Translation: |
Remember translation expands
between 10% to 25% from one language to another. |
Translator: |
An average page contains between
250 (12 Font) and 400 (8 font) words. A translator works at the rate of between
1,500 and 2,000 words per day. That is about 5 to 8 pages. Checking and polishing
the work is completed at the rate of 6000 words. Between 15 to 24 pages per day. |
Proofreading: |
Due to the complexity of some
documents the proofreader needs to spend detailed time before the document is
ready. Proofreading takes the same amount of time as checking and polishing do. |
Glossary: |
Creation of regularly used words
and phrases. This reduces the need for research or double word usage allowing
consistent translation. |
Style: |
The biggest cause of dispute
over a translation document is undoubtedly style. Everybody has an opinion on
style and everybody is entitled to an opinion but not everybody is an expert.
Remember grammatical error is different than grammatical preference. |
Machine versus Human: |
For now machines and translation
memory software can be used for spell checking and helping translation to be
consistent, but translation is still an art that needs to be done by human
knowledge and professional skill. The team involved in the project addreses not
just language barrier but also cultural nuances. |
End of translation: |
Does the final document reads as
close to the original text in the target language? Was all the original text
translated? Was the terminology in the translated document checked with the
terminology in the reference material? Was the translation material appropriate
for the target audience? Was the spell check carried out? |
Interpretation- Consecutive: |
The interpreter listens to what
the other person says and then translates in the target language immediately
afterwards. |
Interpretation- Simultaneous: |
In the scene the
interpreter listens and translates simultaneously. This takes tremendous
concentration. |
Subtitling:
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Is the translation and condensed interpretation of the dialogue displayed as
text overlaid on the video. Subtitling is place on the bottom of the pictures
and the written phrases posted on the screen have to be well coordinated by time
and compression to the actual event on the screen. The viewer can select to
display the subtitles or avoid them.
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Line 21:
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The
standard for the USA closed captioning uses Line 21 of the VBI-lines for
transmission rather than DVB subtitling European standards. The data for Line 21
allows for recording and playback on a consumer VCR.
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Foreign language subtitling:
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When Teletext and DVB subtitling or a similar method is used, several languages
can be transmitted simultaneously on one channel. Using either a decoder and a
character generator at the head end of a cable TV system, at a local transmitter
or in viewer's decoder (DVB), the subtitles can be displayed in the selected
language.
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Voice-over:
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Is more appropriate when the speaker doesn't appear on the screen. If this is
the case, a new translated audio is added while the original voice and language
are retained in the background.
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Dubbing:
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Is used when the speaker is on the
screen. When the shots are close, for example,
facial shots of the speaker, dubbing is not recommended. When this is the case
we need special manuscript so it could be translated and adapted for the lip
movement on the screen.
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Fonts:
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Subtitles
can be displayed using different fonts. Subtitles should distract as little as
possible from the picture. Line 21 and Teletext normally do not allow for custom
fonts but have to rely on built-in decoder fonts in the TV.
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Synchronization:
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Video
and audio are both synchronized to ensure that sound matches motion. Multilingual
Planet produces media with video/audio, sound effects, overlays, and art cards.
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