Entering New Markets: Don’t Get Lost In Translation

Storytelling transcends barriers and borders. Festival de Cannes 2022 bears testament, to a melting pot of diverse cultures and languages showcased through the amazing work of filmmakers and producers from all corners of the globe.

As one would expect from an international gathering, there’s bound to be a breakdown in communication, especially when people who speak different languages engage in conversation. A lot can get lost in translation. Sounds familiar? If you’ve ever watched a foreign movie with enticing visuals and dramatics, and so desperately longed to understand the dialogue, you’ll get the picture.

While actors can say a lot without saying anything at all through body language and facial expression, sometimes the message might not come through clearly and accurately. Our article explores the significance of translation and subtitles to the film industry.

Why subtitle translation is important

You wouldn’t want to watch a film you do not understand from start to finish, would you? The essence of film lies in the connection audiences develop with the storyline. Body language and physical expression can only go a long way. The role of language in dialogue is undeniably important to storytelling.

When it comes to the question of whether subtitles are the best form of translation, the battle line is drawn. Some might say that having text over images is quite distracting and takes away from the overall enjoyment of the film while others might beg to differ.

If you’ve watched a movie in a language you fully comprehend, you might have picked up some errors in translation, or perhaps you may have noticed how the dialogue could have been loosely or directly translated, often taking it out of context, and losing the moral of the story. It happens.

Perhaps one of the reasons for being anti-translation could stem from the occasional mistake by translators to make use of direct translation, which fails to take into account the context of language usage. When this happens, the meaning becomes completely lost in translation which essentially defeats the entire purpose of storytelling.

So, what’s your take on subtitles? Before you decide, give us a chance to convince you. Subtitles can be beneficial to the cinema industry, here’s why:

1. Conveying the actual message

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to the interpretation of imagery and messaging in film. It is never black and white, there are many shades of gray. Subtitles fill in those shades by communicating actual meanings to the audience and eliminating any possible uncertainties regarding the message conveyed. In this way, audiences get to understand exactly what the characters are saying during dialogue.

2. Reaching wider audiences

Authentic storytelling requires maintaining originality, this includes making use of the original language. Using high-quality translation broadens audience reach, which makes the film understandable to different audiences by translating it into a language they can comprehend. Diverse audiences are able to watch and enjoy films done in a foreign language by simply reading subtitles.

The Cannes Film Festival is the perfect example. During the screening, films are presented in their original language, with French subtitles added. This makes it possible for audiences to engage with stories told in foreign languages.

3. Accommodating people with hearing impairments & loud environments

Five percent of the world’s population suffers from disabling hearing loss. The inclusion of subtitles enables people with hearing impairments to enjoy watching movies without having to stress about not being able to hear what the characters are saying.

Film screenings are usually done in large spaces with large audiences, as is the case with the Festival de Cannes. There’s bound to be crowd noise where crowds are gathered. Subtitles can rescue the situation, by allowing viewers to follow along even when the audio does not come through clearly.

4. Improving vocabulary

Studies have shown that watching films with subtitles can help viewers to improve their vocabulary. Audiences get to learn new words and phrases, how to spell the words, and to use them in context. If a movie is in a foreign language, that’s a bonus because viewers are not only entertained but they also get to learn a new language.

5. Boost Search Engine Optimization

Videos with subtitles containing certain keywords and phrases are easier to find on the internet. Creating subtitles and strategically adding them to film can improve online video rank and increase the chances of your video appearing in search engine results.

For Public Benefit

Subtitles leave no room for confusion. As a viewer, you want to be able to keep up with dialogue and gain full understanding of the story. Whether or not a movie is in a language you comprehend, subtitles can be absolutely beneficial.

Although the primary function of subtitles is to provide translation for foreign audiences, subtitles can also aid viewers to stay on track with the program. Sometimes dialogue might not be audible or clear, especially in public spaces and sound-sensitive environments.

Whispers and mumbling are part of the storytelling process, providing a sound-rich experience. However, where the words whispered or mumbled are unclear to the audience, the moral of the story becomes compromised. Foreign accents can also be a little tricky to understand, with some characters speaking faster than others. Having subtitles provides clarity and helps to ensure that audiences don’t miss a single thing.

Great storytellers are able to captivate audiences beyond language and cultural barriers, by taking them on a journey through storytelling. As a filmmaker, you want your audience to become immersed in the journey without ever going off track or getting lost in translation. Subtitles are the perfect solution, enabling members of the public to understand dialogue whilst simultaneously being immersed in the storyline.

For Freelancers

Thinking of broadening your horizons? Providing a subtitling freelance service can be a lucrative move. There’s a demand for reliable high-quality subtitling. Filmmakers and organizers of film festivals like the Festival de Cannes enlist the services of translators and subtitling specialists to translate and/or subtitle dialogue to appeal to wider audiences.

Captions and subtitles can also simplify the life of a freelancer. Freelancers spend considerable amounts of time doing research on the internet. Whether it’s for a film review or for reference purposes, subtitles in the film are useful for obtaining quick results on the search engine. If you’ve forgotten the title of a movie you’re reviewing but for some reason remember a line or quote from the film, simply type it in the search box for instant results.

Freelance journalists and writers can enjoy the benefits of reporting on films and film festivals with ease. Subtitles assist reporters to gain a clear understanding of foreign films which ensures accurate reporting. It’s also much easier to transcribe notes by simply referring to the subtitles instead of trying to listen closely to pen down every word spoken.

Let’s Wrap Up

Can you imagine a film industry without translators? I certainly can’t. The impact of translation and subtitles in the film industry cannot be disregarded. Subtitles are a crucial component of storytelling, they amplify voices and help drive the narrative to give diverse audiences an authentic cinematic experience.

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