Translating audio and video transcripts might seem like a simple affair. Everything is written already and all you need to do is transfer the sentences from one language to the other. But the truth is much more complex.
Translating audio and video transcripts requires far more knowledge and dedication that one might think initially.
Where to start
The first thing that the translator has to do before translating the audio or video transcript is to read the original out loud or go over the audio/video recording themselves. This way, the translator will:
- Get a comprehensive overview of the material in question and the topic it discusses
- Familiarize themselves with the person or persons who are speaking
- Define what style of speech is used and define the structure of the language and sentences used
- Create a list of unknowns in order to remove any inaccuracies
In the next step, the translator must know the intended audience of the transcript. Based on this information, the translator will know which synonyms they should use while translating the audio or video transcript and the best way to translate idioms and arrange the sentence structures. It’s important to keep in mind that the primary focus isn’t always on translating every word, but on keeping the original meaning and spirit of the transcript as close to the original as possible.
All of this will be of great help when creating transcript translations which adequately follow the speakers and present itself if used as a title.
Only after completing all these preparations can a translator begin to work on translating the audio or video transcript.
What to do after the translation of the video or audio transcript is complete?
After the transcript has been fully translated, the translator will begin the final stage of their task. They will play the audio or video recording that the transcript is from again and track how the translation of the transcript follows the speakers.
The translator determines whether any of the sentences are too long or too short, whether the translation follows the spirit of the language used as well as the context of the topic in question and whether it is completely suitable for its target demographic.
After all these tests are complete, the translated transcript should be proof-read in order to remove any potential spelling errors, permutations and make sure that every point of interpunction is in its place. The translation of the video or audio transcript is sent to the client only upon completing all of these steps.