If you’ve created a corporate video (on YouTube, your business website or elsewhere) that you’re hoping to share with your clients, and you’d like to ensure that the message is understood by the largest number of viewers, think about adding subtitles!
TradOnline will be glad to accompany you in your project and offer our translation and linguistic services to add subtitles to your video.
First step: transcribing the audio
Audio transcription is the process of turning the audible content into written words. Our clients request transcription services when they haven’t written a script for the video. This is common when your videos contain testimonials or interviews.
A transcription is also required for simple audio files (dictated letters, meetings, expert reports, conferences, etc.) as well as for telephone recordings.
Transcription is generally the first step before moving on to translation.
There are three different levels of transcription: an integral transcription of every word, revised transcription, synthetic transcription.
Integral transcription (verbatim)
The entirety of the discussion or talk is transcribed, including linguistic tics or filler words (uhs and ums included). This service is often utilized for official purposes (council meeting, etc.). A clean integral transcription is also possible where the elements that muddy the waters can be removed to improve the clarity.
Revised transcription
The speech is fully transcribed but repetitions and language tics are removed. Confusing or misspoken turns of phrases are reworded so that everything is grammatically correct.
Synthetic transcription
This type of service can be requested for minutes of a meeting, for example. It is a discipline that requires more attention and requires the transcriber to have a good command of the industry in which you work or the subject matter being discussed.
In order to be able to offer you a transcription quote, we will need to consult your video or audio recording as the quality of the recording will have a direct impact on the time it takes our transcriptionist to process the content.
Please note: there are now transcription tools available that allow us to optimize your project’s time and costs in certain cases. Please note, however, that only good quality audio files can be transcribed by these software programs. Thus, if certain speakers have distinct and pronounced accents or if the background noise level is too high, the transcription will have to be done manually.
How to properly translate a subtitle
Once we have discerned what your project requires and entails, we can move on to translating the content before adding the subtitles. Of course, it goes without saying that your dedicated project manager at TradOnline will select a translator who is specialized in your domain and in multimedia translations in order to guarantee the best possible quality to your video project.
Our translators know that they have to try to condense the text by up to 30% in order for the subtitles to be readable. Reading takes longer that listening, and a word-for-word translation wouldn’t leave the viewer with enough time to read all of subtitles.
Our translators do everything possible to localize your video’s content, and won’t hesitate to ask questions for any adaptations that may require your attention. For example, if there is a play on words in the source, would you prefer to just keep the sense of meaning, or that the translator find a similar play on words in the target language?
Once the translation of the script is completed, we’ll send you the text so your team can work on embedding the subtitles in the video.
If necessary, TradOnline can take charge of embedding the subtitles.
Why should you keep the timecodes when translating a video?
Timecodes are used to indicate each sentence in a video. They simplify the work of the person who will be charged with embedding the subtitles downstream.
These timecodes are all the more important when your service provider isn’t fluent in the target language that your document is translated into. Without these timecodes, they will have no markers to indicate which translated phrase corresponds to which original source sentence.
Translation for voice-overs
When, in the case of web or video marketing, you decide to speak directly to your clients in their own native language, you’ll need a voice-over to dub the text with appropriate voice actors.
Translating for voice-overs is a very specific discipline that requires securing the services of a voice actor.
As for the translation, the work isn’t any easier, because, beyond needing just a good translator, they also have to be creative. In order for the voice-over to be as good as possible, it’s important to try to match the translated words with the movement of the lips in the source language. For example, it’s important to avoid matching an ‘ah’ sound to an ‘ee’ movement.
That even means ensuring that the length of the text is the same, to avoid the case where the speaker has stopped talking but the voice-over keeps going. The result will be off-putting. Voice actors can accelerate or decelerate their rhythm if necessary, but it’s better to plan ahead right from the translation process.
Once this step has been completed, we’ll send you some samples of voice actors in order for you to choose whichever you find the best for your message and brand image. Each context or project may require a different voice actor, whether that be male or female, deep or higher pitcher, or somewhere in the middle.
All that remains is to schedule the recording and deliver the final product to you!
Translation of pre-recorded messages
Recording a voice-over can also be carried out independent of a video. This is the case for most pre-recorded messages that are heard in train stations or supermarkets, for example.
TradOnline can also help you translate your message for audio media before recording and delivery of the final audio file.
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