By Ayam Refaat
In the subtitling and dubbing field, translators need extra background information to help perfect their translations.
Prior to translation, Creative English Editors carry out specific tasks aimed at improving the localization of their client’s content.
They create various reports to help translators from different cultures remain consistent in their translation. The reports also help the linguists use their time and energy most efficiently.
Types of localization services:
o Key Names & Phrases (KNPs) Reports
o Localization Reports
o Censorship Reports
o Clearance Reports
These reports can range from lists of key names and phrases (KNPs), on-screen texts, curse words, and copyrighted material, all of which is
gleaned from the creative text.
Key Names & Phrases (KNPs):
A KNP report lists all character names, locations, nicknames, AKAs, organizations, key words and key phrases that appear in a feature film, TV movie or series. This report is intended to be used as a glossary for translators, who are often from a variety of countries. It provides definitions for such terms/phrases, which in some cases, might be culture/language specific, such as “What’s up, dawg?” The report provides translators with a comprehensive master list which eliminates the doubling or tripling up of time spent on researching the meaning of terms and phrases. It also guarantees consistency among translators in different countries.
Localization Reports:
A localization report includes plot-pertinent on-screen elements (main titles, narrative titles, on-screen texts, and subtitles), that require
translation for foreign-language viewers or dubbing in different territories After receiving client approval, the Creative English Team decides which of these elements should be translated, and groups them in a single document to be sent to translators.
Censorship Reports:
A censorship report is a document that contains all terms or references that might be considered offensive to certain cultures or countries. Censorship reports are especially important to translators as they contain the curse words or phrases with profanity that, according to country-specific regulations, should be translated in a specific way or not translated at all.
Clearance Reports:
Upon client request, the Creative English Team also delivers clearance reports that list any copyrighted material requiring legal permissions. This document informs linguists as to whether specific titles, TV/movie clips, or songs should be translated or not, depending on whether the vendor has obtained the necessary clearances.
There are also other documents tailored to the dubbing field, such as word and line count reports for each character.
Overall, creating an English template is a base from which translators can begin their work. Without these creative reports, translations can often become disorganized and inconsistent.
