Screenplay Translation
A screenplay contains dialogue and stage directions. The translation of a screenplay may be necessary for the film shoot or for an application for public funding, or it may serve as the basis for other texts.
Live Subtitling
This type of audiovisual translation is comparable to interpreting. It usually serves to make live broadcasts such as newscasts, live shows, sportscasts or streaming events accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing. The subtitles are created and broadcast in real time.
There are different methods for this. Subtitlers either type along with the speakers, or they repeat the spoken text into speech recognition software. This process is called “respeaking”. The input or output text is corrected if necessary and fed directly into the video signal, so that the live broadcast is subtitled with a few seconds' delay.
Other forms of live subtitling include translations of silent film title cards and of surtitles for opera or foreign-language theatre, where previously prepared titles are patched in.
Similar to acoustic interpreting, live subtitles are often produced by teams of two or more people.
Live Voice-Over
Here the transcribed dialogue of a film is translated, so that it can be spoken live by professional voice artists at screenings, e.g. at film festivals.
Video Game Localisation
Video game localisation combines a wide variety of areas. It requires skills in technical writing, literary and lyrical translation, as well as classic disciplines of audiovisual translation such as subtitling and translation for dubbing. Game localisers must be scrupulous and precise, creative, flexible, and familiar with pop culture.
Speech-to-Text Interpreting
Speech-to-text interpreting means that the spoken word in live or online events is simultaneously written down for the hearing-impaired. The speech-to-text interpreter has to take into account the target group's requirements (reading literacy, language literacy, terminology etc.). If necessary, the spoken text must be simplified simultaneously. There are three main techniques:
1. Conventional method: The interpreter types the text as quickly as possible while simultaneously correcting possible mistakes.
2. Language method: The interpreter dictates the text into speech software (trained to his or her voice) while simultaneously correcting possible mistakes.
3. Automatic capture and output by artificial intelligence (AI). This is still very prone to errors.
For on-site events the text can be projected onto a screen (via beamer) or a mobile phone (via the internet). For online events the text is made available in the form of subtitles in a separate window or on mobile devices.
Editing/Proofreading
Application of the dual control principle is an important step prior to publication of any text, whether it is translated or created from scratch – the time and effort this requires cannot be underestimated. Apart from making typing errors, audiovisual translators may mishear or misunderstand the material.
Editing also involves checking the content and making suggestions for improvement or abbreviation (especially for subtitles or voice-over texts), whereas proofreading is mainly limited to checking spelling and grammar.
Transcription
A transcription or transcript is the written version of a film's dialogues. It is usually produced by native speakers and used to help with the translation for subtitling, dubbing, etc.
Coordination of Project Teams
The AVÜ considers this task to be a separate service. It is invoiced directly to the customer, independently of the fees for the audiovisual services.
This involves coordinating a team within the scope of larger projects that include, for example, subtitling in several languages, foreign-language and accessible subtitles, or a complete accessible package.
Voice Actors
Voice actors are trained to use their voices for specific requirements such as voice-overs (in the recording studio or live in the cinema), audio description or dubbing.
Voice Director
When recording voice-overs, audio descriptions or dubbing, voice directors ensure that the spoken text is interpreted correctly, in terms of both content and language. They use the script to verify that no text passages are skipped, correct any incorrect intonation, and guide the speakers to use their voices effectively.
