SUBTITLES VS CLOSED CAPTIONS TV

Many people also find themselves in situations where they are unable to watch videos with the volume turned up (for example when using their mobile devices or laptops in public spaces) or clearly hear videos on maximum volume (e.g. A high percentage of this audience prefers to watch video content with the sound turned off. We are living in a hyper-connected digital era where online video content is now – more than ever – used every day by brands to reach online consumers no matter where they are based. It is also important to understand that closed captions do not only benefit viewers with hearing issues, either. This can be an effective compromise, as long as you are aware that closed captions can provide more information than foreign-speaking audiences require and may provide a different viewing experience than the one these audiences would normally have if provided with subtitled text instead. In an ideal scenario, this is the most ethical and inclusive approach to take.Ĭertain video producers and distributors choose to provide closed captions for each target language so the same solution covers foreign speakers, as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. This way, video content becomes inclusive for all of the foreign languages covered, as well as for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Including both closed captions and subtitles in video contents will help cater for the widest possible range of audiences. However, to say closed captions are better for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences while subtitles are better for foreign-speaking audiences is an oversimplification.

SUBTITLES VS CLOSED CAPTIONS TV

This is why closed captions are generally the preferred method for TV broadcasts and subtitles are more common in foreign cinema. Closed captions were initially created for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, while subtitles were designed for translating video content into foreign languages. The most important thing to understand about captions and subtitles is that they are designed for different audiences. Understanding these seven key differences between captions and subtitles helps in terms of knowing which one is most suitable for each audience.Ĭaptions vs subtitles: which one is suitable for my video project? Synchronisation with dialogue is crucial.Normally provided in different languages to the original material.Aim to provide an understanding of the on-screen dialogue and important text that appears on the screen.Originally designed for foreign-speaking audiences.Synchronisation with dialogue may be less precise when the priority is to convey more informationħ characteristics that differentiate subtitles.On-screen placement can change if captions obscure visual elements.Normally provided in the same language as the original material.Aim to provide a complete understanding of the on-screen action in the video.Originally designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.To clarify how captions and subtitles differ, discussing the key characteristics of each that make them suitable for different scenarios, is beneficial.Īlso Read: Voice overs, subtitles or captions – which is the best approach for video translation? 7 characteristics that differentiate closed captions Essentially, both place text over video content to help viewers understand what is happening, but they are traditionally designed for different audiences. a newspaper headline read by a character in a film).įrom these definitions, you can get a good sense of how captions and subtitles differ, despite having much in common. Unlike closed captions, subtitles are not required to identify speakers or describe contextual sounds, but they will translate important on-screen text (e.g. Subtitles place text over video content to depict spoken dialogue, often translating speech into foreign languages for audiences who are unable to understand the source language. door knocks, sirens, waves crashing, etc.). This includes identifying speakers and describing contextual sounds (e.g. What are closed captions?Ĭlosed captions (CC) place text over video content to depict spoken dialogue for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, as well as additional contextual information. subtitles: key differences you need to knowīefore getting into the differences between captions and subtitles, it is always useful to discuss definitions.

Subtitles vs closed captions