How to Ensure Quality Translations in Dubbing: Best Practices for Accuracy and Relevance

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“Quality control serves to maintain the production values of the original work, prevent errors from distracting the audience, and ensure consistency across multiple episodes or series.” (from Knowledge Deck, an AI aggregator of all the knowledge in the world)

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As films, TV shows, and digital content have the power to reach increasingly diverse audiences, the challenge of maintaining accuracy, cultural relevance, and emotional resonance in translations has become critical. Netflix's internal research has shown that dubbed versions of shows tend to be more popular than their subtitled counterparts, indicating a strong viewer preference for high-quality dubbed content. Additionally, according to Netflix’s Kelly Luegenbiehl, VP International Originals for Europe, Turkey and Africa, “People say they prefer the original, but our figures show they watch the dubbed version.”

More quality translations for them, more profitable for you

Dubs with high-quality translations have a broad range of benefits that require their own blog post for a full exploration. For this article, we’re focusing on practical steps to create high-quality dubbed content. 

1. Understand the Source Material

Before launching the translation process, it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of the source material. This means not only a thorough comprehension of the language but also an appreciation of the cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, humor, and emotional undertones. This allows translators to capture the essence of the original content, ensuring that translations are not just linguistically accurate but also culturally resonant. 

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Deepdub-dubbed foreign language film Swarm is a perfect example of this with the film’s producer, Lukasz Siódmok, explaining, “Deepdub's tech truly brought our characters to life, ensuring their voices were spot-on in our four-character film.”

2. Use professional and native translators

If you don’t speak a certain language, how can you be sure your dub is high quality? The complexity of translation and dubbing requires skilled professionals who are not only fluent in both the source and target languages but are also native speakers of the target language. They’re more adept at picking up subtle nuances and ensuring that the translated dialogue feels natural and authentic to native ears. Moreover, their understanding of cultural sensibilities can help avoid unintentional offenses or misunderstandings. The Insititute of Translation and Interpretation certainly seems to agree with its expression of who should translate (note that this quote does not directly mention dubbing, though) and clarifies that those who choose to be members “...shall only translate into a language that is either their language of habitual use or their mother tongue, or a language in which the Institute is satisfied that they have equal competence.”

3. Adaption is more than translation

Literal translations often fail to convey the intended meaning or emotional impact due to cultural differences. Best practices in dubbing emphasize adaptation over direct translation. This means creatively modifying dialogue when necessary to preserve the original's intent, humor, and emotional impact. Adaptation may involve changing cultural references, idioms, or jokes that do not translate directly, ensuring they are relevant and understandable to the target audience.

4. Ensure quality control through production and post-production

Quality control is vital in the dubbing process. This includes multiple rounds of revisions and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders, including linguistic experts, cultural consultants, and test audiences. Feedback loops help identify areas where translations might be improved for clarity, accuracy, or cultural relevance, ensuring the final product meets the highest quality standards.

5. Staying abreast of evolving language

Languages evolve, and so do cultural trends and sensitivities. Translators and dubbing professionals should continually educate themselves on linguistic changes and cultural developments. This ongoing learning process can greatly enhance the relevance and resonance of dubbed content with target audiences.

What it all boils down to…

Maintaining high standards in dubbing transcends mere translation. It demands a commitment to authenticity, where the nuances of language and culture are respected and reflected. Through rigorous quality assurance, embracing technological advances, and valuing the input of native speakers, dubbing can achieve a level of excellence that not only preserves the original's integrity but also enhances viewer experience across the globe.

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