Voice over translation: overview

Voice over translation is the process of replacing the original source language audio file with a target language version. The target language audio is synced to the visuals, giving the audience a seamless viewing experience, despite the fact that the video was originally produced in another language.

Where voice over translation is used

Voice over translation can be used to enhance the effectiveness of a wide variety of video platforms, including:

• eLearning: eLearning course translation is one of the most popular applications for voice over translation. Video materials almost always include some form of spoken narration, which should be translated into the language of the audience to give everyone the same learning experience.
• Marketing content and commercials: Are you trying to sell your product or service to a global audience? Your customers need to be able to understand your marketing material. 75% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand if the product information is available in their native language.
• Entertainment videos: Content creators looking to expand their influence can take advantage of voice over translation to connect with people around the world.

Voice over recording types

Voice recording isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. There are several different methods, to which each are suitable for different scenarios.

Voice replacement

This is what you likely associate voice over with. With voice replacement, the original audio is muted, leaving space for audio in the target language. Most often, the new audio must be recorded in such a way that it matches visual cue points. This syncing process can be tricky and is best handled by experienced professionals.

Off-screen voice over

If narration is heard off-screen, as is often the case with eLearning, off-screen voice over is used. The audience can follow along with the presentation’s visuals while listening to the content in their native language.

Lip-synching/dubbing

This is the most complex type of voice over translation, and one that is most commonly associated with foreign films. Your video will appear as if it were originally filmed in the target language, as the voice talent will match the translation to the lip movement of the actor on-screen. The result is a near seamless viewing experience.

UN-style voice over

With this type of voice over, the original audio can still be heard. Its volume is lowered and plays in the background, letting the audience know that the translated voice over serves as an interpretation of what is being said.

Not sure which voice over method is right for your project? A professional translation agency will have the experience and knowledge to help you select the best voice over type to match your particular situation.

Why videos and eLearning courses need voice over translation

Voice over translation is typically more expensive than alternatives, such as subtitles. It is generally agreed, however, that the additional cost is well worth it. Voice over translation gives audiences a clearer understanding of the content, and allows them to be engaged in ways that other methods simply fail to do.

Boosts understanding of material and retention

On-screen text distracts viewers from what is actually happening in the video. If you only subtitle your video, your audience may miss critical on-screen visuals while they are in the process of reading. Similarly, if more than one person is speaking, subtitles can cause confusion. With voice over translation, the audience can clearly differentiate who is saying what throughout the video.

It is estimated that 30% of people are auditory learners, meaning that nearly one in three of your audience members learns best through hearing. Auditory learners will remember up to 75% of information if it is presented through narration or dialogue. This makes voice over translation especially important in the eLearning sphere, where retention, comprehension, and successful outcomes are essential.

Connects with the audience

Deploying voice over translation demonstrates that you’ve made a serious commitment to making your content accessible for all. This goes a long way in fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture and building confidence for your employees, customers, or organization members who might otherwise struggle to fully comprehend the contents of the video.

How voice over translation works

Regardless of the type of voice over translation, the process has three main components:

• translation
• voice over recording
• post-production

Accurate translation

A really good voice over translation starts with the words on the page. If the script to be translated doesn’t exist, the first step is to transcribe the narrative components of the video. From there, the translator will work to provide an accurate translation of the content. Before actual recording takes place, the translated script will be reviewed for quality assurance purposes. Thoroughly QA’ing the script prevents time-consuming and costly re-recording sessions.

Voice over recording

Voice over is more than just the translation itself. Its effectiveness also depends on the voice talent as well as the recording conditions. Keep in mind that the voice talent’s role is to perform the voice over recording (VOR); they don’t play a role in the actual translation process.

Your video content may call for a specific voice – male or female, young or mature, formal or casual, for example. Voice talent will be matched to the video content so that the audio fits the situation. Regardless of the talent’s vocal qualities, he or she will ideally be a native speaker of the target language. This will ensure natural flow, an appropriate tone, and correct enunciation and interpretation of the material.

It is also important that the translation be recorded in a professional studio setting. With state-of-the-art equipment and an environment optimized for recording, a studio provides clean, top quality audio. DIY attempts at voice over recordings often result in less than optimal audio with distracting background noises.

Localized translation

Another key aspect of effective voice over translation concerns localization. Localization takes translation a step further by accounting for regional differences and cultural nuances. For example, the Spanish spoken in Latin America varies in many ways from the Spanish spoken in Spain. Localized voice over ensures that everything from accents to inflections and tones are appropriate for the target-language geography.

