Video translation = subtitle
With the advent of various video platforms and the creation of numerous video contents, the demand for video translation has also increased significantly. There are many foreign videos that Koreans want to watch, but the number of overseas users who like Korean videos is also increasing. However, not everyone can speak a foreign language, so these videos need subtitles. Therefore, video translation can be called subtitle translation.
Video translation, where many people are participating due to high demand, has a relatively low barrier to entry compared to professional technical translation. Once you become proficient in a foreign language, how much you like and are interested in the culture related to the video is more important than the expertise required for translation. This is because only then can the people watching the video be able to make a translation that they can relate to. From that point of view, video translation can also be said to be a serious genre or field of expertise.
Here are some tips to consider when translating these videos, that is, adding translated subtitles to videos. If you use the subtitle service, it will also be helpful for watching videos with subtitles on a regular basis.
✅ Whether a high quality translation was appliedAre you curious about Corn Studio's English translation?
1. The most important thing is readability!
Professional video translators may already be familiar with it, but the number of characters in subtitles is the most common mistake that beginners or those just starting out in video translation make. Subtitles take up too much of the screen because they focus so much on making use of the original text. Usually, Korean subtitles can be written up to two lines on the screen, and a maximum of 21 characters per line. In other words, the maximum number of characters that can fit on one screen would be 42 characters. However, since this is only the maximum number of characters, it's nice to keep it as short as possible, making it as economical as possible.
If you receive a formal request from a company rather than video translation as a personal hobby, the character count standards set internally are all different. It's also different from language to language. Some are based on a maximum of 16 characters, so you must meet that standard. Of course, punctuation marks and spaces are also included in the character count by typing 0.5 characters. Therefore, it is necessary to practice omitting words that are not necessarily included or replacing them with other words. For example, if the original text is translated, “I'm going to go to the bookstore tomorrow (16 characters),” you could more simply express it as “I'll stop by the bookstore tomorrow (11.5 characters).” Since you can tell who is speaking from the screen anyway, you can omit words such as “I”.
2. Subtract unnecessary punctuation marks
In addition to question marks and exclamation marks, subtitles do not include a period (.) in the written text. Because the symbols are duplicated (!! ?? ?! etc.) It is also not used. People who usually watch videos with subtitles say, “Is there a period in the subtitle?” when I try to translate the video and then it stops.
Also, if you watch a video with subtitles, you can see that there are no periods. In general, you can use ellipsis. Use only three dots instead of just six. Also, instead of entering each of the three periods, they also write the “...” in the special symbol as is. Additionally, commas can be used, but not at the end of subtitles. It can only be used in the middle of a single line of subtitles. Also, when translating by an individual, you can only remember these rules and translate, but if it is a formal request from a company, it is better to check internal standards.
3. Sync with video
As important as the content of the subtitle is matching the video with the subtitle.
This is because not only do people watch subtitles, but subtitles only support the video. Also, as mentioned above, subjects such as “I” are often omitted in order to create easy-to-read subtitles. But what if the subtitles and video don't sync? You may be confused or misunderstood who is speaking with the subtitles that are currently appearing. Therefore, it is necessary to divide the video into seconds through various subtitle generation programs and add subtitles at the appropriate timing. Also, the subtitle must float for at least 1 second so that you can't watch it too fast.
Additionally, if two or more people are speaking on one screen, the sentences must be separated by '-'. For example, in a scene where you're talking on the phone, the caller says, “Hello?” What if the word “Hello” comes from the handset? '- Hello? The subtitle will be “Hello.” Of course, the two sentences must be written on different lines. Also, “Aaah!” , “Whoops!” The same exclamation does not translate.
✅ Whether a high quality translation was appliedAre you curious about Corn Studio's English translation?
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Video translation or subtitle translation may seem simple at first glance, but in fact, there are a number of factors to consider. The final goal will be how to make it stand out at a glance. Of course, natural and witty translations are basic. This requires a lot of practice. In particular, videos such as movies and documentaries are often done by skilled professional video translators, but this is also a field that can be challenged by gaining various experiences and relationships.
Anyone can try video translation, but on the other hand, not everyone can do it well. In other words, the barriers to entry are relatively low, but it's much harder to become an expert. For those who want to try their hand at translating videos like this, TED (TED) has a separate subtitle translation applicant web page1We have prepared it. Once selected after screening, applicants can work on subtitles for TED videos in a separate translation guide and on a dedicated page for translators. If you've always been interested in translating subtitles or want to take your first steps as a video translator, wouldn't this be a great opportunity?
1 TED https://www.ted.com/participate/translate
*This content has been transferred from Gicon Studio to Letterworks.
