In short
- Start from an accurate transcript with timecodes, then translate for the time of each scene, not word for word.
- Choose between subtitles, voice-over translation and dubbing based on what the viewer is doing while watching.
- Have a native speaker review the result against the picture before you publish.
Six steps
- Get a clean transcriptWrite down every spoken line with its timecode. If you have the original script, use it, but check it against the final cut because scripts change during editing.
- Decide languages and marketsName the markets, not only the languages. Spanish for Spain and Spanish for Mexico are different audiences, and the accent and the wording follow the market.
- Translate and adaptTranslate for meaning and for the time each line has on screen. Where the translation runs long, shorten it rather than speeding up the voice.
- Choose the methodSubtitles, voice-over translation or dubbing, as set out below.
- Review against the pictureA native speaker watches the result with the video and checks wording, timing, on-screen text and tone.
- Deliver per languageName each file clearly and deliver audio, subtitles or both in the format your editor or platform needs.
Choosing how viewers receive the translation
| Method | Effort | Best when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtitles | Lightest: translation plus timing | Viewers can read, or watch without sound | Reading speed and long lines cover the picture |
| Voice-over translation | A translated voice laid over the original | Interviews, documentaries and testimonials | The original must be quiet enough not to compete |
| Dubbing | A full new audio track, adapted and timed | Training, ads and entertainment | The script must be adapted to each line's length |
If you are unsure, test one short clip in the method you prefer and show it to a native speaker before you commit the whole video.
Common mistakes
- Translating the transcript without seeing the video, so the words do not match what is on screen.
- Forgetting text inside the picture, such as titles, menus and captions.
- Using a literal translation that is too long, then speeding up the voice to fit.
- Skipping the native review because the translation looked correct on paper.
- Leaving product names and terms undecided, so the same word is said three different ways.
What to prepare before you start
The final cut of the video, the script if there is one, a list of names and terms that must stay the same, the languages and markets, and where the video will be shown. With these, a producer can say which method fits and what the work involves.
