Undertitles

Undertitles are a form of subtitling that displays text at the bottom of a video or film, primarily intended for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers. Unlike standard subtitles, which focus on dialogue, undertitles also include non-dialogue sounds, such as music descriptions, sound effects, and speaker identification. This comprehensive approach aims to provide a complete auditory experience in a visual format.

The creation of undertitles involves meticulous transcription of all spoken words as well as detailed descriptions of significant sounds. For example, an undertitle might read "The doorbell rings" or indicate who is speaking with a name in brackets, such as "[John]: I'm coming!". This level of detail is crucial for accessibility, allowing individuals who cannot hear to follow the narrative and understand the full context of the program.

Undertitles are typically indicated by the acronym SDH, which stands for Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This designation differentiates them from regular subtitles, which are usually for those who wish to read along with dialogue in a foreign language or to clarify speech. While the core function of both is to present text from audio, undertitles go a step further by encompassing the entire soundscape. They are an important tool in making media content more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.