Subtitling is one of the most common modes of audio visual translation. The second mode of audio visual translation is dubbing. Subtitling has major advantages over dubbing, as O‘Connell puts out in his book that subtitling translation is an inexpensive, quick, foreign culture friendly and generally fairly politically correct mode of screen translation.
Luyken defined Subtitling as the “condensed written translations of original dialogue which appear as lines of text, usually positioned towards the foot of the screen. Subtitles appear and disappear to coincide in time with the corresponding portion of the original dialogue and are almost always added to the screen image at a later date as a post-production activity.” Shuttleworth & Cowie defined subtitling as “a term used to refer to one of the two main methods of language transfer used in translating types of mass audio visual communication such as film and television”.
Universal Language Solutions is a prominent subtitling company that provide professional translation services. We provide subtitling services for a variety of audio visual platforms such as cinema, television, video, DVD, Laser Disc, CD Rom, computer games, Internet and live performances, etc. Besides subtitling we also translate documents and are regarded as one of the best translation agencies London.
The field of subtitling was often ignored by scholars of translation. Eminent scholars of translation like Fawcett, mentioned in his book about subtitling that “in view of the synchronization requirement some have even questioned whether it should be considered a type of translation at all”. However due to the immense gitemth of audio visual and screen translation, the field of subtitling is gaining importance like never before.
As a leading translation company UK, we provide extensive training for all our subtitling experts. Our extensive training sessions helps our translators provide the best translation services UK. To augment the study of subtitling, subtitling services have been divided into various classifications, which aim at categorizing them on the basis of distinctive characteristics of the various types of subtitling and there different target audiences. Two main approaches for classifying subtitling services are traditional classification and new types of subtitles.
Under the traditional approach to subtitling, subtitling was divided into various classes depending on just two main parameters which were linguistic and technical. Based on the linguistic parameter, subtitling was divided into Interlingual subtitling and Intralingual subtitling. Later two more classifications on the basis of linguistic parameter were added, Instrumental subtitling and Documentary subtitling. The other classifications of subtitling based on technical parameter were Open subtitling and Closed subtitling. Later classification of subtitling services added few more classes of subtitling which were the Interlingual subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH) and Amateur subtitling.
Another popular classification of subtitling services was made by Jan Ivarsson, who classified subtitling on the basis of various parameters which are linguistic and technical parameters, other parameters like areas of application, audience, writing skills and time. On the basis of these parameters he distinguished six types of subtitling which are subtitling for cinema and television, multilingual subtitling, teletext subtitling, reduced subtitling, subtitling live or in real time, the translation of opera, theatrical works, conferences, etc.
Another prominent classification of subtitling services was made by Eduard Bartoll. He distinguished subtitling services on the basis of nine main parameters which are placing, the filing of subtitles, localization, mobility, optionality, time, audiovisual product to be subtitled, channel/means of broadcast and color. On the basis of these parameters he classified subtitling based on the parameter of placing into centered and non-centered subtitles, based on the parameter of the filing of subtitles into inseparable and separable part, like electronic subtitles, on the basis of the parameter of localization into subtitles, intertitles and surtitles, on the basis of the parameter of mobility into mobile and fixed subtitles, on the basis of the parameter of optionality into optional or closed subtitles and non-optional or open subtitles, on the basis of the parameter of time into pre-recorded and simultaneous subtitles, on the basis of the parameter of audiovisual product to be subtitled into subtitling for cinema, television, video, DVD, Laser Disc, CD Rom, computer games, Internet (Streaming Video), and live performances, on the basis of the parameter of channel or means of broadcasting he classified subtitling through an impression upon the audiovisual product itself, by teletext, on a display, e.g. electronic, projected on top of the product or on a nearby screen or by simultaneous broadcasting, and on the basis of the parameter of color he classified subtitling depending on the interlocutors; the color of the film, whether in black and white or color; and the products to be subtitled.
Looking for an experienced translation company to handle your next translation project? We can help! Find out more about our premier services by calling us at +44 (0)20 3940 3255. You can also email us at info@universallanguagesolutions.co.uk. To get an estimate for our services, please complete our free quote form to get an instant quote.
