Most multi-language email still runs on spreadsheets. Someone copies the English into a sheet, the translator works without seeing the email, a merge tag gets translated, a price changes, the subject line runs long in German, and the builder pastes it all back by hand. Next month the same footer gets translated, and paid for, again.
The Copy Bank does the whole loop in one place.
How it works
- Pull the copy out. Paste a preview link or the email's HTML. Every subject line, preheader, heading, paragraph, button and image description comes out in reading order, grouped by module. Nothing is dropped.
- Choose the languages. Anything your team has translated and approved before fills itself in straight away, so you only send out what's new.
- Send one link. One translator per language, or one link for a whole translation company with a tab for each language. Add a due date, instructions and, if you like, a password. Share it by email, or paste a ready-written message into Teams or Slack.
- They translate in the email. The sheet opens with what's needed (languages, word and module count, the date), checks spelling in their language, saves as they type, and shows the email beside them, changing into their language line by line.
- You approve, and it's in the campaign. See each email in each language, click any line to copy it into your email platform, approve, and add the language version to the campaign for sign-off.
Checks that spell-check can't do
- Merge tags:
{{ first_name }},*|FNAME|*and similar must survive untouched. Any that go missing are flagged. - Numbers: a price, date or code that's different from the original is flagged.
- Length: subject lines, preheaders and buttons that will be cut off are flagged as they're typed.
Always current
Translators can keep improving a language after sending it back. Every change is listed for the person who asked and the builder, with the module and the old and new wording, so nobody sends an out-of-date version. Translators can comment on any line, dated, and you can reply.
A library of every line you've sent
Every piece of copy goes into a searchable library. Search in English and see straight away which lines are already translated, and into which languages. Search in German or French and find the English. In Studio, insert copy from the library straight into a new mock-up.
Quebec and French-language emails
Under Quebec's Charter of the French Language, as amended by Bill 96, businesses must inform and serve customers in Quebec in French, and the Office québécois de la langue française treats commercial emails like other commercial publications. A version in another language can sit alongside the French, but the French has to be available on terms at least as favourable. In practice, most Canadian brands selling to Quebec send every campaign in French as well as English. The Copy Bank makes that a routine part of each campaign rather than a scramble: one link for your French translator, the email shown in French as they type, and an approved record. This isn't legal advice: see our guide to Canadian email law and take advice on your own situation.
Spanish and other languages in the US
Spanish is by far the most common language other than English spoken at home in the US. Teams sending to Spanish-speaking customers, or to customers across the Americas, use the Copy Bank to keep each campaign's Spanish in step with the English: same email, same checks, and nothing translated twice.
EDMs in more than one language
Around one in five Australians speaks a language other than English at home, and many brands send EDMs to customers across Asia-Pacific. The Copy Bank keeps every language version of an EDM in step, with the email shown in each language before it's approved.
Te reo Māori and other languages
More brands now include te reo Māori in their emails, from greetings to whole campaigns. The Copy Bank keeps each language version in step with the English, so a translator or reviewer sees exactly where their words sit in the email. Take care with appropriate use, and work with a qualified translator.
Ireland, the UK and Europe from one plan
Irish teams often send the same campaign to the UK and across Europe, and some brands include Irish (Gaeilge) in their emails. Plan each market's send in the campaign planner, send the copy to translators from the same campaign, and sign off each language version with the right approver.
One team, many markets
UK teams often send the same campaign to Ireland, Europe and further afield. Plan each market's send in the campaign planner, send the copy to translators from the same campaign, and sign off each language version with the right approver.
Just one language?
Switch translations off in settings and the Copy Bank stays as a searchable library of your copy, with nothing about languages in the way.
Pricing
The Copy Bank and translator links are included on every plan, including Free. Translators never need an account or a paid seat. See the pricing page.
Questions
Do translators need a Mailfois account?
No. They work from a private link with no account or seat. You can add a password and switch the link off at any time.
Can a translation agency use one link for several languages?
Yes. Send a team link with the languages you need, and each translator picks their language tab and adds their name, so you can see who did what.
Does it machine-translate the email?
No. It's built for human translators: it pulls the copy out, gives them the email for context, checks their work and reuses approved translations.
How is the price of a translation worked out?
Translators usually charge per word of the original. The link shows the word and module count, and there's a free email word counter too.
Does it work with my email platform?
Yes, with any of them. Bring an email in by preview link or HTML, and copy each language back into Klaviyo, Braze, Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp or anything else.