Technique for emphasizing words Thread poster: whitelighter
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Is there a standard technique in subtitling for emphasizing a word, such as capitalization, italics, or underlining? For example:
Speaker 1: Why do you want a lawyer?
Speaker 2: I don't WANT a lawyer. I hate lawyers. I said I NEED a lawyer.
Speaker 1: Ok, why do you NEED a lawyer?
| | | | | Italics and/or capitalization | Oct 17, 2021 |
See: https://engagemedia.org/help/best-practices-for-online-subtitling/
The same source says capitalization should not be used for emphasis - but is OK if the character is shouting.
There again, the erstwhile BBC publishes 'Subtitle Guideli... See more See: https://engagemedia.org/help/best-practices-for-online-subtitling/
The same source says capitalization should not be used for emphasis - but is OK if the character is shouting.
There again, the erstwhile BBC publishes 'Subtitle Guidelines' here: https://bbc.github.io/subtitle-guidelines/#Intonation-and-emotion
and this says (Section 11.2) :
Use caps to indicate when a word is stressed. Do not overuse this device - text sprinkled with caps can be hard to read. However, do not underestimate how useful the occasional indication of stress can be for conveying meaning:
It's the BOOK I want, not the paper.
I know that, but WHEN will you be finished?
However, Section 11.2.1 then suggests that either italics or capitalization can be used, depending on the degree of emphasis that's required.
[Edited at 2021-10-17 22:25 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
| Re: technique for emphasizing words | Oct 18, 2021 |
It depends on the style guidelines. But whenever in doubt, use Netflix standard.
| | | | | Italics as a general rule, but see different countries, modalities and style guides | Oct 18, 2021 |
"Italics should be used to indicate the following:
A voice-over reading of a poem, book, play, journal, letter, etc. (This is also quoted material, so quotation marks are also needed.)
When a person is dreaming, thinking, or reminiscing.
When there is background audio that is essential to the plot, such as a PA system or TV.
Offscreen dialogue, narrator (see Exception 2 below), sound effects, or music (this includes background music).
The ... See more "Italics should be used to indicate the following:
A voice-over reading of a poem, book, play, journal, letter, etc. (This is also quoted material, so quotation marks are also needed.)
When a person is dreaming, thinking, or reminiscing.
When there is background audio that is essential to the plot, such as a PA system or TV.
Offscreen dialogue, narrator (see Exception 2 below), sound effects, or music (this includes background music).
The offscreen narrator when there are multiple speakers on-screen or offscreen.
Foreign words and phrases, unless they are in an English dictionary.
When a particular word is heavily emphasized in speech. e.g. You must leave!"
https://engagemedia.org/help/best-practices-for-online-subtitling/
On ESIST site you can find guidelines and policies for different modalities (e.g. interlingual subtitling, SDH, etc.) as well as for different countries
https://www.esist.org/resources/avt-guidelines-and-policies/ ▲ Collapse
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Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 17:45
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Novian Cahyadi wrote:
But whenever in doubt, use Netflix standard.
Do you have a URL for the "Netflix standard"?
| | | | Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
| Netflix's Guidelines | Oct 18, 2021 |
Samuel Murray wrote:
Do you have a URL for the "Netflix standard"?
What's the target language? Without knowing that, I can only give generic style guides like this or this. 
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Novian Cahyadi wrote: Samuel Murray wrote:
Do you have a URL for the "Netflix standard"? What's the target language? Without knowing that, I can only give generic style guides like this or this.
I should have specified that the target language is Russian.
So if changing the font isn't used for emphasizing words, I take it rephrasing is the only option? Or just translate it word for word and hope the viewer gets the emphasis from the context?
| | | | Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
| @whitelighter | Oct 18, 2021 |
From this article:
I don't speak Russian, nor do I usually watch Russian movies/shows. So I don't know if this is what you're looking for. Perhaps it's better to ask in the Russian section of this forum?
[Edited at 2021-10-18 14:06 GMT]
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