What Is Audiovisual Translation (AVT)?
What Are The Various Types Of Audiovisual Translation?
1. Surtitles
Have you ever watched an opera or seen a play at the theatre? If so, you might be aware that there is a screen above the main stage where the opera lyrics or theatre script are written. This is the translated text from the original language, helping the non-natives and people with disability understand and enjoy the production.Â
2. Dubbing
Dubs are the most common AVT. Dubbing refers to using native-speaking actors to replace the original sound, speech, or track of the production. If you are an Anime fan, then dubs are something you are well aware of because while good dubs made you love Brotherhood, they made you hate Speed Racer!
3. Subtitles
Now, this is something we all are familiar with; it is what every Asian drama addict relates to reading the subtitles at the bottom of the screen in English while trying to understand how Ryu Sun-Jae and Im Sol fight their fate to be together in Korean. 울지마 (Uljima)! Audiovisual translation subtitling services are also standard AVT techniques.
4. Voice Over
This is an inexpensive alternative to dubbing and subtitling AVT techniques. In this technique, the original and translated soundtrack plays simultaneously in documentaries, news, and interviews. To elaborate, in the beginning, the original soundtrack is heard, but when the dialogues start, the original soundtrack gradually slows down, and then the translated version is heard.
5. Localization
Audiovisual localization is the process of localizing the entire audio and video element for the target market. Localization includes adapting and translating the entire idea to maintain cultural context and to reach a wider audience.
6. Overlaid Voices
If you need proof that the media goes the extra mile to satisfy the global audience, you can use overlaid voices as an example. Here, the translated audio is layered with original audio, where the original speaker adds a snippet before and after the translation, mainly used in documentaries and interviews to uphold cultural diversity.
7. Audio Description
Imagine watching a movie primarily based on visuals, and you are clueless about what’s happening! Well, that’s where audio description comes into play. It is the descriptive narration by a speaker explaining the scenes when everything is quiet. It greatly benefits people with physical challenges and non-native viewers to understand context.Â
8. SDH or Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Did you know you see sound? Unbelievable? The entertainment world made it possible with the SDH AVT technique, where the sound is explained in captions. For instance, there are scenes where captions come in, like [Dog barking in the distance] and [Loud crash as the vase falls to the floor]. So, if you get bored in class, just watch a movie with SDH!
How Does Audio Visual Translation Differ From Transcription?
Now that you have learned all about audiovisual translation services let’s examine the difference between translation and transcription.
| Aspect | Transcription | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Remains in the original language of the audio | Converts content from one language to another |
| Purpose | Enhances accessibility for deaf/hard-of-hearing, improves searchability | Makes content accessible to non-native speakers, expands audience reach |
| Applications | Subtitles, closed captions, written records of speeches/interviews | Subtitles in different languages, dubbing, translating written documents |
| Content Conversion | Audio to text in the same language | Text from one language to another |
| Focus | Exact wording and tone | Conveying meaning and context, sometimes adding cultural nuances |
| Use Cases | Creating accessible content for hearing-impaired | Reaching broader, multilingual audiences |
How To Become An Audiovisual Translator?
Machine translation is now rising, but Audiovisual translation is a technical translation that requires a Translator. Here are the steps to being an excellent audiovisual translator:
1. Develop Language Skills: You must be proficient in at least two languages because the translator must have knowledge of the source language and target languages well enough to translate, keeping the cultural context in check.
2. Gain Relevant Education: While you must at least have a degree in linguistics or literature, it is evident that you will be preferred if you have a specialised degree in AVT.
3. Understand Audiovisual Translation Techniques: As a translator, you must know the various AVT techniques like voice-over, subtitling, and dubbing. Furthermore, you should also know the challenges and methods to overcome them.
4. Build Experience: Before starting audiovisual translation projects, watch many movies, TV series, and documentaries related to your project. This will help you gain some knowledge and understanding, enriching your experience. Also, start with smaller projects.
5. Create a Portfolio: Create a portfolio with your sample work as well as make sure to show the work samples to your potential clients to build trust.
6. Network in the Industry: A professional translator must have a good network in the entertainment industry because networks help you engage in more work.
7. Seek Employment or Freelance Opportunities: While freelance work helps you work freely and gain experience, always apply to various translation agencies, dubbing studios, and media companies.
8. Stay Updated on Industry Trends: You must know the latest industry trends and AI tools to help you with your work. For instance, learn about various dubbing and subtitling software, translation management systems, and more to streamline the process.
What Does The Translator Translate?
