Becoming an audiovisual translator can be a very exciting option for translators looking to specialize in a given field.
Nevertheless, starting out in the subtitling, dubbing, or voiceover industry should in no way be left to chance.
To succeed as an audiovisual translator, it is important to have a firm grasp of some principles and best practices of AVT translation.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to become an audiovisual translator, this blog interview comes in handy as it uncovers the most critical things you need to know.
Let’s dive in.
Adechina: Hello Bliss, so great to have you on. What can you tell us about yourself?
Bliss: Thank you so much for the interview, Adechina. I am a linguist and translator specializing in audiovisual translation. I am of Anglo-Italian origin, but I also work with the Spanish language.
My business partner and I founded Roots Translations where we specialize in a variety of translation fields and languages with a close-knit team of professional freelancers.
Language and culture are my biggest passions and I am so happy to be part of an industry with so many talented colleagues.
What is audiovisual translation and what are its key components?
Audiovisual translation is a specialized branch that deals with many disciplines carried out by professionals who localize content such as movies, documentaries, TV shows, corporate videos, commercials, etc.
Most people are familiar with subtitling and dubbing, but there are as many as 13 different types of audiovisual translation.
Although some modes don’t require a language exchange (such as closed captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing, and audio description for the blind and visually impaired), we still call it translation. Reason being, there is rendering between two different aspects: the audio portion of the video and the written word that we produce to blend perfectly with it.
Step1: Watch and listen carefully to the video
My approach to each project is to first watch and listen carefully to the video in order to fully understand the context and the language level. I ask myself questions like:
- Is there any dialect?
- How is the audio quality?
- How many speakers are there?
Step2: Transcription and creation of time-coded templates
After watching the video, I start transcribing the source language and then I create time-coded templates. Never underestimate this step because the better the quality of the template, the better the quality of the subtitle’s translation.
Step3: Translation
Throughout the whole procedure, make sure you run in-depth research. Recognizing and becoming familiar with the names of places, people, and any culture-specific references are all key to producing accurate content.
Once I start considering the number of characters, the expansion or reduction between languages, the grammar rules, and following subtitle conventions, then the intricacies begin. So, patience is crucial at this step.
Step4: Proofreading and Quality Assurance
More often than not, I distance myself from the project by leaving it for a few hours or even overnight before returning to it with added clarity. This allows me to reset, revise, proofread, and perform quality assurance to eliminate errors.
Once I am completely happy with the final translation, I’ll deliver it to the client.
How long does a typical audiovisual translation project take?
Bliss: Well, one thirty-minute clip can take much longer than another thirty-minute clip because of the context.
As mentioned above, we have different footage types such as verité, interviews, episodes, or documentaries. Each of them is unique and has some special features.
What’s more, the dialect and the audio quality are some main factors that can make a huge difference while you’re working on an AVT translation project.
But speaking generally, an hour-long episode of a TV series or a documentary can take anywhere from three days to a week. A feature-length film could take up to two or three weeks.
In a nutshell, it really depends on the type of media you’re working on and your experience and ability as a translator.
What are the best audiovisual translation tools out there?
Bliss: The development of technologies in the last 20 years as well as the spread of audiovisual programs outside the cinema and TV industries have completely revolutionized the audiovisual marketplace and enhanced how subtitling programs function.
These are some of what I consider the best AVT tools out there today:
Free audiovisual translation software:
- Aegisub (my personal favorite)
- Subtitle Workshop
- Subtitle Edit
- Amara
- Jubler
Paid audiovisual translation tools:
How to become an audiovisual translator?
Key #1: Be highly creative and develop an audiovisual culture
It’s of paramount importance to hone a robust audiovisual culture and develop a certain level of creativity and sensitivity towards languages.
Watching TV with captions and subtitles and paying attention to how they are translated and written on the screen is some of the best (and fun) homework you can do!
Key #2: Have a good command of your working languages
It is absolutely vital to have a deep knowledge of the source and target language and culture. That enables you to rise to certain translation challenges such as nuances, cultural specificities, and verbal humor.
Key #3: Be detail-oriented
Meticulous attention to detail is essential, among other things. The number of seconds the subtitle is on screen is counted plus the number of characters on each line of the subtitle.
Key #4: Get some certifications
If you are able to take postgraduate studies such as an MA, PGDip, or PGCert specializing in audiovisual translation, that will not only equip you with the expertise but also show your commitment and further knowledge of the profession. And that, dear readers, goes a long way.
CPD (Continuous Professional Development) is a big thing for anyone in the industry. There are always online courses you can take, free or paid, on platforms like:
- Udemy
- ProZ
- GoSub
- EdX
- Subtitling Course, and the likes.
Furthermore, membership associations like ITI and CIOL offer a plethora of resources to expand your skillset.
Key #5: Get hands-on experience
After taking all the courses and honing your skills, it’s good to get hands-on experience in audiovisual translation. That will help you ascertain if AVT is actually something you picture yourself doing.
For this purpose, there are platforms such as TED Talks which has built up a strong community of volunteer translators to subtitle videos in over 30 languages. You can sign up to subtitle the videos there. Instructions are provided on how to translate the videos using free subtitling software. To learn more, check here.
Once you understand the foundations, you can only throw yourself into it and practice, practice, and practice.
- Note: Check this guide on how to succeed as a freelance translator.
What would you consider your best experience as an audiovisual translator so far?
I can’t believe you’re asking me this, Adechina (lol). I would have to say it was being involved in the translation of one of the most successful Italian TV shows, GOMORRA.
Actually, it’s a show I already watched and loved. So when I was approached to work on it, I was over the moon.
It was such a great experience because my understanding and familiarity with the characters really aided my translation decisions. It was a total dream come true and a real milestone in my career so far.
What is the most striking thing about being an audiovisual translator?
I think it is how many aspects you have to juggle simultaneously to ensure that the best work is produced. You have to pay close attention to the space and time restrictions, the language features such as terminology, register, grammar, jokes, and colloquial phrases.
There are also stylistic conventions like punctuation, italics, abbreviations, and text reductions. There is a lot of work that goes into producing high-quality subtitles or captions – more than some people think.
It is common for people to say that certain subtitles do not reflect the audio of the video they’re watching, or that they aren’t exactly correct. That’s probably because the translator has to follow many conventions and guidelines that sometimes mean changing slightly the on-screen text.
Would you still like to be an audiovisual translator in 10 years’ time?
Yes! I absolutely love my job. The content I work with changes every day so there is no lack of job satisfaction at all. I am constantly learning new things about the world: people, history, stories, culture – I don’t see how I can tire of that any time soon. I am excited to see where the industry is in ten years’ time.
What would you like to tell translation aficionados out there dreaming of becoming audiovisual translators?
Curious about how to become an audiovisual translator? Follow your passion and refine your skills. We are living in a world crazy about films and TV shows, and fortunately, more attention is being paid to international films. So, being able to bridge the gap between many different cultures is something I consider a privilege.
As Bong Joon-Ho put it, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Your passion will naturally be reflected in your work. So, do what you love and trust in the process. Good luck!
