When watching video-based content, you are surely familiar with subtitles. In today’s digital age, almost all types of videos have subtitles, at least in English. The purpose is simple: to enable viewers to easily understand the content of the video without feeling confused.
Over time, subtitles are now being translated into various languages. This is done because not everyone understands the original language of the video. Subtitle translation is not merely a process of translating text from the source language to the target language. To learn more, read the explanation below.
What Is Subtitle Translation?
Subtitle translation is basically the process of translating subtitle text from one language to another so that it can be understood by different audiences. The subtitle text usually already has a time setting, so the translator only focuses on word choice, clarity of meaning, and readability on screen.
In practice, subtitle translation is often used for movies, series, YouTube videos, and even educational and promotional content. Due to limited text space, translated sentences often need to be shortened without changing the main message. Tools commonly used to facilitate subtitle translation include Subtitle Edit and Aegisub.
What Are Some Things to Keep in Mind When Translating Subtitles?
When translating subtitles, translators cannot use general translation methods such as word-to-word translation. This is because it will greatly affect the final result. To achieve a high-quality translation, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Limit the number of characters.
Don’t make the text too dense, because viewers only have a short time to read it.
- Check the timing.
Subtitles should appear and disappear in sync with the dialogue so that viewers don’t miss important information.
- Pay attention to cultural context.
Expressions, idioms, or humor often need to be adapted so that they make sense to other viewers.
- Use short but clear words.
Subtitles are read quickly, so long sentences can be confusing.
- Maintain consistency in terminology.
This is important, especially if the video is part of a series or contains technical terms so that viewers don’t get confused.
The Benefits of Quality Subtitle Translation
Translating video subtitles into Indonesian opens up huge opportunities to expand your business reach in the dynamic and digitally savvy Indonesian market, as video content is a very popular and widely consumed medium among local users. With Indonesian subtitles, your videos are easier for local audiences to understand, increasing brand awareness, traffic, and sales potential, as well as giving you a competitive edge over poorly translated content.
In addition, accurate subtitles can also improve SEO visibility, as search engines can index video content better, and make content more accessible to a wider group of people, including those with disabilities. Translations that respect local culture also demonstrate cultural sensitivity, strengthen the audience’s emotional connection to the content, and help them understand the video without language barriers.
Kesimpulan
Subtitle translation is not simply a matter of translating words from one language to another. Translators must work within technical constraints while paying attention to meaning, context, and consistency. The quality of subtitles plays an important role in shaping how viewers enjoy and understand videos. When subtitles are well translated, content can reach a wider audience that may have previously been limited by language barriers.
Indonesian 
English