Why does Mac dictation type in the wrong language?

Mac dictation types in the language that is active when you speak. If you speak a different language, you get words in the wrong language or text that makes no sense. Apple's troubleshooting checklist says to choose the correct language and region when Dictation does not work as expected ¹. Start with that check, then use the rest of this page to find which mismatch you have.

The active language decides what Dictation writes

Dictation writes in the language you have active, and Apple's guide treats that language as a setting you change yourself. You can change the language you dictate in, and you can switch between languages as you go. The guide does not say that Dictation detects your language from your voice, so do not count on that. If your active language is English and you speak German, expect English-language text, not a German transcript.

The active language is shown in the Dictation control next to the cursor while you dictate. Apple says that languages are displayed as abbreviations or characters that represent the language ², so read that label before you speak.

Three mismatches cause the usual wrong-language results

The usual cases fit one of three patterns. Check them in this order.

1. The language you need was never added. Dictation can only use languages you have added. To add one, go to Dictation, click Edit next to Languages, then select a language and region ³. If your language is not in the list, you have not added it yet.

2. More than one language is set up, and the wrong one is active. Once you have two or more languages, you choose which one is active. You switch it by clicking the language next to the cursor, or by pressing the Globe key if your keyboard has one, and then choosing the language you want ². Check the label each time you start a session.

3. The region is wrong. Apple lists each language with its region. The main list has 63 language and regional variants on macOS 27 ⁴, so a language can appear under several regions. Choose the region you actually speak in.

When the language is not on Apple's list

Apple says Dictation "is not available in all languages or regions, and features may vary" ⁵. If your language does not appear after you click Edit, Apple's Dictation may not support it on your Mac. Our guide to Apple Dictation languages on Mac lists the variants and the features each one has, so you can check your language before you spend time on the settings.

What to do

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar ⁶, then go to Dictation.
2. Click Edit next to Languages. Select the language and region you speak, and deselect any you do not use, so the switch list stays short.
3. Before you speak, click the language next to the cursor, or press the Globe key, and choose the language you want.
4. Dictate a short test sentence and check the output before you write more.

Apple's menu names can change between macOS versions, so if a name in these steps does not match your screen, follow the same path and look for the closest label.

If the text is garbled rather than in the wrong language

Sometimes the language is right and the output is still poor, with words that sound like the speech but are wrong. In that case, check the microphone before you change the language. Apple advises that the Mac's microphone should not be obstructed by objects, such as clothing or your body, while you speak ⁷. For microphone choice, see how to change the microphone Mac dictation uses, and for a full set of checks, see why Mac dictation is not working.

If you speak two languages in one sentence, switching may not solve the problem. That case has its own answer in the question on two languages at once. For Chinese specifically, see how to dictate in Chinese on a Mac.