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Need some advice on audio localization?
Avishek Bhattacharya
Ins and outs of audio localization
When thinking about expanding your media content to international markets, it’s easy to overlook the complexity of audio localization and subtitling in the flurry of translating your content. While many people might think that this simply amounts to replacing spoken audio with a translated version, or adding timed lines of text at the bottom of the screen, there are actually many factors that influence the quality of audio localization and subtitling. Below, we list the ins and outs of this topic, and highlight what you should keep in mind when undertaking your next localization project.
Preparing the audio script
Audio localization is the process of adapting sound content for a new market. An audio script is used by voiceover talents and audio editors when recording this sound content. As such, the script is the crucial starting point, where many things have the potential to go wrong.
To begin with, the localization company you work with should provide you with an audio script template demonstrating their preferred format. The script should contain information regarding the name of each audio clip, the transcribed sound content, as well as any relevant pronunciation guidelines or special notes. Once this is all approved, it should then be translated into the target language.
The localization process also benefits from the inclusion of timestamps in the script since timing the audio is an essential factor, especially when it is to run alongside video content. Timestamps help voiceover professionals pace themselves properly when recording to ensure a cohesive finished product. Some languages are naturally more compact than others when written/spoken, and translations can significantly expand content. In these cases, using timestamps to create silent moments for language expansion will prevent audio distortions, such as an abnormally fast pace of speech, and having to edit out some of the content itself.
Having audio scripts checked by native translators and editors is essential so that there are no mistakes.
Recording the script
Audio localization projects with more than one character should include detailed age, gender and characteristics of each voice. Limiting the number of voice talents is cost effective and experienced voice talents can also play multiple characters on the same project
Once voice talent has been selected and hired, take some time to have them rehearse the audio script. Rehearsals should be held in advance and outside of studio time. Studio time is expensive, so the more familiar the talent is with the script prior to the studio recording session, the better.
Renting professional equipment or studio time can be quite expensive, but it’s not recommended to try and save money in this area. The difference between a high- and low-quality recording will absolutely affect the overall standard of your localized content. An experienced audio engineer will be able to even out sound content in terms of speakers’ volumes and tone. The audio engineer should also be able to edit out distracting and unwanted sounds, such as breathing and background noise.
Just like the audio script, the audio recording should be checked and listened to several times. In this regard, the best feedback will again come from a member of your content’s target demographic. Pronunciation, tone, idioms, slang and nuances should all be taken into account before generating the final file format.
Integrating the recording
Pulling audio and visual content together into a consolidated and effective final product may require video editing, changes to the original sequence of the content, and detailed tinkering with regard to length and timing to avoid any confusion in communicating the information. All the edits and reviews undertaken along the way to the ultimate product will culminate in a final quality assurance review. If the previous steps have been carefully executed, the quality assurance review should not take long.
Once the audio or audio-video content is passed through QA, it is essential to integrate the content on the same format.
Applying subtitles
Subtitling is a cost-effective way of introducing your content to another market. This can be combined with the audio content or can be of can be done on its own.
The two primary considerations when subtitling are script translation and appropriate timing with the audio and visual content. Some localization subtitling processes may require the original video to be designed or edited to allow for adequate space and time for the captions.
Because audio localization is as much an art as it is a science, it is definitely worth having a team of experienced professionals on your side.
Until next time, keep the conversation going.
Business Development Manager
