The terms subtitles and captions are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences. Here’s a breakdown:
Subtitles
- Purpose: Subtitles primarily provide a written translation of the dialogue spoken in a video or film, usually in a different language.
- Content: They typically include only the spoken dialogue, and sometimes, sound effects or music lyrics if necessary (especially for foreign-language films or videos).
- Audience: Subtitles are intended for viewers who can hear the audio but need help understanding the language spoken. They are often used for foreign-language films or when the audio is hard to understand.
- Example: In a French film, English subtitles would display the translation of what the characters are saying.
Captions
- Purpose: Captions serve a broader function. They provide text representation of all audio elements, including spoken dialogue, non-verbal sounds (like laughter, applause, or music cues), and important sound effects.
- Content: Captions not only show the dialogue but also indicate sound-related elements, making them useful for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Audience: Captions are designed for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers to fully understand the content, as they describe both speech and non-speech audio elements.
- Example: In a video, captions would show “laughter” or “door creaks” along with the characters’ dialogue, giving a more complete understanding of the audio-visual experience.
Key Differences:
- Subtitles = Focus mainly on the spoken dialogue.
- Captions = Include all sounds (dialogue, sound effects, music) and are intended for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
Would you like more details on how to create or use either of these?
