In today’s digital age, visual aids play a crucial role in conveying ideas. This is especially the case when it comes to videos. Social media videos produce twelve times as many shares as text and photos put together, and viewers share 92 percent of video material, according to a new study from the International Federation of Public Relations (IFP). Videos also lead to 49 percent higher growth than other types of media.
But imagine for a second that you’ve made English-language videos. Eventually, the language barrier will be an issue for those videos. Video translation is an absolute must if you want your video material to reach its full potential. You can add audio track for video in any language to reach more audiences.
When translating a video, there are a number of factors to consider, as there are with any translation process. The steps are as follows:
Video Translation Strategy
It may appear simple to plan video translation in advance if you already possess the footage and are aware of the destination languages. But that’s not all: you’ll also need to hire a translator or two.
The tone, message, and technical aspects of the video need analysis. Subtitles, voiceover, or dubbing may be used depending on your language service provider’s discretion. Think about your target audience and the language(s) they speak when deciding on localization aspects.
Afterwards, a transcriber will closely observe the film and record the narration word for word, just as it is heard on screen. Notable numbers, genders, and vocal tones in the video are also recorded. The narrative and text are time-stamped at various points in the transcription process.
Video Content Translation, Localization, and Ad Subtitling
In order for video translation to be successful, it is essential that the client and translator have a mutual understanding of the client’s requirements and goals. The level of technical complexity involved in translating a video depends on whether it will be accompanied by subtitles, voiceover, or dubbing.
Word-for-word, or “verbatim,” translations are the norm. It is possible to begin the localization process once all words have been translated. To make sure it’s suitable for different cultures, the subtitles and captions can have different words.
The likelihood of new viewers not being able to comprehend your English video is significant, given that only 20% of the global population speaks English as their native language. The expense of filming new footage in each new language you want to add to your material is also high.
Nevertheless, voiceovers, dubbing, or subtitles can help you localize your current material. Let’s examine each choice in detail:
Using Subtitles
These let viewers read the lines said by your video’s actors and are ideal for budget-conscious brands. The translated text that appears at the bottom of the screen is called a subtitle.
Dubbing
The term “dubbing” refers to the practice of combining native speakers of one language with those of another. The procedure is time-consuming and costly compared to subtitling, but it’s easier for viewers to understand because they aren’t distracted by reading while viewing a video.
Voice Over
If your video doesn’t have any talking heads or dialogue, a voiceover can be the perfect choice. For videos that mostly feature landscapes or other non-social elements, this is a solid choice.
Video Metadata
Search engines like Google rely on metadata to identify and understand your video. Metadata is a crucial part of making sure your videos can be found by people on all devices when they search for them in their local language.
Summary
Making your video material available in other languages will increase your exposure, which in turn will boost interaction and, eventually, your earnings. Depending on your brand’s requirements and the details of your business, the process may include dubbing, subtitling, or recording a new voiceover for the video.
