Audiovisual Translation

Audiovisual translation is a specialized field focused on translating and adapting audiovisual works—any product displayed on screens of any size. This discipline takes into account audio, visual, and textual elements to create a cohesive experience for the target audience.

This multi-faceted translation process can take several forms:

Subtitles: synchronized translations of an original spoken content displayed on screen. Subtitling involves unique challenges, such as synchronizing spoken and written content, limiting the number of lines per subtitle and of characters per line, adhering to orthotypographic and layout standards, positioning units of meaning, limiting characters per second, managing time codes, formatting and more. Subtitles can be inserted directly into the video or added as separate files in formats like .srt, .ass, .ssa, .txt…

Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH): simplified transcriptions of original spoken content displayed on screen. This technique is not a translation (since it involves a written retranscription of the same spoken language), but it follows similar requirements and drawbacks as traditional subtitles. In fact, SDH includes additional elements such as rigorous color protocols, specific placement guidelines, and additional sound cues to aid comprehension.

Dubbing/adaptation: translation and formatting of an original content so that it can be recorded by dubbing actresses and actors. This technique has unique constraints such as lip-synchrony (matching mouth movements to spoken words), isochrony (lip movement equals speech time), cultural references, adaptation to nonverbal language and visual elements, oral language fluency (to help dubbing actors and actresses improve their diction), and a specific writing code to help actresses and actors deliver lines with accurate timing and intonation.

Voice-over: oral translation of an original spoken content superimposed on the original audio with a slight delay. This technique is used across many media (documentaries, interviews, news programs, reality shows, reports, and even corporate or promotional videos) and requires the speaker to start reading a few seconds after the beginning of the original dialog and to end a few seconds before the original actors. This means condensing information and using specific signs to indicate hesitations, pauses and other sound effects that need to be transcribed.

Localization: modification of any audiovisual content to fit the social norms, cultural specificities, contexts, and special needs of the target audience. Localization can be partial (translating all written words except those directly incorporated in animations or images, but not the audio, so there is no dubbing) or full (translating all assets, that is both written and audio elements). Video game localization, for example, involves translating space-restricted interface text (menus, lists, descriptions, controls, etc.), text graphics (text written directly into visuals, in-game mailboxes, signage and letters, in-game laptops and smartphones, etc.), audio and cinematics (dialogs, monologs, narrative, etc.), and printed text (rules, technical notices and instructions for use, legal contracts, game boxes with marketing content, etc.).

Translation of shooting scripts: translation of dialogs and cinematographic cues for a seamless shoot. This technique requires knowledge of cinematographic terminology to ensure a smooth shooting experience for both actors and technical crew (e.g., camera angle, shot, sound, camera movement, lighting, etc.).

Audio description: commonly known as AD, is a technique that allows blind or visually impaired people to experience audiovisual products, works, and cultural settings through spoken description. As such, the AD of a movie narrates visual events during pauses in dialogs, while the AD of an artwork provides specific details about the artwork and exhibits in question (author, date, title, location), a description of each piece's attributes (dimensions, materials, colors, techniques, etc.), a thorough analysis of its visual components, as well as explanations and interpretations of its meaning. AD features in various fields where messages are conveyed by sight, such as in audiovisual media (cinema, television, theater), in cultural settings (museums and exhibitions), and in educational media (conferences, seminars, instructional videos, etc.). With this technique, images, words, audio and materials are made accessible to the visually impaired, young children and speakers of other languages through audioguides.

Given these diverse techniques, an audiovisual translator benefits greatly from both personal experience as a consumer of these media and a deep understanding of their technical limitations. Additionally, fluency in the target language and culture allows for authentic adaptation of cultural references and linguistic twist, making translations resonate creatively and meaningfully with the audience.