The audiovisual content industry is rapidly evolving. One significant development is the increasing use of subtitles, which have become commonplace on numerous platforms and are loved by audiences. According to studies, subtitled videos increase the view-through rate by 80 percent.
Subtitling, dubbing, and narration are all examples of video localization that make your content more culturally and linguistically relevant for new viewers. Subtitles also make videos easier to interpret for non-native speakers while breaking language barriers. Adding subtitles in a target language opens your material to new audiences, markets, and greater ROI.
Factors to Consider Before Translating Subtitles
The Adaptation of Subtitling Text
Because people read slower than they hear, it’s critical to adjust the text so viewers can read everything in time. This often requires altering content to fit the situation while maintaining clarity and meaning.
Key techniques for adapting subtitles:
- Removing unnecessary words (e.g., fillers or repetition).
- Simplifying grammatical expressions.
- Combining two sentences into one.
- Using antonyms to shorten sentences.
Example: Translating from English to Spanish can increase text length by 20–25%, and for Swedish, it can increase by up to 35%. Keeping the text concise while retaining the original meaning is essential.
Timing
Accurate timing is crucial for subtitles:
- Subtitles should appear as soon as the speaker begins speaking and disappear when they finish.
- A good rule of thumb is 2 seconds per line of text. Testing and adjustments are recommended for optimal timing.
Assurance of High Quality
Before publishing subtitles:
- Test them alongside the video.
- Have a native-speaking subtitling professional review them to ensure readability and accuracy.
Dimensions and Spacing
- Keep subtitles to no more than two lines on the screen at a time (preferably one).
- Maintain character limits: around 35 characters per line for most languages and 16 characters for East Asian languages (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean).
Benefits of Creating Subtitles for a Video
Improvement in Ranking
Subtitles make your video content more searchable and accessible. Converting videos into English subtitles boosts search engine rankings and attracts English-speaking audiences.
Obtain a Larger Audience
English is spoken by 1.5 billion people worldwide. Subtitles ensure your video’s message reaches this massive audience, even if English isn’t their first language.
Assist Non-Native Speakers
Subtitles can act as an educational resource, helping viewers learn English or improve their understanding of another language.
Better Global Engagement
Videos with subtitles retain viewers longer, with 91% of people watching subtitled videos compared to 66% without subtitles. Subtitles also increase interaction on platforms like Facebook and YouTube, which favor engaging content.
Create Unique Content for Each User
Subtitles allow you to repurpose video content for blogs, infographics, and emails. Without them, creating such content manually becomes time-consuming.
Best Practices for Subtitle Translation
Do Your Homework
Research is a key step in professional subtitle translation. Ensure you understand technical terms and brand names to avoid mistakes.
Prioritize Native Languages
Translating subtitles into your native language ensures better accuracy and fluency. Avoid translating into a language you are less comfortable with.
Localization
Adapting content for regional dialects and cultural relevance is critical. For example, convert metrics to formats familiar to the target audience.
Conclusion
Partnering with a reliable translation service provider ensures high-quality subtitle translation. A professional team can guide you through the process of translating SRT files into other languages, helping you meet your objectives efficiently.
Get your SRT files localized with Lingual Consultancy.
For inquiries, email us at [email protected] or call us today.
