Ondertitelingcaptions

Ondertitelingcaptions, often shortened to captions, are text displays that accompany audio-visual content such as films, television programs, and online videos. Their primary purpose is to transcribe spoken dialogue and other significant sounds, making the content accessible to a wider audience. This includes individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who prefer to watch content without sound, or who are not native speakers of the language being presented.

Captions can be presented in various forms. Open captions are permanently embedded within the video image and cannot be turned off. Closed captions, on the other hand, are a separate data stream that can be toggled on or off by the viewer using their playback device or software. This distinction is particularly relevant in broadcast television and digital media.

Beyond accessibility, captions serve other functions. They can aid comprehension for viewers in noisy environments, assist language learners in understanding new vocabulary and pronunciation, and provide a record of the spoken content. The creation of captions involves transcribing audio, timing the text to appear in sync with the dialogue, and often including descriptions of non-speech sounds like music, laughter, or sound effects. The accuracy and quality of captions are crucial for their effectiveness.