Post-production

Voice over recording can be done in one of two ways: as timed recording or as untimed recording. Untimed recording isn’t in-time with the original source material. This is most common with eLearning courses or presentations, where editors can lengthen visuals to match a professional voice over.

When it comes to video, voice over translation is done as a timed recording. The target language content will match the timing of the original English-language content. It can also be synchronized; meaning cue points in the audio will match visual cue points. In some cases, the process may also involve embedding music and sound effects.

The post-production process is extremely important for both types of recording. Whether you are syncing audio with the source video, or extending visuals to match an untimed recording, work needs to be done after the voice talent leaves the recording booth. For the highest quality product, audio engineers will also clean up audio files by normalizing loudness and compressing dynamic range.

Finding turnkey solutions

Working with a translation agency that provides turnkey solutions, you won’t need to worry about taking care of any of these steps on your own. While some translators may require that you provide them with transcribed scripts, many professional agencies are able to handle the process from start to finish.

Conclusion

When your budget allows, voice over translation is almost always the desired voice over translation method. It allows your audience to connect with the material in the video, whether it is an eLearning course, marketing material, a commercial, or a video for entertainment purposes.

The post Voice Over Translation: The Better Way to Translate Video Content appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Although it is a visual medium, video almost always has an audio component, whether it’s  dialogue between people on screen, narrative voice-overs, or informative graphics. So if your company isn’t translating their videos, they are missing out on a major opportunity: the ability to effectively reach target audiences on a global scale.

Why should companies translate their video content?

Statistics show that 54% of consumers want to see more video content from businesses and brands that they support. Not only is it what people want to see, but it is effective at converting customers. Nearly 88% of marketers are satisfied with the return on investment of their video marketing efforts, making it one of the most successful forms of marketing.

On the other hand, if the content is presented in a language unfamiliar to the audience, the impact is lessened significantly. For companies looking to cement their global presence and increase brand awareness, accurately translating video content is key.

Common Sense Advisory surveyed web consumers and found that 72.4% of consumers are more likely to buy a product with information in their own language. Similarly, over half of the polled group said that the ability to obtain information in their own language was more important than price. Another survey showed that 42% of consumers say that they will never purchase products or services in a language they do not understand.

When it comes to selling your goods and services, the language in which you communicate with your audience is crucial. Limiting languages limits your earning potential.

Videos for Internal Use

Not only can video be used for outreach and marketing, but it is a beneficial tool for organizations internally. Employee on-boarding, company news and updates, and training can all be done effectively through video presentations.

Since video has been proven to increase retention, learning, and engagement, it is the perfect medium for delivering complex instructions and training. It’s also easily scalable, meaning you can share vital information with one team as easily as you can share it with the entire company.

It’s imperative for international companies and organizations to put effort into making this material accessible to all employees. By providing welcoming and training materials in their native language, you create an inclusive environment where everyone is set up to succeed. Promoting language equity through accurate localization of videos enhances employee morale and knowledge retention in the short and long term.

What is video translation?

You may be wondering what video translation will look like for your content. There are actually several different types of video translation services available to companies who wish to reach a larger audience.

Subtitle Translation

We’ve all watched clips containing translated subtitles at one point or another. This is where the video and audio play as-is in the source language with a translated text overlay.

In some cases, subtitling is a perfectly suitable method of translation. In other instances, subtitles can distract audiences who are trying to pay attention to visual instruction and read concurrently. This often makes other options like voice-over translation a better choice, but a video’s exact needs vary from project to project. There are also numerous avenues to execute subtitle translation. A popular method is to utilize time-coded SRT or VTT files, which enable a user to turn subtitles on or off as needed. This can also be helpful for English captioning, which will assist with ADA compliance.

A more permanent solution is to burn subtitles into the video. This does not allow for on/off capabilities; however it is a video subtitling method that can be beneficial if your organization knows that the localized video will be viewed by a specific demographic. This is oftentimes referred to as ‘Open Captions.’

Voice-over Translation

With this approach, translation companies go above and beyond simply translating the material onscreen. Voice-over translation gives your audience the opportunity to hear videos in their native language. This is regarded by many as the most optimal solution for video translation projects for a variety of reasons, when budgets allow for it.

Unlike subtitled video translation, linguists and directors can ensure that important factors, such as tone and pace, are successfully communicated with voice-over. Deploying professionally-recorded native-speaking talent, the voice-over technique stands out over other methods by creating an authentic final product that feels as if it were created specifically for the target audience.

