All You Need to Know About Subtitling!

Almost all video content you consume online is captioned or has subtitles. With subtitles, it becomes significantly easier to recreate and express communicative contexts.

Studies suggest that the average person spent a whopping 100 minutes watching online video content every day in 2021!

As a result of this surge in online video consumption, subtitling has become one of the most common modes of regular audiovisual translation.

Understanding everything about subtitling can be a great way to inculcate an appreciation for all things visual.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about this lucrative audiovisual translation!

In Simple Terms - What is Subtitling?

Subtitling is the process of adding text to audio-visual media with the intent to express the message verbally. Essentially, subtitles are considered a written version of spoken audio.

Subtitles work wonders in helping people read and understand what is said, even if the language spoken is unknown. It also becomes significantly easier to grasp the subtleties contained in verbal communication with subtitles.

Subtitles display as 1 or 2 lines of text that flash in quick 2-4 second bursts. These align with the speech conveyed.

Therefore, good subtitles allow an audience to read and understand the content alongside enjoying the visuals!

Why are Subtitles Important?

You may be likely to take subtitles for granted without understanding their vital role in audiovisual communication.

Subtitles are a great way to attract an international audience. Without subtitles, it is unlikely that an individual will find a video when they conduct a query. Even if they do, it is doubtful that they will watch the video as they may not comprehend the language.

Another essential role that subtitles play is in the realm of search engine optimization (SEO). Subtitles are an additional means for search engines to read videos, which help attain a much better ranking based on particular keywords used.

Search engines cannot view videos. However, they can recognize the text material associated with a video, including the words that form subtitles.

A good subtitle translation agency will ensure that a video’s subtitles use the right keywords, helping content rank better in search engines.

What is the Process of Creating Subtitles?

The creation of subtitles can be one step ahead of regular translation. There are two critical components to creating good subtitles:

• There is a direct translation of dialogue and placement in the lower part of the screen.
• An understanding of time & space restrictions to better enhance quality.

A translator needs to be able to comprehend the context of translation. It is the translator's responsibility to ensure that the original message is not altered and is conveyed as clearly as possible to the target audience.

Subtitles do not restrict the text of the script. Images and audios placed at a defined time & space are considered. Once the subtitles are translated, the translator can edit the content again to ensure quality standards are adhered to.

Additionally, a translator should also be able to keep positioning, space, number of characters, and reading speed in mind when creating subtitles.

Which Industries Employ Subtitling Services?

Believe it or not, subtitling services employ across several different industries. These include:

1. Engineering & Technical Industry

As of current times, information access is everywhere because of significant advances in technology. The engineering & technical industries seek to understand how data can be accessible to individuals living in different parts of the world.

Therefore, engineering subtitling helps viewers understand the nuances of different technical processes & instructions.

2. E-Learning Industry

Post the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant portion of the education industry has shifted online. For this very reason, web applications and e-learning modules add subtitles to their videos.

The added subtitles enhance the learning experience with audio-visual stimuli. Subtitles can also help students build foundational concepts if the video is not of good quality.

Students who are compromised auditorily can also benefit from this by searching engines based on appropriate keywords to find visual-friendly content.

3. Media, Advertising, and Entertainment Industry

Arguably one of the most critical industries leveraging subtitles technology is the entertainment industry. Subtitles assist in increasing the quality of videos.

Good subtitles are also crucial to translating messages in a manner most suited to a target audience. Several recognized advertising agencies use subtitles on social media to better engage with their clients and customers.

We at Language Services Bureau are renowned for the quality of our audio-visual translation services. With the right expertise and knowledge, we provide cost-effective and high translation standards for all your requirements!

Click here to learn more about the services we provide!