Käännöstekstitys

Käännöstekstitys is the Finnish term for translated subtitles. It refers to the process of converting dialogue from one language into written text, presented on screen, in a different language. This is a crucial aspect of media localization, making films, television programs, and other video content accessible to a wider audience.

The primary goal of käännöstekstitys is to accurately convey the original meaning and intent of the dialogue while adhering to specific linguistic and technical constraints. Translators must consider not only the literal meaning of the words but also cultural nuances, idioms, and the emotional tone of the speech. The translated text must then be adapted to fit the available screen space and synchronize with the spoken dialogue. This often involves condensation or paraphrasing to ensure readability.

There are two main types of subtitling: original language subtitling (tekstitys omalla kielellä) and translated subtitling (käännöstekstitys). Original language subtitling is used for the hearing impaired or for educational purposes, while käännöstekstitys is for audiences who do not understand the original language of the content. The quality of käännöstekstitys significantly impacts the viewer's experience, affecting their understanding and enjoyment of the media. Professional translators specializing in audiovisual translation are typically employed for this task.