Localization

Beyond basic video translation services, it is also important to consider localization for your videos. Localization ensures that everything from on-screen text, graphics and logos, to colors and numbers, translate appropriately across borders, and that cultural nuances are taken into consideration.

How does video translation work?

Done correctly, video translation is much more complex than copying lines into an online translator, and pasting the results onto an existing video. Professional translation services go through a multi-step process to ensure accuracy, clarity, and authenticity, so that the target audience feels as if the video was made specifically for them.

To give you an idea of the process, we’ve broken down voice-over translation into 7 steps:

1. Script transcription: The process begins by transcribing the entire video narrative into a written document.
2. Translation, editing, and proofreading: Once a video is transcribed, it is ready to be translated. Subject-matter experts will translate the material, meaning that no matter the topic, you can expect the highest degree of accuracy. After the source material is translated, it will be proofread and edited.
3. Translated script approval: The translated script is sent back to the client for review, notes, and approval. Having a subject matter expert involved is advisable during every phase of a localization process.
4. Script recording: After the translated script has been approved, it is then recorded in a studio setting with professional native-speaking voice talent. A director will help ensure that the speaker accurately conveys tone and other cues to match the source video.
5. Sync audio and text with video: Once the audio has been recorded, it’s time to sync it up to the images within the video. This step is important, as mismatched audio and visuals can create a confusing experience for the viewer. Languages will always change in length after translation from English, and timing is critical to ensure an accurate deliverable.
6. Translated video validation: Other aspects of video, such as on-screen graphics and text will also be translated into the target language. After all translation is complete, it will be reviewed once more for accuracy, clarity, and format alignment. This final validation should be done by a professional linguist.
7. Deliver target language video: The final video is delivered to the client, ready to be viewed by new audiences across the globe.

Professional translation companies have the capability of utilizing a variety of authoring and editing tools to provide consistency and quality across your video library.

Conclusion

It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words; however, a video is worth at least 1.8 million according to one marketing study. With each minute of video being worth so much, you want to be sure that the information is accurately and authentically conveyed to your audience. Video translation is just one of the many ways your business can achieve success in the international marketplace.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Video Translation: Tips, Trends, and Best Practices appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Better Than Subtitling

Voice over translation stands out compared to subtitling. When relying on subtitling, a viewer has to focus his or her energy on keeping up with the words on the screen. In doing so, that same viewer may purposefully ignore or unintentionally miss other components of the video like background details, body language, and other information that is communicated visually. When it comes to encountering new information for the first time, especially in eLearning training modules, it can be difficult to comprehend new information without the support that visual clues in the video were intended to provide. On the other hand, using voice over translation ensures that what the listeners hears seamlessly complements what they view.

Subtitling is also problematic given the fact that different languages result in text expansion and contraction. Depending on the language that the video content is being translated into, the subtitle may either make the screen look very text heavy or may not fit on the same screen. Given the fact that much of eLearning may contain technical or content-specific language, it can cause additional text expansion or contraction by 20, 30, or even 40%. If the words on the screen unfold at a different pace than the original video content, the message may become garbled and other subtler aspects of video, like the tone and mood, may also be lost.

Stands Out Over Transcripts

Especially in instances of eLearning, the benefits of voice over translation versus transcripts are clear. Imagine watching a video in one language while trying to read in another at the same time. Talk about information overload. Unfortunately, some companies choose not to utilize voice over translation. Instead, they share their video content in English along with written transcripts in another language. Using a transcript that is written in a speaker’s native language while trying to follow a video in English is problematic for both the company and the client. Instead of offering access to clear content, the learner is left with guesswork and assumptions, as it can be very difficult to infer tone and determine pacing using only a transcript. In contrast, when voice over translation is utilized, native speakers create eLearning and other videos that are customized to end learners. By using voice over translation, companies can offer training and other eLearning in a multilingual format with nativity and authenticity. This translation ensures that the content and tone of the video are preserved, allowing learners to consume new information in a way that is comfortable and helpful to them.

Added Benefits of Voice over Translation

Voice over translation, regardless of which style is utilized, ensures that the translated material still aligns with the original video content. Specifically, when voice over content is done in a studio setting, the translation team has access to professional sound equipment. Post-production work includes cleaning audio files, as well as normalizing loudness and compressing the dynamic range. By adjusting the difference between the loudest and softest sounds and making other edits through post-production work, the sound quality of the finished product is unparalleled.

