On-screen text localization

Adelphi are experts in on-screen text localization.

Recreating the original effects and animations used in your video in over 120 languages.

Animation Localisation

How to simplify the On-screen text localization process

On-screen text localization is required when making either subtitles or voice-overs in a language other than the original on the video. There are many instances of text appearing on videos, some of these are part of the editing package and these can be changed by a trained engineer, however, some on-screen text is placed as graphics or part of the actual footage. Depending on the complexity and how the original text was produced we may require the data package it was made in.

First of all, before proceeding with the localization of OST you should consider the following aspects of your video:

  • Is the text animated? It’s always easier to localize still text rather than animated text. Animations can be very simple… or very complex!!
  • What language are you translating it to? Some words and phrases vary a lot in length between different languages. So you need to keep in mind that when translated, the text size might need to be reduced or increased in order to fit the source video design. Another issue concerning the translation is that the font used on your video may not reproduce the characters correctly in the target language so you’ll need to consider changing it to a more suitable one.
  • Right-to-left or left-to-right languages: The way a translated text is displayed must be taken into account since it would need to be re-adjusted from your original design. For example Arabic is a right to left language so if you need to translate from English to Arabic the text will be written from the opposite side so your design may not look the same or may need to be altered.

The image below shows the difference in text length when working On OST localization.

Voice artists Adelphi studio

There are three ways of working with OST localization:

1 – Working with the original project and footage (the easiest and cheapest process).
2 – Working with a discreet version of the video and re-creating the text style and animations.
3 – Working with the final video, covering or patching the original text and adding the newly translated text on top of it (the most complicated and expensive process).

So what are your options going forward for these three different methods?

1- Working with original projects and footage:

The best way to stay on top of things is to have a clear idea about the final usage of your video when originally designing it. If you know that the text appearing on-screen will eventually be translated into other languages, then make sure you keep your original data/footage and the video editing projects. Remember to ask your video editor/motion graphics designer to keep all the data safe!

Another important thing to keep in mind is that keeping the original material organized and labeled efficiently will make the process much easier and faster.

2 – Working with a discreet video:

Sometimes, video editors or video editing companies are not allowed to give you the projects that they have used for creating the video. If this is the case, you can still ask them to keep a backup copy of all the data. Then when the time comes that you need to localize the OST, you can get in contact with your video editor and ask for a discrete version of the video.

The discreet video would be a version of your video exported without the OST.

For example:

Voice artists Adelphi studio

Then you need to deliver the final version of the video in its original language plus the discreet version to the company that is going to translate and localize the text. For example, if you are localizing an English OST into a Spanish OST, the English video will be used as a reference for style, font, and animation in order to input the Spanish OST, which will be implemented on the discreet video.

Even if you can’t provide the localization company with the source editing projects, any additional information that you can provide will make a difference in the efforts required for this task. For example, you can provide info like the font used, font style, color, size, etc.)

If you need to advise creating the discrete version of the video contact a localization company with your source video and you will receive the specifications needed to successfully produce it!

3 – Working with the source language video:

In the worst-case scenario, you might not have access to either the original projects or a discreet version of the video. If this is the case and you still want to proceed with OST localization, there are some things you’ll have to keep in mind:

If the background of the text is a still image or a plain color, the text can probably be localized.

If the background of the text is a moving image, then it is very unlikely that localization is possible without putting the text into a box and adding the box over the original text. In this case, you can ask the localization company to provide you with OST alternatives in order to work around the situation whilst maintaining the style of your video.

Here are some visual examples to give you an idea:

A.

Voice artists Adelphi studio

In this case, A, the solid dark color behind the text makes it possible to localize, as the source image doesn’t vary throughout the duration of the OST

Voice artists Adelphi studio

(OST localized English to Spanish)

B.

Voice artists Adelphi studio

In the example above (B), the text cannot be localized without the project’s files/source data or a discreet video because the footage behind it is a moving image. Contact the localization company to ask for alternatives.

Regardless of your requirements and knowledge of on-screen text localization, it is always important to contact a reliable localization company that can advise you of best practices. It is also worth doing during initial design phases if you suspect that you may require localization work in the future but maybe not immediately.

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On-screen text localization – graphics files

Adelphi Studio has its own in-house graphics department that can localize text in most graphics and in over 120 languages. The problems occur when the text has been placed over a complex background and the original layered files are not available. This makes the removal of the original text difficult and time-consuming and in some cases impossible. Ideally, we would need the original artwork in these cases, otherwise, the end result might not be up to the standard required. Adelphi has Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign as well as a number of software packages used by most designers, enabling to change most graphics, even with right to left languages such as Arabic, etc.


