Video is a powerful tool in the modern world. It creates context, sets a tone and expresses ideas in a way that is hard to achieve with other mediums. But this can be a barrier if the audience doesn’t understand the language being used. This is why video subtitles and captions are essential: they provide an extra layer of accessibility that can make your content available to a wider audience.
What are Video Subtitles?
Video subtitles, also known as video captions, are a text version of the audio within a video. They are used to provide a written record of what is being said on-screen, typically for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Video subtitles also benefit non-native speakers and those with other disabilities that may affect their ability to understand audio content.
Videos often also include subtitles in languages other than the language spoken in the audio recording. These translations can help to bridge the gap between different cultures, making videos accessible to a global audience.
Why are Video Subtitles Important for Accessibility?
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers hearing loss to be the number one most common disability on a global scale. An estimated 466 million people worldwide suffer with some form of hearing loss, with this number expected to grow as aging populations increase. This is why it is important to include video subtitles as a means of creating accessible content.
Videos published online are often viewed in a wide range of settings, including offices, homes, public spaces and transport. Even in relatively quiet environments, audio can be hard to hear when the sound is not coming from a speaker located close to the viewer, and using headphones may not always be a viable option. Video subtitles can provide a way for content to still be understood even with lower audio levels or background noise.
How to Add Video Subtitles and Captions
Many video platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook, have options to automatically add video subtitles with the help of a Closed Captioning (CC) service. This service will transcribe the audio from your video and time-code the subtitles accordingly. The video platform’s software can then automatically use this data to display the subtitles when the video is played.
You can also use video editing software to manually add video subtitles to your videos. This allows more freedom and control over the look and content of the text, as well as the ability to add additional languages and multiple styles of subtitles. Many video editing software applications have built-in subtitle tools to make the process of creating and editing subtitles easy.
Best Practices for Video Subtitles and Captions
When adding video subtitles and captions, it is important to consider best practices to ensure that your subtitles are an effective means of providing access. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your video subtitles:
Use clear, concise language: Keep your subtitles clear, simple and easy to read. Avoid using idioms or difficult vocabulary that may be hard to understand.
Time your subtitles appropriately: Pay careful attention to the timing of your subtitles so that each subtitle appears at the right time and is easy to read.
Use contrasting colors: Make sure that your subtitles stand out from the background of your video by using a color that contrasts with the background. This will help to ensure that your subtitles are easy to read for all viewers.
Choose a readable font: Use a font that is easy to read, even at small sizes. Common and easily recognizable fonts are best for subtitles, such as Arial, Helvetica, and Verdana.
Conclusion
Video subtitles and captions are an essential part of creating accessible content. They provide an extra layer of accessibility by not only making the audio of the video available to deaf or hard of hearing viewers, but also to non-native speakers and those with other disabilities. By following best practices, you can ensure that your video subtitles are clear, easy to read, and appropriately timed to provide the best possible experience to all viewers of your video.