WHAT IS SUBTITLING? (Freelance Translator)

Summary

This video from the Freelanceverse dives into the world of subtitling, a crucial service in our increasingly digital and multilingual society. The host, a Swiss specialist, explains the various forms of subtitling, including transcription, timecoding, closed captions, and translation. They discuss the skills needed, such as mastering subtitling tools, being concise, and understanding display principles for optimal readability. The video also provides practical insights into subtitling workflows and the importance of accurate timing and content condensation. Finally, the host offers a live demonstration using Subtitle Edit, highlighting the tool's features and the process of creating effective subtitles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Subtitling is a popular service, especially in multilingual countries like Switzerland, where video content is used for corporate communication.
• 🌐 Video content is increasingly important for remote communication in the corporate world due to work-from-home scenarios.
• 📝 Subtitling can involve different tasks such as transcription, creating subtitle files with timecodes (SRT or VTT), closed captions for the deaf community, and subtitle translation.
• 🏫 The speaker recommends education in audiovisual communication for those interested in subtitling, and mentions a book for deeper understanding of subtitling principles.
• 🛠️ Subtitlers need to learn to use various subtitling tools, with Subtitle Edit being the speaker's preferred choice, and adapt to client-specific tools when necessary.
• 💡 Subtitling requires the ability to condense and be concise, often due to space limitations in the subtitle box and the need for quick reading by the audience.
• 📐 Understanding display principles for subtitles is crucial for a smooth reading experience, including line limits, character counts, and timing.
• 🎨 Subtitles should have easily readable colors and fonts, with white being a common choice, and should not be too aggressive or distracting.
• 📺 Different content types such as TV shows, movies, commercials, and live shows require subtitling, with live subtitling (respeaking) being a specialized and fast-paced field.
• ⏱️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the time investment required for subtitling, cautioning against undervaluing the service.
• 💰 Freelancers should be aware of fair rates for subtitling work, with the speaker suggesting a rate of $400-600 for ten hours of work, not $60 for a 60-minute video.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to share the speaker's experience and knowledge about subtitling, a service they offer and are passionate about.

Why is video content becoming increasingly important in the corporate world?

Video content is becoming increasingly important in the corporate world as a tool of communication, especially when people can't physically go to work, replacing traditional methods like emails.

Why is subtitling necessary in Switzerland?

Subtitling is necessary in Switzerland because it is a multilingual country, and many videos need to be subtitled in all the national languages to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.

What does the term 'subtitling' encompass according to the video?

The term 'subtitling' can encompass various forms such as transcription, creating subtitle files with timecodes (SRT or VTT files), closed captions for the deaf community, and subtitle translation.

What is the first step in the subtitling process mentioned in the video?

The first step in the subtitling process mentioned in the video is transcription, which involves typing the spoken or text part on screen into a word file.

What is 'spotting' in the context of subtitling?

'Spotting' in the context of subtitling refers to the act of timecoding the different subtitles so that they fit correctly with the video.

What is the recommended educational background for someone interested in subtitling?

The recommended educational background for someone interested in subtitling is a specialization in multimodal communication, with knowledge in audiovisual translation.

What are some of the key skills needed to be a subtitler according to the video?

Key skills needed to be a subtitler include familiarity with subtitling tools, the ability to condense and be concise, understanding display principles of subtitles, and knowledge of subtitling guidelines.

What is the recommended approach to handling the character limit in subtitles?

The recommended approach is to ensure that each line of a subtitle does not exceed 42 characters, and the total for two lines should not exceed 84 characters, to maintain readability.

What are some common content types that a subtitler might work with?

Common content types that a subtitler might work with include TV shows, movies, commercials, internal and external company communications, vlogs, documentaries, and live shows.

What is 'respeaking' and how does it differ from traditional subtitling?

Respeaking is a specific type of subtitling done live, often by TV companies for live broadcasts. Unlike traditional subtitling, respeaking focuses on speed rather than precision, as it involves generating subtitles in real-time for live audiences.

What is the importance of using a subtitling tool with a waveform feature?

A subtitling tool with a waveform feature is important because it allows subtitlers to see where there is voice activity in the video, enabling them to start and end subtitles exactly where the person speaks for precise timing.

What is the recommended duration for a single subtitle on screen?

A single subtitle should be on the screen for a minimum of one second and a maximum of seven seconds to ensure that the reader has enough time to read it without it being on screen unnecessarily long.

How does the speaker describe the process of adding subtitles in Subtitle Edit?

The speaker describes the process as importing the video, using the waveform to identify speech segments, clicking to add subtitles at the start and end of speech, and then typing or pasting the transcribed text into the subtitle box.

What is the recommended format for delivering subtitles to clients?

The recommended format for delivering subtitles to clients is SRT (SubRip), which is a widely accepted format in the industry.

How does the speaker suggest determining the appropriate rate for subtitling work?

The speaker suggests considering the amount of time it takes to complete the subtitling process, such as transcription and timecoding, and not to accept rates that are too low, like one dollar per video minute, which may not compensate for the actual time invested.