Chinese subtitling

Subtitling in China

Let's face it- it's challenging enough to come across a reliable subtitling service provider online. But try finding one that can truly convey the authentic experience with your content in Chinese!
 

There is a commonly adopted subtitle development process that all subtitling companies follow. For a start, customer content is reviewed, and professional audiovisual translators are assigned. Then English Master Templates are created, translated into Chinese, and proofread by captionists. Finally, the Chinese subtitles or captions are QCed and delivered in the requested subtitle format. And following this workflow should be enough to transcend the authentic content feel in Chinese.
 

But there's a catch.
 

The original content has been produced in another country, within a different cultural context and simply translating and subtitling it in Chinese language is not enough to convey its creative intent. In result, the translated version fails to engage the local viewers and very successful TV shows, films, commercials, video games or other media end up as mediocre for the local audience. 

To help you transcend the original experience with your content and achieve a native feel, we apply a culture first approach- we craft and deliver Chinese subtitles that consider all local norms and traditions to create a culturally relevant and immersive viewer experience for China.

GoPhrazy provides Chinese subtitling services through our native subtitle translators for the needs of your TV, films, cartoons, animations, e-learning videos, commercials, and video games. Here's the deal- it takes just 3 easy steps with us to make your subtitles perfect for China:

Since 1994 we have localized over 10 000 hours of TV programming in foreign languages for providers like Discovery Channel, TLC, HBO, FOX, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and many more. The list gets bigger when we add localizing of over 1000 film titles for theatrical and TV distribution, as well as blockbuster games like League of legends, GTA and Civilization.

But that's not all.

We are also a preferred multilingual subtitling company to leading advertising agencies like Ogilvy, Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi, localizing countless TV commercials for Fortune 500 companies like Coca Cola, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Gillette, Sony, BMW, Danone and more.

Where dialogue becomes vision

What makes over 300 companies come back and reward us with more than 10 000 projects over the years is our culturally intelligent approach. It’s a group of methods that blend meaning and feeling with local expertise to provide a peace of mind that your media feels great in Chinese.

It all starts with you

We know that the most important factor in communication is to make sure that your viewers can connect and engage with your content not only on a linguistic but most importantly on a cultural level. That's why we don’t simply translate and subtitle your script in Chinese language. Instead, we assist you in adapting your content to the local culture and craft a superior viewer experience.

Chinese subtitling company

GoPhrazy is the number one choice for Chinese subtitles and captions due to our obsession with Client needs and our determination to deliver all projects always on time, in full and error free. We are an award winning subtitling company, trusted by major broadcasters and platforms.

Expertly written and perfectly timed

Our subtitlers are not only true experts in Chinese language but also in weighing written against spoken words, editing text to fit both visually and contextually, retaining the essence without any loss of meaning. While translating and developing Chinese subtitles, we consider the rhythm of the video, dialogue pace and the viewers' reading speed. We create subtitles and captions with timings synchronized with a surgical precision to the highest level of accuracy (up to 1/100 sec). As a result, our Chinese subtitles are always consistent but above all, always a pleasure to read.

Our Chinese subtitling specialists

Creating Chinese subtitles requires much more than simply making a word-by-word translation of a video script. Our subtitlers need to understand and experience the content; retain the context and meaning of the original version and convey it into Chinese, considering cultural differences. That's why we work with a large pool of local subtitle translators that have expertise in many sectors, including entertainment, advertising, video game, e-learning, technology, and more.

Our in-house subtitling department

Though we employ highly trained, experienced and subject-matter competent, native freelance Chinese subtitle translators, we also have a team of in-house subtitling QCers who validate each and every file against the assigned specifications and cultural checklists to ensure that your Chinese subtitling service is always delivered correctly. In result, your locally versioned media is ready to publish, in the style and format that you require. We strive to provide a seamless viewer experience in Chinese and we know that the perfect subtitling is the one that you never notice.

Subtitling technology

While our culturally intelligent approach ensures the cultural fit of your content in Chinese, it's our best-in-class technology that enables us to deliver superior quality while remaining cost effective. It empowers a collaborative environment and content flows that simplify the process and help you reach your local audience faster, cheaper and better than ever before.

Chinese subtitling services

At GoPhrazy we develop, translate and provide Chinese subtitles that are relevant from both culturally linguistic and technical standpoint in order to create a truly immersive and memorable experience with your content for China. Our subtitling and captioning services are mostly used by TV channels, OTT, IPTV and VOD platforms; film, advertising, education, video game and IT companies for making their media accessible to the local audience and are well known for their focus on precision and style. In the recent years we are also facing an increasing demand for Chinese subtitling services by social/ video sharing platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and iTunes.

Our subtitling services

• Chinese subtitling from template
• Chinese subtitling without template
• Chinese subtitling on provided script
• Chinese subtitling with no script available

Chinese closed captioning

Improve the accessibility of your content in China by taking advantage of our Chinese closed captioning services! While subtitles are created for hearing viewers and only reflect dialogue, our Chinese closed captioning includes all audio elements to provide more context and enhance the content experience for viewers with hearing disability. We cover any sound in the video that is not visually evident and develop Chinese closed captions with the assumption that the viewer is restricted from hearing the audio. We split the transcribed text into chunks (caption frames) and enable your local audience to follow the audio, video or captions interchangeably. Thus, we improve the accessibility and overall viewer experience for Chinese audience with hearing impairment who depend on captions to understand the video. As these captions are enclosed in video stream and can be turned on and off at viewer's comfort, they are named "closed captions".