Additionally, the linguist and director can partner together to ensure that the voice aligns with the tone of the original content. If the original video content was created for a heavy-duty tool or rugged outdoor gear, the director will select a linguist whose tone, pitch, and pacing complement the product. The professional sound-quality and complementary style of the translation place voice over translation a league ahead of subtitling and transcripts.

Final Thoughts

Voice over translation is an important aspect of sharing information with audiences around the globe. Depending on the original video, different styles of voice over translation may be utilized. No matter which technique is used, voice over translation offers clear benefits compared to subtitles or transcripts. In addition to presenting information in a manner that is much clearer and more authentic, voice over translation can also ensure that mood, tone, and other indirect messages are preserved.

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Why French Audio Translation Matters

French is more than just the language of romance – it’s one of the most widely-spoken languages of business, and one of the languages voted best for graduates to learn in order to find a job. In fact, it is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world, with over 220 million French speakers worldwide. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie predicts that number will rise to over 700 million by 2050.

French Audio Translation Is a Global Necessity

There’s a good chance that you’re trying to focus on a target audience with your audio translations, especially if you’re trying to break into a global market. But if the French language isn’t a translation you’re considering, it’s time to rethink your list. French is not strictly a language for the people of France; according to Business Insider, half of the top 10 growing countries in Africa claim French as their official language. It’s also Europe’s most widely spoken language and the official language of 29 countries worldwide. Maybe you haven’t seen a lot of growth in France, but that doesn’t mean French audio translation isn’t critical to your company’s global growth.

Consider French Audio Translation for eLearning Components

Any type of growing multimedia business requires audio translation, but if you’re working primarily with eLearning modules and videos, you should certainly consider a French audio translation. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the French language is one of the working languages of many worldwide institutions including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the European Union. It is literally everywhere in major organizations and corporations, and is the second most widely learned language in the world.

In short, it’s impossible to create confident, effective multilingual course content without using French audio translation. There are many benefits with voice over translation in general. With so many French speakers in the world, including 120 million French students, it’s imperative that you open up your course content to those who speak the language.

Working with a Professional Translation Company for French Audio Translation

Unless you’re a native French speaker, French audio translation is not a project you want to tackle on your own. Despite the number of people who speak French, it’s not exactly a universal language. There are several varieties, including African French, Quebec French, and Haitian French. When you’re considering French audio translation, it’s even more imperative to work with a professional translation company to make sure the translation is accurate, both culturally and linguistically. Only a professional translation company can build your brand’s confidence with French audio translation by using regionally-appropriate native speakers to focus on your target audience’s dialect and language needs.

To find out more about Interpro’s French audio translation services, please contact us today.

The post Connecting with the French-Speaking Market: The Importance of French Audio Translation appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Building Confidence with Voice Over Translation

When you globalize your content, you already know how important it is to translate and localize your work so that a customer, an employee in a foreign country, or a multilingual speaker feels included. It’s not enough to simply translate the words into another language; you have to know your target audience’s culture and adapt your content to fit that. The same has to be done with any eLearning instructional courses and videos, which is why voice over translation is a must for global growth inside your company, as well as outside.

Imagine that you are a newly-hired employee with very little experience in speaking English. Your new employer has just handed you new employee orientation materials, eLearning apps, and employee training videos to prepare you for your job, but they are all in English. Despite knowing some of the language, you can’t comprehend all of the material, and you end up missing a lot of important information, especially if some of the content is spoken in slang or less-formal English.

Frustrating, right? Not just for an employee, but for their employers, too. However, with a voice over translation service, you can adapt all of your eLearning and training materials into understandable content. Voice over translation means using a native speaker to customize your marketing videos and eLearning materials into a language that is native to those utilizing them. This will not only build confidence in your company, but it will assist the learner to grasp the content more rapidly.

Why a Voice Over Translation Service is Necessary

In short, voice over translation makes your localized eLearning content and videos look and sound professional. When you’re only using one language for all of your training materials, an employee may not feel as comfortable with the company and may have difficulties understanding their duties. You also have to consider that, like written content, languages can be very different when spoken. You want your employees and customers to be fully immersed in both your written and spoken content, and while you may speak several languages and feel you can DIY your voice over translation, the truth is, a native speaker can make your content much more effective and professional.

