Translation Q & A: Part 1

Q:  Is any translation company “okay” for a script translation?

A. Well, “okay” will vary with how effective you want your project to be with your audience.   Even in the original language, the words used in a video script are best when written by a professional script writer, versus a brochure or document writer.  Almost all translation companies have no idea that there is a difference between script translation for voiceovers and a document translation.  Such companies use “written word” translators rather than “spoken word” translators.  Written word would be, for example, “I would have been able to have done that had I had the time.” Where the spoken word would be, “I would’ve done it if I had time.”.  The difference is a natural speech pattern, and words that are much easier to speak.  Try speaking the “written word” version above, and note how unnatural it feels – almost hard to say.  Then try the “spoken word” and see how easy it is to speak.  When a translation company says “Oh, we do a ton of video translations!”, inquire a bit more..  Don’t “lead them”, but try to get from them any details they want to impart.  If they pass off talent scripts for voiceovers as being just like regular translation, and they are proud to say that they shorten the script to be the same length as the English, and that’s basically all they say, then you have stumbled upon a translation company that is unfamiliar with “spoken word” translations.  And if they fail to mention that they do not translate the script so that it coincides with specific actions on the screen, is another sign of lack of understanding of multimedia.

Q:  What about client translations?

A. Good luck!  Is always a bit difficult for a producer or director to find himself working with a client translation.  A client translation both relieves the producer of responsibility, but also puts them in a tricky position if the translation is questionable, too long to be spoken in within the timing, or is downright wrong.   Producers and directors often find themselves in the middle between client’s reviewers and translation companies.  Producers and directors need to expect differences of opinion, even complaints, on any foreign language script.  Be prepared that all will not go smoothly, and don’t get ruffled.  Just know that it’s coming, take your time and decide who is right in your own mind.  If you can get your client to agree that your team can script adaptation for your voiceovers, then your chances of great success increase.  If your estimate includes your intent to “possibly adapt for timing if necessary”, then your talent can make some of the necessary corrections without ruffling the client’s feelings.

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