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Many
of our productions are released in one or more foreign language
versions.
Some productions are actually produced in more than one language, with all
dialogue, interviews and other content originally produced in each release
language.
Such language versions are regarded as separate original language
productions. |
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Most
language versions are produced as an adaption of an original production,
where the duration of the version - scene by scene - mirrors the original.
The original narration is replaced with narration in the version language,
and any "on-camera" dialogue is dubbed - or more usually
subtitled.
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graphics and captions are also replaced with text in the version language. |
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a language version is always produced on the basis of a completed and
approved original production. There are too many opportunities for
mistakes if the language version is produced before the original is
completed, as changes to the original will have also to be made to other
versions. |
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6 Television has a tried and tested approach to language versioning - even
to languages that our production staff do not understand. |
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final script for the original production - usually in Danish or English -
is broken down into identifiable components - often as single sentences or
statements - and each component is numbered.. The master timecode for the
start and end of the original, and the possible additional time before and
after each is logged so that the translator knows exactly how much time
the versioned component may occupy. |
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Channel
6 Television always uses translators whom have the required language as
their mother tongue, and who have been selected for their experience and
ability - often with regard to the subject matter.
The translators receive a VHS copy of the original production, together
with a copy of the broken down original script into which they will type
their timed translation. When finished the translator's version script is returned
for approval. |
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For
productions with complicated technical content, the version script will be
evaluated by another person who is competent in the subject and preferably
speaks the version language as his or her mother tongue. Any corrections
or alterations will be undertaken in a direct dialogue between this person
and the translator.
Representatives of the client company or organisation may often be
suitable candidates to evaluate the translation. |
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always strive to select an additional person as the narrator - partly
because we are looking for an experienced mother-tongue voice, and partly
to give us an extra filter in which to identify any unresolved translation
issues. We may also ask the translator to be present during the voiceover
recording session, to be able to discuss corrections with the narrator
directly. |
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We
are usually able to find such persons in Denmark - although the immigrant
population does not always include professional narrators, there are many
foreigners who are experienced at public speaking and have a good voice
and a sound grasp of language and grammar.
Occasionally we may need to source the
translator or narrator outside Denmark, though this is unusual. |
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The
most difficult and important task is to ensure that each sequence in the
version language has the same duration and chronological structure as the
original language.
There are considerable differences between the time taken to say the same
thing in different languages - therefore if we expect subsequent language
versioning at the time when we edit the original, we allow some extra time
in the original scenes to accommodate "longer" language versions
- though our ability to cater for such eventualities is also limited by
considerations regarding the desired tempo of the original.
It is our experience that where such accommodation is possible, the
resulting language versions are usually easier to produce and of a more
satisfactory result. |
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There
are some languages - such as Greenlandic and other Inuit languages - where
it may be necessary to re-cut some sequences from the original film -
extending certain video clips and soundtracks to make space for a
satisfactory narration in the version language.
This is however a more demanding process, provision for which should be
made in the versioning budget. |
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versioning of the graphics and captions - together with the production and
programming of subtitles - is undertaken in-house, usually with the
assistance of the translator or the narrator. |
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Similarly,
the translator or the narrator is also engaged to translate any texts for
printed
matter such as VHS box covers; DVD and CD packaging and media labels; and
any printed matter that will be distributed with the production. |
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goal of the version process is to arrive at a finished production that the target audience will perceive as having been produced for them in
their language, with no apparent compromise due to the versioning
process. |
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