Guide to subtitles and captions
Make sure your message doesn’t get lost in translation by using subtitles or captions on videos.
Of 1.5 billion speakers worldwide, 360 million speak English as a first language. If you want to engage a global audience, you need to make it easy for everyone receiving.
Here’s a few ways you can make it easier for them:
Use simple language
Using a conversational tone helps to keep your language natural. Avoid jargon and long sentences, and always use the simplest word possible.
Check translated files
Ask your colleagues to check files you receive from translation companies. They often swap conversational tones for language that’s a lot less natural.
Provide subtitles
Adding subtitles to your videos is a major help. Especially with strong accents (we’ve got lots). Our video below has subtitles in English and Mandarin.
Language options
A warm and clear voiceover is so important. Record versions of your videos using native language voiceover experts. Here’s an example in Mandarin.
Get in touch today if you’d like to discuss your audience’s language requirements.
