Subtitling and profanity – How to effortlessly navigate the challenges of subtitling swearwords
Subtitles play a crucial role in enhancing cinematic experiences, especially if you’re dealing with an audience that does not understand the original language of a movie, TV show or otherwise. It is therefore crucial to know what you should you do when you encounter profanity while working on subtitles.
In a world where cross-platform and cross-industry communication is essential, especially in the TV and film sector, precise subtitle translation is vital. But how should you handle profanity, or taboo subjects for that matter, without losing the essence of the original text or crossing the line while creating subtitles?
Understanding Diverse Cultures and Norms
Undertaking subtitle translation presents a number of different challenges, particularly when dealing with profanity or taboo topics, as not all societies are equally open or accepting of certain words or subjects. Thus, it’s crucial to be mindful of which words, phrases, and topics are accepted among various audiences in order to cater to them in the best way possible.
Tailoring Translations
When translating profanity, avoiding literal translations is advisable. Instead, focus on a word’s meaning and its intended impact. In other words, prioritize the meaning and intention behind a dialogue over the exact words being spoken.
Your goal should be to preserve the original tone by using suitable alternatives. Sometimes, employing milder expressions or other forms of colloquial language can effectively convey certain emotions.
Preserving Intention over Words
The most critical aspect of subtitling is conveying the source material’s essence as accurately as possible. This means prioritizing communication of a word’s meaning rather than focusing on the word itself.
By concentrating on the emotions tied to a word and the message it carries, you can find alternative words for profanities that you can use to substitute the original words used.
Using Indicators for Profanity
In situations where dialogues contain swearwords, you can use indicators that point to the tone of what’s being said without resorting to adding the actual profane word.
In such cases, you can, for example, use asterisks (“what the **** are you talking about?”) or spaces (“What the _ _ _ _ _ are you talking about?”) instead.
Paying Attention to Tone
Profanity is often used to express emotions, frustration, and even humour. When dealing with subtitle translation, accurately conveying tone is extremely essential. Your aim should essentially be to create subtitles that capture feelings that are both culturally appropriate and respectful at the same time.
Remember to Include Age Ratings and Content Warnings
If you’re working on subtitles containing sensitive language or themes, it’s advisable to include information about appropriate age ratings and content warnings just in case. This gives viewers the choice to decide if certain content is suitable for them.
Seek Feedback Whenever Possible
Collaboration is crucial in subtitle translation. Seek feedback from partners, language experts, or even cultural consultants who can approve the methods you choose to employ.
Approach Subtitling with Sensitivity
As a subtitle translator, you need to approach profanity with care. Striking a balance between preserving original content and respecting cultural sensitivity is key.
With a deep understanding of cultural context, adapting subtitles to suit different audiences becomes easier without causing offense. Remember, your task isn’t just to convey words, but also to bridge gaps between different cultures while at the same time promoting understanding.