Icelandic subtitling

Subtitling in Iceland

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 Icelandic!
 

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 Icelandic, and proofread by captionists. Finally, the Icelandic subtitles or captions are QCed and delivered in the requested subtitle format. And following this workflow should be enough to transcend the authentic feel.
 

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 Icelandic language is not enough to convey its creative intent. In result, the translated version fails to engage the Icelandic viewers and very successful TV shows, films, commercials, video games or other media end up as mediocre for the local public. 

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 Icelandic subtitles that consider all local norms and traditions to create a culturally relevant and immersive viewer experience for Iceland.

GoPhrazy provides Icelandic 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 Iceland:

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 Icelandic.

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 Icelandic language. Instead, we assist you in adapting your content to the local culture and craft a superior viewer experience.

Icelandic subtitling company

GoPhrazy is the number one choice for Icelandic 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 Icelandic 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 Icelandic 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 Icelandic subtitles are always consistent but above all, always a pleasure to read.

Our Icelandic subtitling specialists

Creating Icelandic 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 Icelandic, considering cultural differences. That's why we work with a large pool of Icelandic 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 Icelandic 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 Icelandic subtitling service is always delivered correctly. In result, your Icelandic versioned media is ready to publish, in the style and format that you require. We strive to provide a seamless viewer experience in Icelandic 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 Icelandic, 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 Icelandic audience faster, cheaper and better than ever before.

Icelandic subtitling services

At GoPhrazy we develop, translate and provide Icelandic 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 Iceland. 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 Icelandic audience and are well known for their focus on precision and style. In the recent years we are also facing an increasing demand for Icelandic subtitling services by social/ video sharing platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and iTunes.

Our subtitling services

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

Icelandic closed captioning

Improve the accessibility of your content in Iceland by taking advantage of our Icelandic closed captioning services! While subtitles are created for hearing viewers and only reflect dialogue, our Icelandic 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 Icelandic 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 Icelandic audience to follow the audio, video or captions interchangeably. Thus, we improve the accessibility and overall viewer experience for Icelandic 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".

Icelandic open captioning

In case you need to improve accessibility for your videos, cinematic and theatrical content, our Icelandic 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.

Icelandic SDH subtitling

Subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing (or HoH subtitling) quickly becomes a media accessibility standard in Iceland to respond to emerging regulations. It provides the closest-to-equal experience with your content to the Icelandic audience that suffers of hearing loss and combines both subtitle and caption content into a single file that is then translated into Icelandic. 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 Icelandic 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.

Icelandic subtitling rates

Due to economies of scale, technology utilization and supply chain integration GoPhrazy provides some of the most competitive rates for Icelandic subtitling services at no compromise on quality. We build collaborative relationships with Icelandic 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 Icelandic subtitling rates

• Deadline- a rush charge applies for urgent/ same day Icelandic 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, Icelandic subtitle translation, caption translation or development rates are estimated per minute of video. For short form, or non-broadcast projects, Icelandic 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 Icelandic language

Icelandic is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Iceland. It is the official language of the country and holds a unique position as one of the most well-preserved Old Norse languages. Icelandic has deep roots in Old Norse, the language of the Vikings. It has changed relatively little over the centuries, preserving many grammatical and lexical features from the medieval period.  Icelandic has a complex phonetic system with various vowel and consonant sounds. It is known for its voiceless dental fricative sound represented by the letter "þ" (pronounced "th") and the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative represented by the letter "ð" (pronounced "th" as well). Icelandic has a highly inflected grammar, with four cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive), three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter), and two numbers (singular and plural). It also maintains a strong system of verb conjugation. Icelandic has a rich vocabulary that draws from Old Norse roots, which can make it challenging for non-native speakers to grasp. However, the language also incorporates loanwords from other languages, especially English. Icelandic has a strong literary tradition, with medieval sagas being among its most famous works. Icelandic literature continues to thrive, with notable contemporary authors like Halldór Laxness and Arnaldur Indriðason. Iceland places great emphasis on language preservation and actively promotes the use of Icelandic in various domains, including education, media, and government.

About Icelandic culture

Icelandic culture is shaped by its stunning natural landscapes, rich literary tradition, and strong sense of community. Iceland's breathtaking landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls, play a central role in Icelandic culture. Iceland has a strong literary tradition, with the medieval Icelandic sagas being the most prominent example. These sagas recount tales of Viking history, heroes, and mythological figures. Contemporary Icelandic authors, such as Halldór Laxness and Sjón, continue to contribute to the country's literary legacy. Icelandic culture is known for its vibrant music and arts scene. Icelandic musicians, such as Björk and Sigur Rós, have gained international recognition. The country also hosts numerous music festivals and has a thriving visual arts community. Natural wonders, such as the Blue Lagoon, are not only a source of relaxation but also play a role in Icelandic culture as places to unwind and connect with nature. Iceland has a strong sense of community and social cohesion. The tradition of "þetta reddast," meaning "it will all work out," reflects the Icelandic mindset of resilience and mutual support. Icelandic cuisine emphasizes local ingredients such as seafood, lamb, and dairy products. Traditional dishes include hákarl (fermented shark), hangikjöt (smoked lamb), and skyr.