Foreign Language Script Translation

We've been providing multilingual production services for almost two decades to Madison Avenue, Network TV and news organizations globally. Thanks to our commitment to quality practices, we've earned the confidence of clients such as A&E, ABC News, CBS, Fox, Fuji Sankei, HBO, Miramax, MSNBC, NBC, and New Line Cinema. Here's how we do it.

Script Version Control
Translation is a change process. Each page of a script by 1-800-Translate contains version, date, and sign-off info. After translation is complete, the translated script is provided to client for approval. Producers without internal multilingual capabilities often rely on suppliers or distributors for insiders' input on terminology and tone.

Before Translation
The team leader and translators will also identify terms that should be translated or pronounced in a particular way. Creating a glossary of problematic terms early in the process prevents problems in the session.

Providing Visuals to Translators Keeps Them from Writing Blind
When it comes to TV and film, translating a script is part of the entire localization process. Word and image work best in another language after careful cultural review. Before beginning translation we recommend identification of any possible cultural miscues and references that may not translate for the target audience.

Source Transcript
Translation starts with good source material. When we transcribe from audio, we use a carefully reviewed transcript of all dialogue and utterances in the original language for best results when translating.

Annotated Transcript
Before translation any slang, jokes, unusual expressions, or company-specific terminology are noted in the translators' instructions. Dialog notes also identify speech that may require gender or term-of-address adaptation, so that meaning and expression are culturally clear to the target audience

Translating the Script
Scripts are translated using experienced TV or film writers only. Broadcast and TV writing attracts the best writers in every language. Use pros only for professional results. A professional script translation checklist includes brand and contact information changes, a pronunciation guide for variable pronunciation and acronyms, and culturally-specific instructions for the talent.

A Matter of Timing
English is the language of brevity. Timing gets tricky when translating a video production into another language. Every other language in the world requires a bit more time to say the same thing. Because of that timing difference, careful translation by professional scriptwriters is required to make sure that the translated phrase hits every cue.

The timing of each line of dialogue in feet and frames or time code is defined for subtitling and voice cues. Careful translation is often enough to keep a translated script short enough to match the timing of an original. Subtitles are often translated using an abbreviated style, and translations may need to be drastically altered from the original when synced to someone's lips.

Digital editors have the option of lengthening scenes for a more natural dialogue flow, while producers working with narrators can add footage to allow more time for the voice-over.

Client Approval
Client-approved scripts are rehearsed by talent and translators days before the session. Our scripts are ready-to-read, e.g., large point size, no hyphenation, TV or movie-script format, timed and with a version stamp on every page.

During the session, clients are welcome to participate in the session through ISDN link or on-site. Clients who cannot be on-site during the session should be available to provide advice to talent and A/V engineers.

Check Tapes
Subtitles and captions are submitted on video for client approval before the final master is made.

Other Multilingual Script Services
Dialogue lists comprise every human word and sound that is contained in the film.

Subtitle and spotting lists are timed to the frame for accuracy and include extensive "annotations" or descriptions explaining any idiom, slang, or cultural reference that a translator may need, as well as precise scene descriptions, character identification, and explicit instructions for the labs regarding placement of each subtitle.

Continuity lists contain shot-by-shot scene descriptions that, once merged with the spotting and subtitle lists, produce a "Combined Continuity and Spotting List" (CCSL) which is both a legal document and a delivery requirement for film distribution.