How to change the dictation language on Mac

Set the language for Apple Dictation

These settings apply to Apple’s built-in Dictation, not MindType. Availability varies by language and region.

1. Open the Apple menu, then System Settings and Keyboard.
2. Find Dictation and turn it on if needed.
3. Click Edit beside Languages. Select your language and region, adding other languages if needed.

Source: Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac

Select the active language in a draft

Use manual selection here; do not assume automatic mixed-language recognition or translation.

1. Place the cursor in an editable document and choose Edit, then Start Dictation.
2. If multiple languages are configured, click the language indicator beside the cursor and choose one.
3. Speak a short sentence, then press Escape to stop and inspect the text.

Source: Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac

Try a short language-check exercise

Use a disposable draft rather than an email addressed to someone. This is a fictional practice exercise, not a tested result or an accuracy benchmark.

Choose a language you know well. Prepare one ordinary sentence in that language containing a person’s name, a weekday and a time. For an English-language exercise, you could use: Please tell Mira that our meeting is on Thursday at ten.

Your goal is to check the selected language before committing to a longer draft. Do not judge the whole setup from one unusual name.

1. Write down the intended sentence so you have a reference.
2. Dictate it once using the language-selection steps above.
3. Compare the wording with your reference, checking the name, weekday and time separately.
4. To check a second configured language, repeat the exercise with a fresh sentence in that language.
5. Correct the draft as needed; do not send the practice text.

Troubleshoot recognition in the wrong language

Apple’s troubleshooting checks include Dictation being enabled, language or dialect selection, the configured shortcut, and microphone input.

Standard Dictation is unavailable while Voice Control is on.

1. If recognition uses the wrong language, recheck the active language and region.
2. If Dictation does not start, confirm its configured shortcut in Keyboard settings.
3. If speech is not being picked up, check the microphone selection and input volume.
4. Repeat your short exercise after changing one setting. Note what changed so you can distinguish a language-selection issue from a sound-input issue.
5. If only a name or specialist term is wrong, correct it manually and review the surrounding meaning before continuing.

Source: Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac · Apple: If Dictation on Mac doesn’t work as expected

Keep MindType’s workflow separate

MindType is a separate voice-typing app available for Mac and Windows, with writing cleanup and optional Screen Awareness. It offers a configurable shortcut and inserts text at the cursor. Apple Dictation’s language settings are not instructions for configuring MindType.

Do not assume that a language available in Apple Dictation is also supported by another app. Check the app’s current language options before planning a multilingual draft.

When trying another dictation tool, use the same short practice exercise before starting a longer draft. Review the inserted text before sending or sharing it.

Source: MindType: Voice typing for Mac and Windows