Expressing ideas in different languages yields sentences with different lengths.

In Portuguese, words and phrases are typically lengthier than in English. A simple example: ‘Thank you’ (two syllables) becomes ‘Obrigado’ (four).

Although word or sentence length may not matter much when translating a book or report, it is pivotal in advertising slogans or software commands, and even more so in translations intended for dubbing and subtitling.

Dubbing and subtitling have specific requirements. In subtitling software, typing is limited to two lines of about 30 characters each. Translations requiring more letters need to be summarized. In lip-synchronized dubbing, actors are expected to pronounce the same number of translated syllables as in the original script. (‘Obrigado’ can be shortened to ‘Grato’—two syllables shorter.) If words are longer and more numerous in the target language, translators have to make skillful substitutions. This is the art of conciseness: summarizing without losing what is essential.

To translate originals in English and French for subtitling and dubbing in Brazilian Portuguese, please contact us for a quote and technical guidance.

 

Estrutura & Texto

• Translation for subtitling and dubbing
• English to Brazilian Portuguese
• Portuguese to English
• French to Brazilian Portuguese
• Translation and revision for international audiences

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