By: Eric Nelson Posted on 17 hours ago
For a very long time, films dominated the entertainment industry as the primary source of engagement and storytelling. In the 1880s, the first ever movie was released, “Roundhay Garden Scene”. Though video games are much older than movies, considering the first video game came in 1958, it still took years for video games to become a fan favorite, while films didn’t have to do much effort.
With the influx of globalization of almost everything around us, even the film industry had to globalize. It meant accepting a diverse set of languages and cultures. To make films understandable for a global audience, film translation services were made an integral part of the entertainment industry.
Films are translated into the native language of the target audience so that they can understand it without language barrier. It is a complex process of cultural adaptation that eliminates language gaps to make a film relatable to international audiences. This includes spoken words, humor, cultural references, and visual elements. Hence, with movies, you can ensure the original intent and impact are preserved across different markets.
Films contain imagery, symbolism, and many other elements that need translation, other than dialogue. The more clearly these film elements are translated, the more impact a movie creates in the target region.
Movies are reflections of a society's norms and stories. By translating these films, you get to introduce audiences to different ways of life and artistic expressions. This promotes empathy and an appreciation for global diversity. Films expose us to new cultures and allow us to understand and comprehend them rather than hate and speak badly about them. Other than that, film translation also creates a shared cinematic experience for film enthusiasts.
Film translation has completely changed the way we look at films now. They are no longer hard to understand for us. It directly enables global distribution and expands market reach. Many highly regarded and financially successful movies would have stayed in their original languages without expert translation, drastically reducing their audience and earnings potential. It is because of high-quality translated versions of films that filmmakers tap into vast international markets.
This step boosts box office returns and streaming platform performance. There are multiple examples in the film industry where film translations have taken local movies and turned them into globally famous ones, such as Parasite and franchises like Marvel and Fast & Furious. The result? These movies are equally famous in their native and non-native markets, all due to effective translation and localization.
In 2023, the market size of the film translation industry was valued at $2.5 billion, and in 2032, this figure is expected to rise to more than $4.8 billion.
Basically, there are two primary and most important forms of film translation. It is because of these two forms that the film translation industry has been flourishing for a couple of years. In other words, they are the two pillars that are the backbone of film translation.
Identity-first language originated as a counter-movement to person-first language, particularly within disability communities like autism and deaf communities.
Subtitling is when the spoken words in a film are written on the screen in another language. This helps people understand the story if they don’t speak the same language. Subtitles are placed at the bottom of the screen. They show up as the actors speak. This method keeps the original voices and sounds in the film. Viewers still hear the tone, emotion, and pace of the original actors.
Translators choose words carefully when writing subtitles. Each line is short and clear. If a sentence is too long, the viewer won’t have time to read it. In many cases, a translator shortens a full sentence without changing what it means. Timing is also key. The text appears and disappears at the right moment. If not, the viewer might miss something important. Subtitling requires knowledge of cultural terms, slang, and tone.
Dubbing replaces the original voices in a film with new voices in a different language. Voice actors speak the lines in a way that matches the mouth movements of the actors on screen. Good dubbing feels smooth, and the audience understands the dialogue easily. This change in what the character and what the voice actors are is so on point. This makes the film easier to enjoy for young children or people who don’t like reading subtitles. Dubbing works well for animated films and family movies where viewers need to stay focused on the action.
The process of dubbing takes time and planning. The script is translated and rewritten to match the timing of the actor’s lips. Words in one language can be short, while in another they take longer to say. The voice actors copy the mood and tone of the original actor. If the scene is sad, the voice sounds soft and full of feeling. Casting the right voice is very important. A wrong voice can break the connection between the viewer and the character. Dubbing teams must work with directors to make sure the final version feels real and close to the original.
This table shows how each method works and who it best serves. Both help films reach new audiences, but the choice depends on the film’s goal and the viewers' needs.
| Aspect | Subtitling | Dubbing |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Text is shown on the screen to translate speech | Voice is replaced with translated audio |
| Audio | Original voices remain | New voices are added in another language |
| Cost | Low cost (only translation and timing needed) | Higher cost (voice actors, recording, syncing needed) |
| Time to Proceed | Quick to complete | Takes more time due to recording and syncing |
| Language Learning Use | Helps viewers learn the original language | Less helpful for learning the original language |
| Emotion and Tone | Keeps the original actor’s emotion and tone | Emotion depends on the new voice actor |
| Lip-Sync Requirement | No lip-sync needed | Must match lip movements to feel natural |
| Viewer Engagement | Distracts from visuals due to reading | Easier to focus on scenes without reading |
| Cultural Fit | Less localized, uses direct translation | Must be adjusted to better match the target culture |
| Best For | Teens, adults, and language learners | Young children, general viewers who prefer audio |
| Common Use In | Foreign films, art-house cinema, streaming platforms | Animated films, family movies, and national TV broadcasts |
With the rise of online streaming platforms, it isn't just movies that need film translation services. The rise of web series has the audience in its stronghold. For example, you must have heard about the fame and success of Squid Game, a Korean thriller and mind-bending web series. Why do you think Squid Game is a hit in the global world? Despite being set in Korean culture, almost everyone in the audience finds something to connect with the storyline and dialogue of the show. All of the credit goes to the accurate film translation of the show that has led to its fame. .
The diverse set of languages makes it more important than ever for the entertainment industry to translate its content. This translation of film content enables diverse language speakers to understand what these online platforms have to offer. And it has been a long time since we have stopped taking films and web series for just their entertaining elements; rather, we have started learning a lot from them.
For instance, Squid Game teaches us that money shouldn’t be the most important thing and that it is human lives that should always matter. The movie shows how concerning human lives as trivial can result in. Money Heist, or La Casa De Papel, a Spanish thriller web series, showcases how sharpness of mind is important. So online streaming platforms have contributed a lot to the film translation industry, and one can't deny it.
Yes, subtitling and dubbing each have their own importance based on your needs and demands, but hiring top-notch and skilled translators from a translation company is the most important thing of all. At MarsTranslation, we help films travel across borders. We bring your story to the world without losing its original meaning. We know that every word in a film carries emotion, tone, and meaning. That’s why we offer top-quality film translation solutions that keep every feeling alive in the new language. From subtitles to dubbing, we handle it all with great care. We make sure your film feels just as strong, no matter where it’s watched. .
Our team includes skilled translators, voice artists, and cultural experts. They change words and adjust each line to fit the target audience. We match voices to characters, keep lip-sync perfect, and adjust phrases that don’t work in other cultures. Whether it’s a short film or a full-length feature, we treat every project with attention. You can count on us to protect your story’s soul.
A film should be subtitled when the audience is comfortable reading while watching. It works well for adults, language learners, and viewers who want to hear the original voices. Dubbing is better when the target viewers are children or visually impaired individuals and also when the film needs full cultural adaptation.
Subtitling is affordable for international films. All you need is to hire the most skilled translators from a legitimate and reputable translation agency, and your films will speak the language of the native audiences.
Yes, subtitling affects the viewing experience. Some people don't like subtitles because they distract them from looking at the characters. However, some people feel comfortable with subtitles.
Lip-syncing means the new voice must match the mouth movements of the actor on screen. This is why dubbing needs careful planning. The translated script of the film is different from the original one, and the dialogue is carefully made on point so that both the voice (of the voice actor) and lip movements (of the actor in the film) match.
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