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On-screen text localization – effects

With a team of highly trained software specialists, Adelphi Studio offers complex on-screen text localization with the ability to match almost any form of On-screen text (OST). Using the latest industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Premiere, Final Cut Pro, etc. Adelphi can replicate and reproduce OST that other subtitling and voice-over agencies struggle to contend with. We have experience in reproducing On-screen text with drop shadows, glows, animations, masks, Roto-scoping and also have the ability to match-move or track the text to the original video.


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Explainer video localization

Adelphi Studio specializes in almost every aspect of translations and localization, including explainer videos! We are able to use the original project files and translate the material directly and discreetly. Problems such as expanding text, font corruption and an array of other issues can occur but our team at Adelphi are trained in these areas to ensure your project is handled professionally, confidentially and with care. Our specialist team are experienced in right-to-left languages, complex scripts, fonts, styles and can send you samples for your approval before the project starts.

View our Explainer Video Localization page for more information!

New Service for E-Learning – Articulate Storyline Localisation

General

Here at Adelphi we are always looking to expand the services we provide to ensure we keep up to date with new technology and software, which allows us to be able to offer the best options for our clients across the globe.

We have recently just added Articulate Storyline 2 to this growing list of services we provide.

What is E-Learning?

Put simply, e-learning is electronic learning, which typically means using a computer to deliver part, or all of a training course whether it’s in a school, part of your mandatory business training or a full distance learning course. E-Learning is a highly cost effective way of providing training and courses, particularly with larger organisations, and also allows you greater flexibility, as it can be done in short chunks of time, meaning you can fit the training in when it suits you best.

About Articulate Storyline…

Articulate Storyline 2 allows you to create fully interactive E-Learning courses for your organisation or company. This powerful piece of software provides an engaging learner experience with video and simulations, audio and a large variety of user interactions. This software allows you the freedom to create an E-Learning course that fully suits your requirements, so please feel free to discuss these with our Project Managers to ensure we deliver the perfect end product for you!

 

 

What we offer…

Our Articulate Storyline Localisation service captures not just the main course text, but also all of the button and slider content too. We can also add voice-overs and subtitles to resources in your course and provide printed support materials through our in-house typesetting service. We work with your translations or can supply our own for you.

So, if you are looking for a cost-effective and engaging way to train your employees in whatever language, please get in touch with us at Adelphi, and we will work with you to create an E-Learning course that suits your needs!

Adelphi can provide all of the services detailed above for your e-learning requirements. Please visit our website at www.adelphitranslations.com or feel free to call us on (0)114 272 3772 for further information.

Accents in Voice Overs – British Accents part 1

General Language

There are many factors to be taken into account when choosing the correct voice for your product. One of these factors is what accent you want to use to sell your product/service.

There are a wide variety of accents and dialects that can be found here in the British Isles, and in this blog post we will be looking at a very small selection you may come across.

Received Pronunciation (RP)

Received pronunciation (or RP for short) is probably the most widely studied and most frequently described variety of spoken English in the world, yet recent estimates suggest only 2% of the UK population speak it. RP is identified not so much with a particular region, but with a particular social group, although it has connections with the accent of Southern England. It is associated with educated speakers and formal speech, and is possibly the closest to a standard accent we have here.

Characteristics:

  • Non-rhoticity, meaning the r at the ends of words isn’t prounounced (mother sounds like “muhthuh”).
  • Trap-bath split, meaning that certain a words, like bath, can’t, and dance are pronounced with the broad-a in father. (This differs from most American accents, in which these words are pronounced with the short-a in cat.

Notable speakers of RP include: The Royal Family, David Cameron (Prime Minister), Stephen Fry (TV Personality/ Author/ Comedian).

Here is an RP sample from our website courtesy of Phillip:

 

Yorkshire

Being based in Sheffield means we at Adelphi are most familiar with this dialect. With Yorkshire being the largest county in Britain, it is no surprise there are a number of different variations of accents found across the county. The most commonly thought of Yorkshire dialect is that of the heavily industrialized West Riding (West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire after 1974.) This is familiar to most, thanks to Radio and TV dramas set in Yorkshire. Recent studies have also shown that the Yorkshire accent is seen as one of the nations favourite accents, and is seen as ‘warm’ and ‘genuine’.

