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5 Awesome Ways to Become the Best Subtitle Translator



As the old saying goes, “If you plan to fail, you fail to plan.” Like any other jobs or businesses out there, doing something without a plan is like suicide. Resigning immediately from your previous job and looking for a subtitling job without at least a basic knowledge or previous experience is the most regretful act that you have done if ever. Maybe you have thought of this as easy as 1,2,3 because you have been using subtitles since securing an account from Netflix while watching your favorite TV show. I’m sorry to tell you this but there is no easy money out there. Everybody should undergo the process and should never focus on the results.

If you really want this and passionate to do subtitle translations, then you should consider these things:

1.       Develop your Love for the language.

As the famous quotation says, “Do what you love and love what you do.” Seems right isn’t it? If you will be working on something that you love, surrounded with the people you love, you won’t be sacrificing for the rest of your life on something that you don’t want to do. And if it is the case, passion on what you are doing will follow. There is no other recipe to success than this one which is also applicable to translation/subtitle translation.

To be able to do what you need to do in subtitling, you have love the language first, love the work and the process of doing it.  Subtitle translations are not just direct translations of the audio that comes from the film but it is also a translation as a whole in the context from the language translated to the new one.

2.       Specialize.

If you want to be great at something, master at least one skill that you are good at. Focus and know what language you want to master. Jack of all trades and master of none is not that good at all unless you are a gifted individual who can handle such capability. Focusing on one language at first will help you make your job easier, faster and on point.

3.        Level Up and develop an edge.

If you really want translating subtitles to be your main source of income, and is really passionate in doing this not only as a career but a hobby as well, then maybe you should consider to study translation studies .

Translation studies according to Wikipedia, is an inter-discipline or combination of different studies in regards to translation, interpretation and localization. This gives you a theoretical approach and a good core knowledge of translation, interpretation and localization.

4.       Get certified and familiarize yourself on software used in subtitling.

Certification definitely is a great boost to you subtitling career. It is like a promotion of your subtitle translation skills that you have the ability to work as a professional subtitle translator. Also, if you want to get the job done faster and with accuracy, familiarize yourself on using subtitling software used by professionals.

5.       Get your On-the-Job-Training and Work Experience

Apply on local translation companies near you and learn from the professional themselves to up-your game in doing translations. Get the good habits done by professionals and unlearn some bad habits that might affect your performance.



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