Smart Translation

Smart Translation is a dedicated workspace for translating arbitrary text using AI. It's a full-page, more flexible alternative to the inline word/sentence translator in the player.

When to Use It

Use the Smart Translation page when you want to:

• Translate a long passage (an article, email, message) in one go.
• Compare translations across different styles (literal, fluent, creative).
• Save translation history and revisit it later.
• Re-translate a previous request with a new style or language.

For translating single words or short subtitle lines, the inline translator in the player is faster.

The Workspace

The page is organized into three columns:

1. Input — Paste or type the text you want translated. The input is debounced before sending to the AI provider.
2. Settings — Choose:
   • Source language and target language (defaults come from your learning profile).
   • Translation style — e.g. literal, fluent, learning-friendly.
   • Custom prompt — Optional, free-form instructions appended to the AI request.
3. Result — The translated output, with the option to copy, edit, or save it.

Translation Styles

Each style changes the AI's behavior:

• Literal — Word-for-word, preserves structure. Best for studying grammar.
• Fluent — Natural-sounding in the target language. Best for understanding.
• Learning-friendly — Adds brief explanations for tricky phrases. Best for active study.

Switch styles to regenerate the result without re-entering the text.

History

All translations are stored in your local database (translations table) and the Rails backend. The history panel lists past translations sorted by recency.

• Click any entry to load the original text and result back into the workspace.
• Continue editing from a previous translation without losing the original.

AI Provider and Quota

The page uses your configured LLM provider (set in Settings → AI Services). If a provider fails or returns an error:

1. Check Settings → AI Services to confirm an active provider.
2. Check your remaining credits at Account → Credits.
3. Try a different provider if available.

Tips

• Long passages — Break very long input into paragraphs for clearer, more accurate results.
• Iterate with styles — Translate once with literal and again with fluent to see how meaning shifts.
• Save useful prompts — Once you find a custom prompt that works, keep it in a note for reuse.