Characteristics:

  •  Vowel sounds in words, e.g. A is predominantly pronounced as a short “a” as opposed to the southern longer “aa” or “ah” (e.g. bath, grass, glass) and U and OO are pronounced “uh” (e.g. blood, cut, lunch).

Notable speakers of the Yorkshire dialect include: Dickie Bird (Sports commentator), Michael Palin (actor/comedian), Alex Turner (singer with the Arctic Monkeys).

Here is a Yorkshire sample from our website from Marie:

Scouse

The highly distinctive Scouse accent is found primarily in the county of Merseyside, and is very closely associated with the city of Liverpool and the surrounding areas. Up until the mid 19th century Liverpudlians spoke pretty much the same as their Lancastrian neighbours. The Scouse sound was created by the influx of people arriving through the docks from far and wide. The major influence comes from Irish and Welsh moving into the city.

Notable speakers of the Scouse accent include: The Beatles, Steven Gerrard (footballer), Paul O’Grady (comedian, TV presenter).

Here’s a Scouse audio sample courtesy of Ronnie:

 

Although this list is incredible short, and in no way complete, we hope we have shed some light on some of the different accents found in the UK. We have a wide selection of accents and dialects available in the Voice Over section, so whatever you are looking for we can provide you with the most suitable option for your final product. Please view our sample page here: https://adelphistudio.com/voice-overs/.

 

Adelphi can provide all of the services detailed above for your voice-over requirement. Please visit our website at www.adelphitranslations.com and click “Request a Quote” or feel free to call us on (0)114 272 3772.

Embarrassing Printing Error for Romanian Foreign Ministry

General

One particular news article caught our attention in the office today: the BBC reported that in his visit to Romania this week, the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was presented with a booklet by his Romanian counterpart triumphing Germany-Romania bilateral relations… complete with an image of France covered by a German flag on the cover. The document was produced by Agerpres, Romania’s national news agency, who have accepted responsibility for the error and apologised to both parties.

France German flag

Spot the mistake

Outsourcing: an option for quality

One advantage of outsourcing typesetting tasks like the above is that it introduces your content to a whole new set of eyes, not least a project manager and typesetter, who will engage with your documents both when they’re being worked on and when the result comes to be quality-assessed before delivery. At Adelphi, our involvement adds more than just a typesetting service: we’re able to advise our clients if we spot potential issues inherent in their content and with our long experience in the industry, we can even suggest helpful fixes that allow the work to continue to the original schedule.

Not for the first time

For Romania’s Foreign Ministry, the story is less rosy: this is the second time in only a month that they’ve been involved in an embarrassing incident. Last month, when the Romanian Embassy in France issued invitations to an upcoming function, they accidentally attached a spreadsheet containing candid and unrestrained remarks about the invited guests.

Source: BBC

Adelphi’s New Blog

General Language

New Blog Launch

Welcome to the first post of Adelphi’s new blog We hope you’ll join us each week as we share with our readers industry news, how-tos and basically anything which sparks our interest in the world of languages. Whether you are a current client, a future client or one of our linguists, we want to connect with you and show you what makes Adelphi tick.

Chinese characters in the Japanese language

Since three of our staff speak Japanese—one as a native—I thought our first offering should take us to Japan, a nation whose language has been influenced during the last 1,200 years by its proximity to China. Japanese makes use of three different writing systems (very often in the same sentence) and one of them, called kanji, arrived in Japan from China in the closing centuries of the 1st millennium AD. Whereas in English we make use of 26 letters to form all of our words, Chinese has an individual character for basic concepts, with the more advanced ideas being compounds of two or more characters. In Japan, Chinese characters form an integral part of the script and most adult Japanese will know around 2,000 or more of them.

The other two writing systems of Japanese, called Hiragana and Katakana behave differently and were developed within Japan at different times. We will discuss these in future posts.

Kotoshi no kanji

Each year, the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society holds a national ballot in Japan to determine the character that represents the past year. The winning entry becomes Kotoshi no Kanji (“Kanji of the Year”) and is announced on 12th December in the city of Kyoto. The choices tend to represent the national mood in Japan and highlight important events of that year. For instance in 1995—the first year to have a Kotoshi no Kanji—the character was 震 shin, meaning “quake”, chosen for the Kobe Earthquake that had happened in January of the year.

The latest Kotoshi no Kanji was announced in December last year and this time it was 税 zei, meaning “tax”, reflecting discussion in Japan about the increase in sales tax in Japan from 5% to 8%, and the planned hike in October of this year up to 10%.

It is still too early to guess what this year’s character will be, but we hope 2015 will prove to be a successful year for all of our clients and linguists.