What to Look for in Translation Services that do Subtitles for Videos

Investing in a translation services provider who specializes in executing subtitles for videos is, for many organizations, a good cost-effective alternative to voice over recording and other translation modes. But this is an art and science that transcends the simple act of using specialized software to pair the right text to each desired frame.

Organizations that invest in translation services perfecting subtitles for videos need a reputable service provider that pays careful linguistic attention to the target language’s cultural appropriateness to ensure comprehension and message delivery is spot-on. This article is intended to help organizational leadership teams discover the signs of a highly effective subtitles for videos service provider as an educational aid for making investment decisions.

1. Subtitles for Videos and All Relevant Formats

The term “videos” is one of the most misinterpreted words. For some, “video” takes us back to the 80s and early 90s where VHS media was king. For others, “video” in online media. But really video bridges a number of mediums that include tape / film, DVD, digital, gaming, and various programs and training platforms. Make sure the translation agency you partner with is capable of doing subtitles for video on every single one of these, even if you never intend to use video subtitling on games of film. The reason being is simple: one clear sign you are working with a veteran multilingual translation agency offering video subtitling is that they have the teams, equipment and strategists to execute any project, using any medium--a testimony to their skills and overall quality.

2. Does the Video Subtitling Team Utilize Strategy?

Ideally, you will want to find a translation agency that offers subtitles for video with a strategic direction. Hopefully, your organization has an internal team of marketers who know how to write guidelines for video subtitling that reflect the brand and its goals. But all too often this is lacking. Even if you have a solid team, your investment will work harder for you if you can partner with a translation agency that has team leads who base the foundation of a video subtitling project around the cultural significance of the target audience, how the audience consumes information, and why they need to review the particular information you are subtitling.

3. Subtitles for Video with Multiple Options

In many cases, the font, size, color and functionality of subtitles for video can have a direct influence on how the message is presented and received. For example, subtitles for videos that are used for international training will call for a different font, size and color than subtitles for videos intended to be customer facing to drive sales. Multiple studies show that people are more successful at retaining information from training videos with subtitles when the font fills a quarter of the screen, is in a simplistic form, and appears in a color that contrasts with the background. For example, if an instructor is speaking with an all-white background, having black Arial bold font would be ideal, and if the background is dark, the same font in white would be appropriate.

When looking for a translation agency that offers subtitles for videos, use these three tips in setting your standards, and you will be sure to find a translation and interpretation service provider you can confidently partner with for life.