## Video Subtitling **Video subtitling** is the process of adding text so that a video displays the spoken dialogue or narration synchronized with the corresponding audio. Subtitles can also include translations of the spoken content into another language or additional explanatory text to enhance understanding, such as speaker identification, sound effects, or contextual notes for viewers unfamiliar with certain references. Subtitling is essential for making content accessible to a global audience, supporting language learners, and ensuring that information is conveyed even in noisy environments or when audio cannot be played. In addition, subtitles can help with search engine optimization by making video content indexable and discoverable online. Subtitling differs from transcription in that it involves: 1. **Timing:** Subtitles must be carefully timed to appear and disappear, synchronized with the audio. This requires precise segmentation of dialogue and attention to the pacing of speech, ensuring that viewers have enough time to read each subtitle. 2. **Formatting:** Subtitles are typically concise to ensure readability, often simplifying or summarizing dialogue when needed. Formatting also includes line breaks, character limits per line, and the use of italics or colours for off-screen voices or sound effects. 3. **Localization:** Subtitling can adapt language, cultural references, and idiomatic expressions to suit the audience. This may involve rephrasing jokes, changing measurements, or providing brief explanations for culturally specific terms. Subtitles serve multiple purposes, including improving accessibility for the hearing impaired, enabling understanding for viewers who speak a different language, or allowing viewers to watch videos in sound-restricted environments. They also support literacy development and can be used in educational settings to reinforce language skills. For businesses, subtitles can expand the reach of marketing videos, training materials, and product demonstrations to international markets. ### Video subtitling steps 1. Video subtitles are created from the transcription of the spoken word 2. Length: ensure that the text conforms to the length of the audio. 3. CPS: ensure that the text scrolls at a readable rate according to specifications, typically 24 cps. 4. Spellcheck and grammar check. Text will apply normal grammatical rules where possible, including capitals and full stops. With certain exceptions. The spoken word does not necessarily follow rigorous grammatical rules. 5. Review to ensure the text conforms to the required parameters that it flows. ![[video-subtitling-text-grid-from-subtitle-edit.webp|Video subtitling grid from subtitle edit]] We use [Subtitle Edit](https://nikse.dk/SubtitleEdit/), which has better functionality than Aegisub, more shortcuts and a more intuitive interface. Subtitle Edit allows us to visualize the audio waveform, adjust subtitle timing with frame accuracy, and check for issues such as overlapping subtitles or excessive reading speed. The software supports a wide range of subtitle formats and integrates quality control tools to ensure compliance with industry standards. ![[video-subtitling-subtitle-edit.webp|Video subtitling timeline from subtitle edit]] ### Video subtitling projects We have worked for producers of documentaries for Netflix and French Television who more and more wish, or are required, to produce their material with subtitles. This is advantageous for viewers in France, but subtitles also allow French companies to export their material to English-speaking countries. Our experience includes subtitling for corporate training videos, conference presentations, and online courses and adapting content for diverse audiences. We collaborate closely with clients to ensure that subtitles reflect the intended tone and message, whether for entertainment, education, or business communication. Subtitles are now also attached to video, increasingly for use by visually impaired or hard-of-hearing users. Subtitles are used to ensure compliance with EU legislation to provide access to hard of hearing and deaf people. We deliver subtitles in SRT format, or encrusted into the video, are subject to estimate. We can also provide subtitles in other formats, such as VTT and ASS, or embedded directly into MP4 files, depending on client requirements. Our workflow includes a thorough review process, with native speakers checking translations and timing for accuracy and naturalness. This is a video subtitled by us that discusses the following themes: - [[Management Methods - Eisenhower, PDCA]] - [[Plan Do Check Assess cycle]] - [[Getting Things Done (GTD) framework]] - [[Eisenhower Decision Matrix]] - Software tools including Todoist, Ayoa and Sortd for Gmail  ### Source and output formats We accept content for video subtitling in French or English. If we transcribe in two steps, we can supply the intermediate source language transcript and its translation. We can supply either the fully edited video with embedded subtitles, or just the SRT file. We accept video or audio in any format on hard disk, key, optical, by transfer or FTP. We can also receive files via cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer, making it easy for clients to send large files securely. - Video or audio source - Time coded transcription delivered in SRT format, - Non-time coded transcription in a Word file ## Audio and Video Transcription ### Audio Transcription **Audio transcription** is the process of converting spoken words or other audio content into a written or text format. This can involve transcribing speeches, interviews, lectures, podcasts, or other audio recordings. Audio transcription is commonly used for documentation, accessibility, content creation, and analysis. Our transcriptionists are trained to distinguish between speakers, capture nuances such as laughter or pauses, and deliver clean, readable transcripts. We offer both verbatim and edited transcription, depending on the client’s needs, and can include timestamps, speaker labels, and notes on background sounds. **Video transcription** involves creating a text version of the spoken dialogue and relevant sounds in a video. It may also include descriptions of visual elements to provide a complete understanding of the content. Video transcription is often used for closed captions, subtitles, content indexing, accessibility for the hearing impaired, and making video content searchable and easier to reference. We can provide transcripts in various formats, including plain text, Word documents, or subtitle files, and tailor the level of detail to the intended use, such as legal proceedings, academic research, or media production. Both types of transcription require accuracy in capturing the original content while considering nuances like tone, context, and speaker identity. Our quality assurance process includes proofreading, consistency checks, and, when required, a second review by a subject matter expert to ensure technical terminology or specialized vocabulary is correctly rendered. ### Transcription Direct to Target Language# One-step transcription is the process of listening to the source audio and writing down the translation without writing the original source text. The output is a transcription in the target language. One step subtitling process to take a French video and directly transcribe into English without producing an intermediate French transcription. ![[one-step-transcription-process.png|one step subtitling process]] ### Transcription to text and then translation Two-step transcription is to transcribe the audio or video into the source language text, then translate that text. Step 1: Transcription of French video to French text Step 2: Then, in a second step, translation to English. Two step subtitling process. Here an initial transcription in French (source language). This is then translated to English (target language) with the timings. ![[two-step-transcription-process.png|two step subtitling process]] ### Software used for transcription [Happy Scribe](https://www.happyscribe.com/) can transcribe video and audio documents. Once the transcription text has been corrected, we export it as text or as subtitles. ![[happy-scribe-logo.png]] ### Time coding A transcription can be supplied just as simple output text or time coded. The subtitling process includes transcription, translation and timecoding. ![[subtitling-process.png|graphic illustrating the subtitling process, transcription, translation and timecoding]] Time coding allows you to refer to the exact point within the source media. ### Transcription projects We transcribed a non-native presenter giving a conference in English. The francophone public wanted a subtitled video of the presentation to ensure that the message was clearly understood internally. We have also corrected Chinese to English transcriptions, even without knowledge of the source language. The objective here is to correct the output text to ensure that it reads smoothly. ### Output Format If just one step, then we provide the French transcription (time coded or not). If we do both steps, then we provide both the French transcription (time coded or not) and the English transcription (time coded or not). ## Video Editing Projects [[Different Types of Video Editing]] illustrated the diverse types of video editing projects, ranging from simple cutting and bespoke edits to theme-based compilations, multi-source editing, and artistic or documentary productions. We cover practical approaches for editing amateur and professional footage, including length reduction, highlights, photo slideshows, subtitling, and translation. Real-world examples illustrate how tailored editing can transform raw footage into engaging, meaningful videos for various personal and professional needs. ## French to English Translation Services See our [[French to English Translation]]