If your company is wanting to prepare a video for international viewers, it is not enough to translate word for word. The key to success is accurate localization, meaning not just translating the text but the meaning. Translating your videos into other foreign languages can increase your views and is a great SEO strategy, as your video will be able to be accessed by more people across the world. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind to produce English videos into foreign languages:
Hire a professional translation company
You cannot compromise on this. Video translation requires translators who are fluent in English, your source language, and your target language(s). Accuracy in your translations can make you a reputable business or drive business away.
Choose your video format
There are a couple of different options when it comes to the format of your video translation such as subtitles, captions, voice overs, or a combination of them. Each type of format has pros and cons. For example, subtitles work well because they don’t get in the way of the actors personalities or performance. Voice overs may be a better option for visually-oriented videos. Voice overs allow the viewers to focus on the video instead of reading the text. It just depends on the type of video you have and the point you are trying to get across.
Finalize video before transcription/translation begins
Be sure you send the translators the finalized footage before they begin the transcription/translation process- this will save you both time and money. Transcription is the first step is transcribing all of the dialogue in the footage. Translators will use this to create your voice over scripts or subtitle captions. Video translation is when the video transcription is translated into each of the target languages.
Allow for expansion
When videos are translated from one language to another, there is often an expansion of text. Be sure to leave enough time and space between sentences so that there’s room to fit a longer voice-over in the timeline.
Is your company in need of video translation? At Same Day Translations, we provide high-quality video translations that can help you reach your goals of reaching your audience. Reach out to us today at [email protected] for a quote.