Subtitling
Subtitling is a type of audiovisual translation that has its own rules and specifications. It is a translation that has restrictions and certain criteria which directly affect the final result. Transladiem localizes existing subtitles and create them when it is required.
The space which we have in our translation is limited to 2 lines of subtitles. Each line contains 35-42 characters (depending on the specifications). This includes spaces. The subtitle is formed by 2 lines.
The process of subtitling consists of the following phases:
– Spotting: The process of defining the in and out times of individual subtitles so that they are synchronised with the audio, and adhere to the minimum and maximum duration times, taking the shot changes into consideration.
– Translation: Translating from the source language, localizing and adapting it while accommodating the characters permitted according to the criteria.
– Correction: sentence structure, comprehension and overall flow of dialogue. The text must be a natural text, which flows with the same punctuation, spelling rules and language conventions. The subtitles must be split so that they the viewers can easily understand them. Above all, they must not distract the viewer. Some of the basic principle criteria are: punctuation, line breaks, hyphens, ellipsis and italics.
– Simulation: After spotting, translation and correction, the film must be reviewed in a simulation session: a screening with the subtitles on the video screen just as they will appear on the final product. Modifications of text and timing can be made during the simulation.
We deliver either open captions, which are always visible because they are "burnt" into the video, or closed captions, which give the viewer the option to turn them on or off. Both make content accessible for the audience, but closed captions have the obvious advantage that the viewer is in control.
Timing is vital as a subtitle has a minimum duration of a second and a maximum duration of 6 or 7 seconds on screen. There is also the reading speed parameters. Reading speed is the relation between the duration of a subtitle and the number of characters that it can contain so that it can be read. The subtitles should appear as the characters starts speaking and should disappear when they stop, so that they are synchronised with the audio. Also, the shot changes must be taken into account.
