Before we can do anything, we need to transcribe the original script. A native linguist will listen to your content and type out everything which is said. It will also usually be necessary to ‘time-code’ the script, so there is an accurate record of when – and for how long – each sentence or phrase is spoken.

It’s now time to translate the content. A trained translator will work through each phrase or sentence and translate it appropriately. This is where audiovisual translation differs a little from conventional translation, as there are considerations which may be more important than literal accuracy. For example, one language may use many more words than another to express the same idea, so there may not be enough space on the screen for all the words – or enough time for the viewer to read them. Creative solutions are required in order to convey your message faithfully despite the various constraints.

Once the text has been translated, it’s time for our technician to overlay the subtitles onto the original footage, using the time codes from our original transcript. At this point, we’ll send you a temporary version so you can just check you are happy with everything.

When we’ve heard back from you, our technician will embed the subtitles in accordance with your requirements, export the finished project in your preferred format, and send it over to you. Easy!