Chinese open captioning

In case you need to improve accessibility for your videos, cinematic and theatrical content, our Chinese open captioning services are the perfect match for you. Unlike closed captions, open captions are embedded (burnt-in) the media file and become an inseparable feature of the video. They cannot be switched on and off like closed captions but on the other side have other benefits. They are easier to use, eliminate the need to manage separate files and inconsistencies among various media players. They enable publishers to control caption size and style and (if the text is generated properly) come in sync with video while not requiring a special software for playback.

Chinese SDH subtitling

Subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing (or HoH subtitling) quickly becomes a media accessibility standard in China to respond to emerging regulations. It provides the closest-to-equal experience with your content to the local audience that suffers of hearing loss and combines both subtitle and caption content into a single file that is then translated into Chinese. SDH include dialogue transcription, speaker IDs, audio description and could be placed anywhere on the screen to follow the sound positioning. While SDH includes audience with hearing loss, it also improves entertainment value and adds flexibility to education and information resources.

SDH are particularly designed for deaf, Deaf or hard of hearing audience.

• Deaf with lower case "d" refers to viewers that cannot hear but can speak
  
• Deaf with upper case "D" refers to viewers with hearing loss that prefer "sign language"
  
• Hard of hearing refers to viewers with any level of hearing impairment

Led by exceptional people and supported by a state-of-the-art technology, we deliver Chinese captions in a quick, responsive, reliable, convenient, consistent, transparent, and risk-free manner across various industries, while keeping you informed at every step of the way with your project.

Chinese subtitling rates

Due to economies of scale, technology utilization and supply chain integration GoPhrazy provides some of the most competitive rates for Chinese subtitling services at no compromise on quality. We build collaborative relationships with local linguists to guarantee consistency with the costs over time and make your ongoing projects predictable with budgets. At the same time, we know that each subtitling project is unique, and we consider certain factors to estimate our rates.

Factors affecting Chinese subtitling rates

• Deadline- a rush charge applies for urgent/ same day Chinese subtitle delivery
  
• Complexity- for super complex matter additional charge could apply
  
• Volume- bulk order discounts are available for formal volume commitment
  
• Source language- for subtitling videos that are not in English additional charge applies
  
• Subject matter- topics that require in-depth competence might cause additional charges
  
• Source video quality- poor image and sound makes subtitling harder and affects rates
  

For long form media broadcast projects, Chinese subtitle translation, caption translation or development rates are estimated per minute of video. For short form, or non-broadcast projects, Chinese subtitle translation, caption translation or development rates are quoted per project. We don't support a generic rate card as we approach every request individually to provide custom quotes that best serve your needs at the most competitive price. Our individual approach and attention make sure that you always get the right files, within the right budget, at the right time. 

About Chinese language

Chinese, one of the world's oldest and most widely spoken languages, is a multifaceted linguistic system with a rich history and cultural significance. With over a billion native speakers, it is the most spoken language globally. Chinese primarily refers to the Sinitic language family, which includes several major dialect groups, the most prominent of which is Mandarin. Mandarin, also known as Putonghua or Standard Chinese, is the official language of China and Taiwan and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It's characterized by its tonal nature, with four main tones and a neutral tone, where the pitch contour of a syllable can change the meaning of a word. Chinese writing is based on logograms, each character representing a morpheme or a meaningful unit. This intricate writing system is shared across Chinese dialects, allowing speakers of different dialects to read the same text, even if they pronounce it differently. The diversity of Chinese dialects is a testament to the country's regional and cultural diversity, with each dialect reflecting its unique local culture and history. Despite these differences, Standard Mandarin serves as a unifying factor for communication in modern China and the Chinese-speaking world. In summary, the Chinese language is an intricate and dynamic linguistic system with deep cultural roots. Its unique script and tonal nature contribute to its complexity and beauty, and it remains a fundamental aspect of Chinese culture and identity.

About Chinese culture

Chinese culture is a profound and multifaceted tapestry that has evolved over thousands of years, rooted in the rich history, philosophy, and traditions of one of the world's oldest civilizations. This culture has a profound impact not only on China but also on much of East Asia and the global Chinese diaspora. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are three foundational philosophies that have shaped Chinese culture. Confucianism emphasizes morality, family values, and social order. Taoism centers on harmony with nature and the Tao, or the Way, and is reflected in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. Buddhism, originating in India, has been deeply integrated into Chinese religious and philosophical practices. Chinese culture is renowned for its contributions to the arts, including poetry, calligraphy, painting, and ceramics. Traditional Chinese ink painting, often characterized by landscapes, nature, and calligraphic brushwork, is highly regarded. Cuisine is another hallmark of Chinese culture, with regional dishes that vary greatly in flavors and ingredients. The use of ingredients like rice, noodles, soy sauce, and a wide array of vegetables and meats make Chinese cuisine diverse and beloved worldwide. Chinese culture also encompasses martial arts, traditional dress like the qipao and changshan, and the ancient practice of feng shui, which focuses on creating harmony in living spaces. Today, Chinese culture is a blend of tradition and modernity, with a global reach. As China continues to develop and engage with the world, its cultural heritage remains a source of pride and identity for its people, connecting the past and the future.