They are ordered by distributors from specialized companies (which have teams of freelance translators) or directly from these professionals. Although there are many translation and subtitling studios (and that sometimes also do dubbing), the increase in content production and the variety of media (TV, Blu-ray, cinema, streaming…) has made channels and production companies prefer each manage the production of subtitles via online platforms, without having to hire a studio. Professionals undergo capacity tests that assess their experience, their knowledge of languages and, above all, their cultural background in the language to be translated. Diploma can help, but not mandatory. On average, per month, each production company is responsible for translating 15 TV series and more than 200 hours of films.
– (Duba/Strange World)
1. When the production company receives the request for subtitling, the process of selecting professionals who will make the Brazilian version begins. Each product has a specific translator profile: in addition to experience and knowledge of the languages, the candidate’s affinity with the subject of the material and its repertoire are decisive to ensure a good translation job
two. The material received by the production company is watched from cover to cover to determine the entry and exit points of each subtitle (timing). There is a specific professional, the marker, for this job. It tells the software the exact position and time each subtitle should appear and disappear.
3. Generally, the translator has access to the audiovisual material and its script to ensure a faithful translation. In some cases, as in the series Casa, Lar It is Law & Order, the producer consults doctors and lawyers to translate technical terms used in the series. It is common for translators to talk to fan clubs to adjust the tone of the dialogues or have a glossary of technical terms for certain series.
4. The translation must always be faithful to the script and goes through several adaptations: for the subtitle to be readable, there is a limit of characters per line (CPL) and per second (CPS) in each medium. Example: game of thrones is limited to 32 CPL on TV and up to 42 on Blu-ray. There are different rules for different media and HBO orders both subtitles. Gringo terms are regionalized, brands and merchandising in dialogues are annulled and profanity is toned down. But there are distributors who ask that inappropriate content be kept so as not to mischaracterize the material
5. The deadline for producing subtitles varies between 5 and 7 days, depending on the product. In extreme cases, the translator has only two days. In blockbusters and series shown in parallel in Brazil and in the USA (simulcast), such as game of Thronessome studios do a blind translation, using only the scripts sent by the distributor, without watching the episode or movie
6. When the production company makes the subtitles for a film or series, it gives the exhibition rights only to those who hired it. For this reason, it is common for films and series to be resubtitled and even redubbed, as it is much cheaper (and less bureaucratic) to redo everything than to buy the rights to show subtitles from another channel.
7. Once the subtitles are ready, a proofreader is responsible for quality control, which includes reviewing the translation and the language. He also pays attention to technical subtitling parameters, such as display times and the number of characters in the subtitle. At Netflix, quality control is strict, with reports on production companies and contracted freelancers. Once approved, the caption is sent directly to the company or channel, which is responsible for implementation
8. The relationship between professional studios and creators of fansubs, amateur subtitles made by fans, is quite tumultuous. While some companies see the activity as a way to gain experience (several amateur translators become professionals in the area), others claim that this is an obstacle to professional work. But the use of amateur subtitles in professional translations (and vice versa) is condemned by both parties.
Reader’s question Renata Lima Gonçalves, Suzano, SP
Consultancy Larissa Habib Ciccone and Othelo Sabbag Lopes, freelance translators, Leilane Papa, operational director of Dispositiva Produções, and Moacyr Lopes, founder of Gemini Media