AI receptionist · For businesses evaluating 3CTel
Does the AI receptionist speak French?
Yes. The AI receptionist works in English and French. It can greet callers bilingually and continue in whichever language they reply in, or open in one language with an option to switch. Bookings, answers and messages work the same way in both, and transcripts are produced in the language the caller used. You choose which language leads for each number or location.
How language is chosen on a call
There are three common set-ups. A bilingual greeting, such as "Thank you for calling, bonjour", after which the AI follows the caller's first sentence. A French-first greeting for Quebec or Ottawa-Gatineau numbers with a switch to English on request. Or an English-first greeting with a French option, which suits businesses with a mostly English clientele and some French callers.
If a caller switches language part-way through, the AI follows. It does not ask them to press a key or start over.
What works in French
- Greetings, questions and answers you provide, translated or written directly in French.
- Appointment booking, including dates, times and confirmations read back in French.
- Message taking, with the transcript delivered in French.
- Transfers, with the handoff announcement in the language the person receiving the call prefers.
- Business hours, holiday and closure messages.
Getting the French right
Write your French script the way your team speaks to clients, not as a literal translation of the English. A 3CTel specialist reviews both versions with you and you hear them on a temporary number before launch. Keep product and service names consistent across languages so bookings land on the right service.
If you have separate French and English numbers, each can have its own greeting and default language while sharing the same rules and transfer targets.
Related questions.
Will the French sound natural?
The voice is designed for Canadian French and the script is yours, so it sounds like your business. Listen to it on the test number and adjust any phrasing that feels off; changes take effect immediately.
Can my team receive transfers and messages in their own language?
Yes. Each person can receive announcements and message notifications in English or French regardless of what the caller spoke, and the transcript stays in the caller's language.
Are other languages available?
English and French are the supported languages today. If you need another language, mention it during planning so the specialist can discuss options such as routing those callers to a bilingual staff member.
Last updated:
Not a 3CTel customer yet? See your recommended setup in four short steps.
Build My Phone System