

In these cases, subtitles or closed caption text on the screen may distract viewers from the video’s content.Įxamples of videos where voice-over translation may be preferable to text on a screen are: videos with complex dialogue, narrated videos, eLearning videos, video games, and commercial projects (i.e., advertising projects meant for TV or radio). Voice-over narration tends to be most effective for videos containing important visual elements that viewers need to pay attention to, such as on-screen action, artwork, graphs, landscape scenery, or expensive graphics. Always ask voice actors for samples before hiring them for your content, so you can evaluate their tone and style before recording. If the chemistry isn’t there or the voices do not align with the characters in the video, the audio may fall flat with the intended audience. Both can rack up costs during the production, and the entire process can take some time.Īlso, finding the right voice actor(s) for your content can be challenging. In addition to hiring the voice artist, you will also need access to a studio space for recording. In very basic terms, the process includes translating the dialogue into the target language, then hiring a voice-over actor to record the new script in the target language. In general, voice-over services tend to be more costly than subtitles or closed captions. Voice-over localization also allows voice actors to recreate the original tone and voice of the native dialogue in a new language. Voice-over translation is also best when there is a complex dialogue between more than one speaker, especially if they interrupt each other when speaking. A voice-over actor will adapt the audio accordingly. Also, you don’t need to worry about the pace of the spoken audio or how quickly your audience is able to read. Voice-Over ProsĪdapting your video’s content using voice-overs allows your intended audience to enjoy the content without the distraction of text on the screen. If you are deciding between subtitles or voice-over for your video content’s audio translation, it’s beneficial to weigh the pros and cons of each service. Although your intended audience and the kind of content you produce often play a significant role in deciding which audio translation method to use, it’s a good idea to evaluate your options before making an audio translation selection. Now that you have a better understanding of what each service entails, let’s review the pros and cons of each when it comes to optimizing your video content for global audiences. Closed captions display text on the screen representing the spoken dialogue and any sounds or comments necessary to aid deaf viewers in accessing video content. Closed CaptionsĬlosed captioning is similar to subtitling however, it’s primarily used to reach deaf or hard-of-hearing audiences. Subtitling will also translate any other important text that appears on screen, such as quotes, statistics, signs, etc. Subtitling involves placing text on the screen that translates the spoken dialogue as it’s being spoken. For example, popular streaming services like Netflix often use voice-overs when adapting films for viewing in different countries. Voice-over translation involves creating an audio track of the video’s spoken content using voice actors or voice-over artists, then syncing the translated track with your video content. What is the Difference Between Voice-Over, Subtitling, and Closed Captions?īefore deciding on the best service for your video content’s translation, it’s essential to understand the differences between each service. So how do you decide which service – subtitles or voice-over or subtitles vs closed captions – is best for optimizing your video’s audio for global audiences? This article will provide an overview and comparison of all three services and common use cases for each, so you can confidently choose the right service for your content.

The tricky part is deciding which service is the best solution for translating your content.

However, visual content intended for foreign markets requires adaptation to overcome language barriers.įortunately, language services companies like Dynamic Language offer several options for language adaptation within video content, including voice-overs, subtitles, and closed captions. From entertainment to education, companies are using video to reach global audiences. Video content is a powerful communication tool and one of the most popular mediums available.
