What are the golden rules of subtitles?
- Ashfaan
- November 16, 2023
What are the rules for subtitle formatting?
All subtitles must stay within a text safe area, as defined. Maximum of two lines of text per subtitle. Line splits should be made on a linguistic basis taking into account grammar. Visual similarities in terms of equal line lengths should be a secondary consideration, though one word lines should be avoided.What are the guidelines for translating subtitles?
Additional short tips and tricks
- A line can have a maximum of 40 characters. ...
- No more than two lines should be shown at a time; only use both if truly necessary. ...
- The first line should ideally be shorter than the second. ...
- There should be a pause of around 2-4 frames (80-120 ms) between each subtitle.
What are the rules for adding subtitles to a video?
Captions should coincide with the relevant soundtrack, to preserve the relation between sound and visuals. The reading speed should not exceed 180 words per minute (3 words per second). The pace of a video sometimes makes it impractical to include every word or sound effect in caption form.What are the rules for closed captioning?
FCC closed captioning rulesAccurate: Captions must match the spoken words in the dialogue and convey background noises and other sounds to the fullest extent possible.
Quality Golden rules with subtitles
What is the difference between closed captioning and captioning?
Captions are either open or closed. Open captions always are in view and cannot be turned off, whereas closed captions can be turned on and off by the viewer. For video that is displayed on television sets, special devices called decoders must be available in order to view closed captions.What is the difference between subtitles and closed captioning?
In the broadest sense, each serves a different purpose with a common goal: Captions provide an accessible way for viewers who cannot hear audio to watch video. Subtitles provide an accessible way for speakers of any language to watch video.Where should subtitles be placed?
Current standards, revisited
- Duration: Subtitles should last a minimum of one second and a maximum of six seconds. ...
- Frame gap: Two frames should be left between subtitles. ...
- Line breaks: Two-line subtitles are the standard in the subtitling industry. ...
- Position: Subtitles should be placed at the bottom of the screen.
Should you correct grammar in subtitles?
Film subtitles must replicate the grammar of the original screenplay.Should subtitles have full stops?
Punctuation. There are mixed views on including full stops or periods in subtitles. Film and TV productions generally do not use them, however many translators have found them useful when translating from original subtitles online and offline.What is the six second rule in subtitles?
The most widely known rule on the speed of interlingual subtitles–“the six-seconds rule”–stipulates that a full two-line subtitle should be displayed for six seconds in order for an average viewer to be able to read it [3, 13]. The six-seconds rule is equivalent to approximately 140–150 wpm or 12 cps [3, 10].What is the most compatible subtitle format?
In most cases, your best bets are either SRT or VTT caption files. Both of these are similar, but they have some slight differences that you should check out before making your choice.What should a subtitle include?
The 5 Attributes of a Good Subtitle
- Contextual. A good subtitle provides context for the title. ...
- Attention-Holding. The title grabs people's attention. ...
- Searchable. If a great title is memorable, a great subtitle is searchable. ...
- Easy to Read and Say. ...
- Short and Specific.
Which font is best for subtitles?
- Arial. We start off with the most widespread font in the world. ...
- Roboto. Roboto is the official subtitle font for Google. ...
- Times New Roman. This is another font that promises excellent readability. ...
- Verdana. Verdana offers something different to users. ...
- Tiresias. ...
- Antique Olive. ...
- Futura. ...
- Helvetica.
Do you capitalize all words in a subtitle?
Capitalize the first and last words in titles and subtitles, and capitalize all other major words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions with four or more letters). Capitalize words in a hyphenated compound, except after prefixes with fewer than five letters: Cross-Cultural, Co-star.How can I write better subtitles?
You will also find out why the following practices work:
- Differentiate Long-Form And Short-Form Subtitling.
- Know The Role Of The Subtitles In The Specific Video.
- Understand Size Legibility And Color Legibility.
- Choose The Right Font For The Context.
- Don't Break A Continuous Utterance.
- Never Give Away The Punchline.
What are the negatives of subtitles?
Cons of Subtitles
- They may distract the viewer's attention from the footage.
- Limited space on the screen to work with.
- When different speakers are involved, it becomes difficult to add subtitles.
- If they take more screen space, they may cover the important components of the video.
Do you use exclamation marks in subtitles?
And utterances such as "Eh?" and "Mm-hm" don't really need subtitling at all; leave the obvious unsubtitled. Keep the use of exclamation marks to a minimum; too many devalue their own impact. Expletives should be translated as such; subtitlers should not bowdlerise.What is the best color for subtitles?
White is a standard color in videos for subtitles, so it is no surprise that lightly colored backgrounds can make white subtitles hard to read. Often changing your subtitle color to yellow or even black will do the trick.Who uses subtitles the most?
By the numbers: 59% of Gen Z survey respondents and 52% of millennials said they use subtitles. Gen Z males, especially, are watching with subtitles — 61% said they like to use them.Do you write numbers in subtitles?
Never mix numerals and spelled out numbers in one sentence. Use numerals in a listing of numbers if one or more is above ten and these occur in one caption or one sentence.What are the two types of subtitles?
Different types of subtitlesThere are three main types of video subtitling services: open caption, closed caption and SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). The type you choose will depend on the purpose of your videos and your intended audience.
When should I use subtitles?
Subtitles are most useful when you're a beginner or lower intermediate. While using English subtitles can be a great support at lower levels, it's usefulness declines as your level improves. The idea is that, to get better, you need to challenge yourself.What is an example of a subtitle?
Film and other media. In film, examples of subtitles using "or" include Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb and Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).Why do so many people use Closed Captioning?
Subtitles become popular among general population due to changes in TV, film consumption. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, using subtitles and closed captions on video content is a helpful way to consume content.
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