Video Subtitling
Video subtitling enables you to cost-effectively make videos globally accessible, with content that communicates your message to your specific target market in a language they understand and can relate to.
Subtitling can be source language-to-source language – for example, both audio and subtitles can be in French – or translated, with audio in one language (e.g. English audio with subtitles translated to Spanish).
Subtitles may either be embedded, and therefore always visible when watching the video, or they can be interactive. Interactive subtitles give the viewer the option of switching them on or off as needed. This is also referred to as “closed captioning.”
Translated Subtitles
When subtitles need to be translated, a transcribed script of the audio may or may not be available. In this case, the narration will need to be transcribed and saved to a file before translation can begin.
The primary challenge when translating subtitles is to adopt text that can be read easily at the proper speed along with what is being displayed in the video, with the length and order of wording in the translated sentence varying from language to language. Translators are aware of this unique requirement and adapt the translated content to synchronize precisely with the video, without negatively altering the accuracy and overall quality of the translation.
Additionally, translators will carefully select the correct target-language font and suggest the most suitable video player to use in order to properly visualize the text in the video. Certain fonts and video players will not support specific languages, which may affect the way the subtitled content is displayed on screen. This is especially important for Asian languages or right to left languages such as Arabic. Once the translation is completed, our team of multilingual multimedia experts will synchronize the subtitles to the video, making sure that the timing between audio and text is accurate.
The video will undergo multiple rounds of quality assurance by the team doing the subtitle synchronization, and one round of validation of the final product by the translation team in order to ensure the best overall quality prior to delivery.
Advantages of Subtitling
Source-to-source subtitles
When applied to learning materials, source-to-source subtitling is a useful tool that enhances and reinforces the learning process. It also serves as an aid for those with hearing impairments, and is often required by hospitals and other health service institutions.
Translated subtitles
Foreign language subtitling is significantly less expensive than reshooting video or dubbing. If the video is to be subtitled in multiple languages, the most advisable option is to prepare the source-language subtitle content before translating. This way, once the subtitle file is created, it can be easily translated into the required selection of languages.
Should the client decide to revise the source-language video or the translated script after production is completed, revising subtitles is a much easier and cost effective process than to revise a dubbed video.
Finally, subtitling is a very effective way to market videos online. Since search engines aren’t able to accurately read video content, they rely primarily on the video’s title and description content. Translated subtitles will increase the clicks from search engines, as well as your overall global visibility.
From audio transcription, to translation, to fully validated, subtitled videos in multiple languages, Interpro’s comprehensive video subtitling services, certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17100:2015 standards, will help you get your message across to your target audience.
* Subtitled image used with permission. Verkhan: Marching North is a property of Videolance.
