Legendas

Legendas is a term used in Portuguese with several related meanings. In audiovisual contexts, legendar as a plural form of legenda refers to on-screen text that translates or transcribes spoken dialogue. Subtitles are often used to translate content for viewers who speak different languages, while captions provide information about sound, dialogue and other auditory cues for accessibility. Legendas can be shown as open subtitles, always visible, or as closed captions that can be enabled or disabled on the device or platform.

Beyond media, legenda also designates the caption or explanatory text accompanying an image, figure, or map. In publications and presentations, the legenda clarifies what is depicted, identifies subjects, or explains symbols and abbreviations.

Note that in Portuguese, the word for traditional stories or myths is lenda, with the plural lendas. The terms legenda/legendas are not used for myths; they are primarily associated with captions and subtitles. This distinction helps avoid confusion when discussing media localization, accessibility features, or descriptive text in diagrams and maps.

In practical use, legenda files used for subtitles or captions are often created with timing and formatting information. Common formats include SRT and WebVTT, which enable synchronization with audio and compatibility across streaming services, video players, and online platforms.