→ Movies
→ Series
→ Documentaries
→ Podcasts
→ Interviews
→ Audios
→ Lectures
→ Conferences
→ Tutorials
→ Animations
→ Images
→ Plays
→ Television shows
→ Live shows
→ Advertisements
→ Video games
What Is The Importance Of Translating Audiovisual Work And Products?
While watching the episode where Moon Sang Tae accused Moon Gang Tae of killing him in childhood, we believe each one of you has cried. But what killed me even more was when Go Moon Young finally chops her hair to cut out her mother. The emotional wreckage and baggage that she carried for all those years was finally over. That’s true freedom for me. But I don’t think I would have had the luck to watch it had Netflix not decided to use subtitling services. But is that all? Or there’s more? Let’s find out!
Accessibility
Translating and adapting movies, TV series, and other works helps bridge language gaps and promote inclusivity. For instance, with AVT, global audiences can broaden their reach and watch various shows from all over the world. Â
Cultural Exchange
While listening to lyrics or dialogue and reading translations of the same from one language into another, people gradually learn about various world cultures and even learn multiple languages, which enriches their knowledge and depth.
Market Expansion
While making entertainment available to the world, producers and streaming platforms can increase their profits and expand to markets that might be difficult otherwise. For instance, in 2021, Netflix introduced a new category of foreign shows and crossed 207.64 million paid subscribers.
Educational Value
Education liberates people. Students learn about new cultures, norms, and beliefs through cross-cultural exchange. Evidently, studies show that students who read the translation and hear the original version together learn to speak the language faster than those who only hear the translation.  Â
Legal Compliance Reasons
Multiple countries, including Germany and Slovenia, have laws and rules that say foreign productions must have subtitles or dubs, or they will ban the production. Therefore, to meet the legal compliances, you need AVT.Â
Enough about the importance; let’s discuss translators’ challenges while translating video and audio content.Â
What Challenges Do Translators Face During The Translation Of Audiovisual Content?
Written translation is far easier than audiovisual translation because it poses some challenges that require translators to not only speak different languages but also know the target audience well enough!
Timing And Sync
Translators must be careful when choosing words because the exact words in various languages require different amounts of time to speak. Otherwise, the lip movements will not be the same, disrupting the timing and synchronisation of video or audio.Â
Cultural Nuances
A translator must be able to translate verbal components while maintaining the culture of the source and target audience because the main idea behind AVT is to reach a global audience. AI Translation Tools can translate written text but can never reach the audience’s heart if the nuances are not matched.Â
Multisemiotic Nature
A good AVT is made up of the proper combination of audio, video, dialogue, visuals, and sounds. Therefore, a translator must maintain multisemiotic cohesion for the content to reach a global audience. Â
Character Speech Variability
Now, it is no breaking news that a good actor can make a character great! Therefore, we can never rule out the importance of dialogue delivery, which can be maintained if the translator does a good job, as the character’s speech and style of speaking depend on the written text.Â
For instance, a combination of idioms, humour, video, and audio, together makes a TV series, theatre, movie, or reality show script. Therefore, transferring verbal communication is not enough. Furthermore, AVT requires translating films for the target audience, which they will be able to resonate with and love. One of the best examples is Harry Potter’s French adaptation. In that production, the translator used a regional accent for Hagrid. Also, this production is a good example of creative translation, i.e., the Sorting Hat is called Choixpeau Magique (choice hat).
How Difficult Is Audiovisual Subtitling Compared To Surtitles And Dubs?
| Aspect | Audiovisual Subtitling | Surtitles | Dubbing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Subtitling is the process of adding translated text to video content; it usually appears at the bottom of the screen. | Surtitles refer to the process of displaying translated text above the stage in live performances | Dubbing involves Replacing original audio with translated dialogue |
| Context | Used for films, TV shows, and online videos | Common in theatre productions | Common in films, TV shows, and video games |
| Focus | Synchronisation with audio and visuals | Synchronisation with live performance timing | Lip synchronisation with original actors |
| Translation Accuracy | High accuracy is needed for dialogue and nuances | Moderate, often simplified for brevity | High accuracy is required for natural dialogue |
| Cultural Adaptation | Requires cultural relevance in translation | Often requires adaptation for a live audience | Requires adaptation to fit cultural context |
| Technical Complexity | It involves timing, text placement, and readability | Involves timing and visibility during performances | Involves voice matching, timing, and quality control |
| Cost | Generally lower cost compared to dubbing | Moderate cost, depending on production scale and vary according to the type of content | Typically, higher costs due to voice talent and production |
| Viewer Engagement | Requires reading while watching | Focus on performance; less reading is required | More immersive, as audio is in the viewer's language |
| Production Time | Moderate; it can take time to ensure quality | Shorter; often quicker to produce | Longer; requires casting, recording, and editing |