Subtitle translation services
Translating subtitles for engaging video content in any language
ANCIS
ISO 9001
ISO 17100
ISO 18587
Subtitling: the world’s most popular form of video translation
Subtitling consists of creating textual notes superimposed on audiovisual content to translate dialogue between characters. Subtitle translation allows audiovisual content (films, TV series, documentaries, but also webinars or social media reels) to be fully enjoyed by an international audience, without losing any nuance of the original dubbing. In addition to traditional subtitling, there is also subtitling for the hearing impaired, which also describes the ambient noise and soundtracks of the audiovisual product.
In recent years, subtitling – and at the same time audiovisual translation – has been experiencing a real boom,especially thanks to the spread of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Prime Video, to name a few.
The content posted on these entertainment platforms reaches millions and millions of web users around the world, speaking different languages.
The audiovisual content itself is often presented in a dubbed version, but More and more users are opting to watch movies or TV series in their original language with subtitles.
Precisely for this reason, the demand for subtitle translations has increased exponentially in recent years. At Eurotrad, we are a translation agency specializing in subtitling, with a team of native-speaking professionals capable of not only translating your subtitles, but also creating and editing them for your audiovisual content.
Same-Language Subtitling: Not a Transcription
To fully understand how delicate subtitling is, it’s helpful to take a moment to consider the difficulty of same-language subtitling. Very often, those who produce subtitles for an audiovisual product in the same language as the actors are forced to rework the lines due to the length of the words and the average reading speed of the user.
Reading subtitles while watching a movie is, in fact, a mental task that requires attention and a longer period of time than simply listening to a conversation. For this reason, subtitlers sometimes modify the actors’ lines to shorten them and make it easier for the reader.
Subtitle Translation: A Question of Depth
In addition to the difficulty of fitting the reading time of the subtitles into the length of the actual scene to which the subtitles refer, subtitle translators also face challenges related to adaptation. One of the biggest obstacles for subtitle translators is the translation of puns. The most famous in recent years was “Hold the door,” uttered by the character Hodor in a memorable episode of the Game of Thrones series.
In the English version, the name Hodor comes from the contraction of that line, the beginning and end of which the character continued to repeat throughout his life. Italian translators, like all other translators around the world, had to rack their brains to find a solution that worked in their own language.
Professional subtitle translation often presents translators with these kinds of challenges, since idioms or puns are more pronounced when written than when spoken: if the translation is weak in dubbing, it will be even weaker and out of place in writing.
Furthermore, translators for Netflix or any other streaming platform must have a thorough understanding of the entire context of the work they work within. To return to the Game of Thrones example, a subtitle translator must have a thorough knowledge of the characters, their origins, their history, and possibly their signature phrases, so as to effectively render them in subtitles, consistent with the character and the context in which they operate. Obviously, subtitling a series like Game of Thrones will be very different from subtitling a science documentary or a modern series like The Get Down, where the characters speak highly industry-specific slang. Even then, a professional translator specializing in subtitling will need to conduct linguistic research before starting work.
Applications
The goals and benefits of subtitling
Subtitles aim to broaden the potential audience for your video content at a lower cost than dubbing and voice over.
Video content
Videos are the most widespread, shared, and effective form of marketing content for businesses of all types. To take that success beyond your domestic borders, we offer our professional subtitle translation services. Subtitles are an effective way for your international audience to engage with your multimedia content when it’s not feasible to dub the video in another language. It’s also a handy solution for many situations of day-to-day life — such as on public transport or in other outdoor settings — thereby multiplying the chances for your content to reach your ideal customer. So video content with professionally executed subtitles that are properly synchronized and easy to read are a powerful means of internationalizing your content to convey concepts, values, and emotions in an accurate and engaging manner.
Reference rate for subtitle translation services
The creation of professional video subtitles can start from €8 per minute.
Translations for all sectors
Explore our Language Sectors
Specialized language sectors tailored to your company
Why Eurotrad
Choose Eurotrad for the most effective subtitles
Subtitling is a lot more complex than it might seem. Professional subtitlers have to juggle a variety of factors, in addition to translating dialogue. They have to comply with strict character limits, which often require them to alter the dialogue. They also have to translate puns and cultural references, which require a great deal of experience and cultural awareness. At Eurotrad, we only work with native speakers who provide subtitle translation services that go above and beyond your needs and expectations.
OUR CLIENTS
The success stories
We support companies and entities globally with our unique energy and professionalism in projects.
We have been working with Eurotrad for a couple of years now, and we are very happy. We have worked with several agencies in the past, but since working with EuroTrad, our texts come back to us faster and with higher quality. Even short-term requests are handled quickly and to our utmost satisfaction. Eurotrad employees are reliable, fast and always extremely friendly. I can recommend EuroTrad (and have done so on several occasions)!
My first contact with Eurotrad was through friends. I was impressed by the speed and courtesy in their offering and the provision of their services. I recommend working with Eurotrad precisely because of their professionalism and seriousness. I recommend that they always propose new initiatives and activities to make themselves more known.
What is striking about Eurotrad is the quality of services and speed of delivery, especially with last-minute requests. Excellent relations with the staff, always helpful and available. I recommend that everyone work with Eurotrad — a dynamic company, always helpful, quick both in the cost estimate and in translation process. I am very happy with our collaboration, and I wish our friends of Eurotrad all the best in their continued efforts.
faq
Do you have questions about our services?
What language combinations is subtitling available for?
We translate into more than 100 languages, but we’re particularly specialized in European languages. To see all our language combinations, click here.
How can I get a cost estimate for subtitling services?
To request a quote, click here and upload the file you need translated.
You can also send your request to sales@eurotrad.com or call us at +30 0722 4272, and we will get back to you right away, no obligation.
Get a quote now
Translate your documents quickly and easily
