Subtitles and poetry
Ever thought of subtitling as a form of poetry?
At first glance, subtitling and poetry are very different things. But if you look closer, you’ll see they have a lot in common.
A colleague recently added to this perception the issue of the similarity between comic book translation and writing subtitles.
The shared challenge is conveying meaning within constraints.
Whether it’s a speech bubble, a subtitle line, or a poetic verse, the challenge is similar.
A subtitler must choose the right words to convey the essence of spoken words, often within a few characters, just like a poet picks words carefully to evoke emotion. And as we saw with comic book translation, the same principle applies – fitting a message into a tight frame.
Even though their goals are different, they have a lot in common.
Have you noticed how much sonnets and subtitles look alike?
Structural harmony
Sonnets: 10-syllable lines, rhythmically structured.
Subtitles: Limited to 42 characters per line, each word counts.
Form
Sonnets: Follow the iambic pentameter, with rhythm and flow.
Subtitles: Guided by character count, line breaks, and timing.
Message
Sonnets: Convey complex emotions and themes with depth.
Subtitles: Capture the essence of spoken dialogue in a concise format.
Word choice
Sonnets: Rich in metaphors, vivid imagery, and meaning.
Subtitles: Focus on clarity and conciseness, choosing words that convey the right feeling within a limited space.
Emotion
Sonnets: Deeply explore emotions, like love, sorrow, or longing.
Subtitles: Help viewers connect emotionally with a scene by matching the tone of the dialogue.
Balance
Sonnets: Balance creativity with rigid form.
Subtitles: Balance meaning with time and space limitations.
Poetry and subtitle work, comic book translation, require a good command of language and an understanding of how words can inspire feelings. It involves making a message clear and concise in just a few words.
Language is so powerful, yet the human hand is irreplaceable.
Image by rawpixel.com on Freepick