Every business is trying to be global in the current era. The internet has made it easier and more convenient for people to watch your business content in the form of videos from all over the world. However, only watching these don’t serve the purpose. They need to understand the content in order to make purchases and sales which demand translation. Video translation is a technical and challenging task. With the world getting more than ever digitalized and advanced translation has become an integral part of every business and domain.
The important components of multimedia content such as videos, tutorials, corporate videos, and e-learning courses and their translation have become significant to explore new dimensions and opportunities. However, it is important that a competent and professional translation agency is hired to ace the job in a way that can make an impact in the international markets.
Businesses and content creators have been into creating video content that is more powerful. We have shorts, reels, and clips in video form where the content creators perform their best to hold a viewer. However, in order to retain the viewers from different regions it is important to consider the translation. Video translation services help you boost your sales, reach a wider audience and eventually increase the return on investment. However, this process is tough and complicated and demands translators with proven experience. Translating a video can be a hassle as it requires the translator to note down the content in the original language followed by the translation in the target language. The video translation can be of various forms, it may ask for the addition of captions, subtitles, or translation of the content overall.
Hence, considering the complexities of the translation of videos, it is imperative that video creators, as well as translation agencies, take care of certain factors to ensure the translated content is accurate, precise, and a quality product.
Scanning original file for errors
Video translation is a two-way process. The translator should start with the translation of the video in the original language so that scanning for the errors in the original file can be done more accurately. The transcript in the original language should be error-free. The errors in spelling, and misinterpreting the words can be amplified in the translated content. Many translators overlook the need to analyze the original file and few of them ignore this factor deliberately. Companies and translators should ensure they follow this practice for the accurate translation of video content.
Consider the pacing of the video
The video creators should ensure that they find professional translators for the task as there are multiple practices that only professionals can handle. For instance, the videos work at a certain pace. Most of these come with a natural flow and rhythm and many times translators fail to translate the word that matches the pace required in the video. Therefore, doing advanced work and working at the pace can help them make the whole process easier. A beginner translator can have to struggle while working with the pace of subtitles making viewers suffer reading these. Also, if the content is slower than the average speed it can deviate the attention of the viewer and he can shift to some other platform for better content.
Giving thought to Cultural references
Cultural significance and appropriateness is an inseparable part of the translation process. It is particularly important to consider while creating video content and targeting multiple audiences. A video that has been created for the US audience and their culture can be inappropriate for Asian audiences. The video creators should consider room for the explanation of these cultural facts for other target audiences. Likewise, translators should also ensure that they make it clear to the intended people in a way that does not infuriate them or create controversy.
Pondering over technical requirements
Video translation poses many challenges for businesses as well as translators. Translators and video creators should work together to navigate through these challenges swiftly. The technical factors that video translation involves should not be ignored or else it can mess up the whole translation. These services require specialized software and in some cases hardware too. The software should also be good enough to handle large files of videos and the hardware needs to be flawless with the video process in real-time. Content ingestion in the video should also be on the spot and top-notch. Many times the captions pop up when the character has already spoken. All these factors can ruin the viewer’s attention span and hence should be taken care of vigilantly.
Wise use of machine translation
Machine translation has evolved over the years for the good. It has become a considerable choice for businesses to use in times of need and to respond to urgent situations. There are multiple translation tools and software functional now. These include translation management systems, establishing glossary and terminology lists, and document translation management with a lot more. They not only exist but also facilitate businesses with their translation needs. However, machine translation tools and software can take a little more to get accurate and understand the context of the video translation. Therefore, translators should be wise with the use of machine translation while translating videos. As the translation tools have to struggle a lot with the contextual factor and can make the translation vague and ambiguous.
Conclusion
Translating videos is a challenging and draining task. The complexities involved ask for professional translators who understand the process and know how they can create quality content. Also, it is important that video creators and translators work together and consider multiple factors before they start the translation process for the videos.