks, are you open to full apps outside the browser, like Microsoft Translator or something integrated with Office?

We're here to help—feel free to reply with how these work out, even if it's just a quick voice-typed note! Take care.
Click to expand...
deepl error is th same. bitwarden says failed to fetch. problem is i don't allow extensions on every sites. with bitwarden i found the solution on the web, but with deepl i don't know.
 
aidunno said:
deepl error is th same. bitwarden says failed to fetch. problem is i don't allow extensions on every sites. with bitwarden i found the solution on the web, but with deepl i don't know.
Click to expand...
@aidunno,

Got it—thanks for the update. It definitely sounds like a permissions or site-access issue with the DeepL extension, similar to what you ran into with Bitwarden. Since you fixed Bitwarden by adding specific URLs (probably allowing it on certain domains via its settings), we can try something analogous for DeepL. Extensions like these often need broad permissions to make API calls or function on all sites, but if yours are restricted, that could block the translation servers.

Assuming you're on Chrome (let me know if it's Firefox or another browser, as steps might vary slightly), here's how to tweak DeepL's permissions:

Step-by-Step Fix for DeepL Permissions:
1. Open Extension Settings: Click the puzzle piece icon in your browser toolbar (extensions menu), find DeepL Translate, right-click it, and select "Manage extension" (or go to chrome://extensions/ and click "Details" under DeepL).
2. Check Site Access: Look for the "Site access" or "Permissions" section. It should have options like:
- "On click" (only activates when you click the icon)
- "On specific sites" (lets you add URLs)
- "On all sites" (full access, which is often needed for API-reliant features)
Switch it to "On all sites" if possible—this should allow DeepL to connect to its servers regardless of where you're typing.
3. Add Specific URLs if Needed: If "On specific sites" is your preference, add the sites where you want to use it, like:
- The forum URL: MalwareTips Forums
- DeepL's API domain: DeepL Translate: The world's most accurate translator (or if you can find the exact API endpoint, something like api.deepl.com—check DeepL's help docs or extension options for clues).
For Bitwarden, you mentioned adding a "pair of URLs"; maybe it's similar here. If DeepL has a settings page within the extension (click the icon and look for options), there might be a section to whitelist domains or APIs.
4. Save and Test: After changes, restart your browser, type some text in your native language, select it, and try translating. If the error persists, temporarily disable other extensions (especially security ones like ad-blockers or VPNs) to rule out conflicts.
5. Reinstall as a Last Resort: If no luck, remove and reinstall the extension fresh—sometimes that resets permissions.

If this doesn't resolve it, could you share the exact error message from DeepL (in its original language if it's not English) and your browser/version? That might help search for a specific fix. In the meantime, as a workaround, use the DeepL website directly (DeepL Translator)—type there, translate, and copy-paste into your forum post or wherever. It's not "live" in the extension sense, but it bypasses any browser restrictions.

For the speech-to-text side, have you tried Win + H yet? That might sidestep the extension issues entirely if you can speak in English comfortably.

Let me know how it goes—we'll crack this! Take it easy.
 
bazang said:
Very sorry you must endure this.
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@bazang and @aidunno,

Absolutely, echoing the sentiment—it's tough going through something like this, and we're all rooting for you, aidunno. If there's anything else we can suggest or troubleshoot (like fine-tuning those speech-to-text options or translation extensions), just let us know. No rush—take your time.
 

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