A lesson here, a business there, and a joke somewhere…well, maybe jokes don’t always translate well. But what doesn’t get lost in translation anymore is the fundamental element of communication: language. Japanese is enjoyed in Mexico, French is appreciated in Vietnam, and English is emphasized in China. This incredible cross-culture communication has been made possible mainly due to technology and, more specifically, through the use of online video translators. Now, a student from Madrid can comfortably learn programming from a master Russian coder, or a die-hard Bollywood fan from Japan can enjoy Salman Khan’s performances without missing a beat.
A lesson here, a business there, and a joke somewhere…well, maybe jokes don’t always translate well. But what doesn’t get lost in translation anymore is the fundamental element of communication: language.
Japanese is enjoyed in Mexico, French is appreciated in Vietnam, and English is emphasized in China. This incredible cross-culture communication has been made possible mainly due to technology and, more specifically, through the use of online video translators. Now, a student from Madrid can comfortably learn programming from a master Russian coder, or a die-hard Bollywood fan from Japan can enjoy Salman Khan’s performances without missing a beat.
Why Translate Your Videos?
Videos are the friendliest form of communication. They can inform, entertain, inspire, and educate. Their popularity is evident from YouTube’s statistics: over 2.5 billion logged-in users visit this platform every month. And each day, people watch over a billion hours of video, generating billions of views.
But remember, those 2.5 billion people don’t all speak the same language. We’re dealing with more than 7000 spoken languages worldwide. Here are a few more fun facts for you:
- Only about 20% of the world’s population speaks English.
- 72% of consumers spend most or all of their time on websites in their own language.
- 56% of consumers say that the ability to obtain information in their own language is more important than price.
These statistics highlight the importance of translating your video content. By having your videos translated, you can also:
Boost SEO Ranking
According to Google’s algorithms, translated videos are likely to rank higher in search results from non-English audiences. So why not feed these algorithms and allow themselves a better chance at organic discovery with an online video translator?
Engage Better with Viewers
The main objective of any video is to create engagement. You want viewers to connect with what is being said and shown – this connection comes naturally when they digest content in their mother tongue.
Hearing familiar words elicits emotional responses that might otherwise be missing when viewing foreign content. By adopting a credible video language converter solution for translating dialogue and/or subtitling, one can greatly enhance user experience, which typically leads to higher overall.
Reach More People
Utilizing a video translator opens doors to international audiences. By overcoming language barriers, your videos have the potential to reach and resonate with millions more people worldwide. A powerful tool for content creators, businesses, or educators looking to expand their audience base.
Comply With Legal Norms
For companies doing business in different countries, translating videos could be a legal requirement rather than just good practice. For instance, certain European Union directives dictate accessibility norms for video content that include translations and subtitles.
Not only does compliance avoid penalties, but it shows respect toward all viewers regardless of where they come from or what language they speak.
Drive More Sales
Marketing is all about impressions, right? What better strategy to leave a memorable impact than by communicating in the customer’s own language? Studies indicate that about 75% of shoppers are more likely to purchase an item if its details are presented in their mother language.
How to Translate Your Video Online Using Flixier
Flixier is an online video editor that also offers a built-in translation service, making it one simple yet efficient tool to create, edit, and translate your videos. Here’s how to use the Flixier video translator feature:
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to translate your video online using Flixier, written for a B2 English student using everyday words:
Getting Started
- Open your web browser and go to the Flixier website.
- Look for the Start Editing button on the main page and click it.
- Select the video you want to translate from your computer. You can also import videos from Google Drive, Dropbox, or even Twitch if your video isn’t saved on your computer.
Add Subtitles
- After your video is uploaded, find the Subtitles tab in the editor.
- Click on Add Subtitle or use the automatic subtitle generator:
- Just click on the Auto Subtitle and then Start auto-subtitle directly from the Subtitles tab.
or
- Right-click your video in the timeline and select Generate Subtitle from the menu that appears.
- If you’re adding subtitles manually, type in your text for each part of the video.
Translate Your Video
- Once you have subtitles, it’s time to translate them:
- Click on the subtitles in the timeline
- Look for the Languages tab in the panel on the right side of the screen
- Choose the language you want to translate your subtitles into
- Flixier will automatically translate your subtitles into the language you picked.
- You can add more than one language:
- Just repeat the process and select another language
- You can turn languages on and off by clicking the eye icon next to each one
Customize Your Translations
- To make your translations look better:
- Click on the translations in the timeline
- Find the Styleoption in the side panel
- Here you can change the font, size, color, and style of your translations
- You can make your text bold, italic, or underlined to make it stand out.
- You can also move the position of your translations on the screen. This is helpful if you need to avoid covering important parts of your video.
Finishing Up
- When you’re happy with your translations, click the Export button.
- Your translated video will be ready to download in about 3 minutes.
- If you want to share your video online right away, you can use the toggle buttons next to different platforms to publish directly.
Tips for Effective Video Translation
Translate the Context, Not Just Words
Translating isn’t just about finding the equivalent words in another language. It’s about delivering the same message and meaning as the original content.
This requires understanding the context and translating idioms, cultural references, or specific phrases accordingly.
Minimize On-Screen Text
Videos often have additional on-screen text for captions, graphics, or labels. Try to minimize these when possible because it can become cluttered with added translations. If it’s essential, make sure to provide translations for these as well.
Balance Length of Subtitles
You need to make sure the subtitles aren’t too long. If they’re too wordy, viewers may struggle to keep up. As a rule of thumb, each subtitle should be two lines or less and sync perfectly with the audio.
Understand Your Target Audience
Before you proceed to use a video language converter, understand your target audience. For example, if you’re catering mostly to audiences in Japan, aim for culturally contextual translations and choose polite speech forms that are common in the Japanese language.
Pay Attention to Slang and Dialects
If possible, accommodate slang and dialects to resonate better with your audience. A common mistake is to rely on Standard English for all translations, which may lack local flavor. Be culturally sensitive and consider the unique linguistic nuances of your target demographic.
Proofread Before Publishing
Making a mistake is human, and because a video language translator is made by humans, there are some chances that it may misinterpret some phrases or not understand the nuances of colloquial sayings.
We are not perfect, and neither are machines. So, always have a human element to double-check before publishing anything.
Breaking Barriers One Video at a Time
Lights, camera, action…. and now translation! That’s all you need to make your video content go global. With a video language converter online, free of charge or otherwise, you can turn your video into something that resonates with people from different cultures worldwide, minimizing the communication gap.
A bit of effort, a touch of understanding, and the right tools can help you overcome the language barrier in one stroke.