Why Voice Over Translation Surpasses Other Translation Services

It may sound easier (no pun intended) to simply use subtitles to adapt your videos into a foreign language, but this can be problematic, especially if you’re translating eLearning materials. By using voice over translation, you’re gaining confidence in your employee or client as they are able to fully immerse themselves into the material without keeping up with words on-screen. With training materials especially, often the content moves quickly and an employee may have difficulty catching all of the information. If your video also has more than one speaker, subtitles make it increasingly difficult to follow who is speaking, and since many videos are viewed on a mobile device, subtitles can be hard to read. Another thing to consider? many written languages will be longer and more expansive than English, which could lead to broken text in several frames of your video, rather than a neat, fluid subtitle. With voice over translation, your customers and employees can relax and hear everything they need to know in their native language, giving them a level of comfort that subtitles simply can’t compete with. Many languages fall into this category, especially for French audio translation and Spanish audio translation.

Types of Voice Over Translation

There are a few different options when you’re looking to provide your materials with a voice over translation service. When you’re trying to choose, you simply need to look at the format of your video, as well as your target audience. Do they need to hear the original language as well as their native language? Do you want the video to look as if it was originally filmed in your audience’s native language? Your needs can be taken care of with one of these four voice over translation techniques.

• Voice replacement. This technique is exactly what it sounds like and what many clients think of when looking at voice over translation. By muting the original speakers in your video, the new language speakers replace the original words with their native language. The difficulty in this technique is trying to match the original voices, such as emphasizing certain points.
• UN-style voice over. This is a popular choice. Often, many videos and eLearning materials need the original speaker’s voice to be heard in addition to the audience’s native language. With this type of voice over translation, the original speaker’s voice is not replaced, but simply spoken over. The audience can hear the original voice for just a few seconds before the new voice over translation is heard, surpassing the volume of the original speaker. This voice over translation technique is especially helpful when you want your employees or customers to relate to the original voice while still being immersed in their native language.
• Off-screen voice over. This is common with eLearning courses where voice over translation is heard off screen and the user can follow on-screen text and animations. You’ll want to employ this technique when it is not a video being shown. It’s not hard for this type of voice over translation to be produced, often requiring only one actor, and the new language can often be synced to the original text.
• LipSynching/Dubbing. This voice over translation option is probably most recognizable to you as it’s the service utilized in foreign films. If you want your video to look as though it was originally filmed in the audience’s native language, dubbing is the voice over translation you want. While it does provide your video with a level of professionalism that can’t be beat, allowing you to stand out above your competitors, it’s also an incredibly difficult type of voice over translation. It requires not only blending the new voice with all of the other audio in the video, but it also means hiring a voice over translation talent that can match the language to the lips of the original speaker to make it fluid.
• Actor Replacement. While much less common, organizations can opt to re-shoot and film a video with a new native speaking actor to replace the English speaker on-screen. Typically this is done in a green screen type environment. Certainly, this is the most costly option- however if a budget allows, it also may arguably be the most effective solution.

The Voice Over Translation Process

As important as voice over translation is for your multimedia materials, it’s not always a simple process. Like all other materials being translated into another language, a voice over translation requires a lot of detail and skill to make your content as professional and competent as possible. This is not a technique you want to rush through or cut corners on.

The first step in voice over translation is transcribing your audio content. Obviously, there’s no way to translate the content without knowing the script, right? Once it’s been transcribed, it’s translated into the language you’re looking for. Here is where things can get a bit complicated. For example, if you want your content to be translated for Chinese, that’s fine. But you’ll have to know your target audience for the voice over translation. Do you need Mandarin or Cantonese? This is something to think about before you start the voice over translation process, as it also affects which translators are chosen for your project.

After the proof-read and edited script has been translated to as close to the original length as possible, you have the option to review it before choosing your voice over translation talent. At Interpro, we pride ourselves on our extensive list of professional native-speaking talent. We can offer you samples based on your gender and style needs, as well as language. If you’re unsure of the type of voice over translation talent you need, we also have the experience to pick an appropriate speaker for your project. But no matter how the talent is chosen, you have the final word on which speaker works best for you and your multimedia localization.

From there, the new voice over translation is recorded in the technique you’ve chosen, and the video is edited. The video is formatted and synced so that it all flows well and looks and sounds professional. All of your files are received in the language you requested, and you can request changes before giving it your final stamp of approval.

Final thoughts on voice over translation

No matter what type of material you’re translating or what you’re looking for when you’re globalizing the content, whether it’s for customers or employees, voice over translation services are worth it. Localization of your material is not complete if the audio doesn’t match a targeted audience, especially without a native speaker. Let Interpro take your voice over translation project to the next level, providing you with professional, efficient multimedia.

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