It may be a small world but communicating effectively in a global market place is a big challenge.
Universal Language Solutions is the company of choice for some of the world’s best-known brands who trust us to meet their translation and interpreting needs.
Combining the latest technology with the skill of our professional linguists, we offer a complete range of cost effective translation services in over 140 different languages, with the capacity to turn work around quickly to meet your deadline.
One thing that needs no translation is quality. Our experienced translators and interpreters take the utmost care to provide reliable, bespoke translations so you can be safe in the knowledge that what we deliver is accurate and meaningful.
How do you charge for translations? +
We charge a “per word” rate. The rate per word depends on the language combination, complexity of the subject matter and the turnaround time you require.
How do I count the words in my document? +
Doing a word count can be tricky, especially if your document contains pictures with embedded text or you have a PDF. The easiest way to get a word count is to send us all of your documents and let us do the word count for you. We have advanced OCR (Optical Character Recognition) programs that can do word counts on any document or image and in any language, including Asian and Middle Eastern languages. Alternatively, if you’re working from a Word for Windows document that contains only text, Microsoft Word 2007 shows the word count in the lower left-hand side of the application.
How long will it take to translate my document? +
We endeavour always to meet our client deadlines. For very large projects we will assign as many translators as required to ensure the deadline is met.
What method should I use to send my documents, and how do you send them back? +
The best way to send the document(s) is to email us a copy of your document, or to upload it using our free quotation form. Alternatively you can send your document by fax or a photocopy by post. We are able to receive both PC and Mac formats, although our staff and administrators mostly use PC-based systems. We can send you your completed translations in any format and by any method you require.
Why an online translation service? +
Quite simply to save you time and money! Who has the time nowadays to carry documents up and down the UK for a translation? It is obviously much more comfortable to upload a document or email it as an attachment without leaving your home or office.
Can I deliver/collect the documents in person? +
We offer online translation services, but on rare occasions where a document is extremely urgent some clients do come in person to collect their material. However, it is much more practical to deliver documents using our website or by email, or post, where these options are viable.
How much do I have to pay extra for the translation to be posted to my address? +
The answer is short: Nothing at all. The cost of sending the translation by First Class Royal Mail is included in the price of service. In special cases, for a £15 surcharge we can use the Royal Mail Special Delivery service, whereby the delivery is guaranteed on the next working day after posting.
Who performs the translation? +
We use our in-house translators who specialise in western European languages. For any other combinations we have a team of high quality, certified, freelance translators with impeccable credentials and extensive experience. They are responsive, talented, trustworthy and 100% committed professionals with whom we have built and established a solid working relationship over time.
How do you ensure your translations are accurate? +
All Universal Language Solutions Ltd translations are accurate. We have designed our quality control system to allow each team member to perform their functions in real time, supporting each other’s specialised functions, checking each other’s work, sharing terminology databases and research. Continuous process improvements are built in. Our project management system adapts to the needs of any project, bringing in different and complementary skill sets as required.
How do you enforce confidentiality? +
We recognise that legal translations require absolute confidentiality. Every team member who handles your document signs (1) an in-house corporate non-disclosure agreement, and (2) a project-by-project confidentiality agreement. Our project management system allows us to control exactly who has access to your documents, and levels of access are adjusted according to the role of the authorised team member.
Is a more expensive translation necessarily a better one? +
In this industry, as in many others, it is usually true that you get what you pay for. When hiring a reputable company (like Universal Language Solutions Ltd) for a translation project, you are paying for their extensive resources and experience. If you care about the quality of your project, you should care about the quality of the translation. A poorly-executed translation will do more than just confuse its intended recipients, it might also destroy your professional reputation.
Sworn or certified translations? +
Yes. Universal In the UK, the sworn translation is purely theoretical whereas it is typically the principal term used overseas for official translations. The UK equivalent is simply referred to as a ‘Certified Translation’ and this is what the main UK authorities and institutions will require as part of an application.
Find us on Facebook
Find us on Twitter