Closed Captioning

Closed Captioning Translation

World Translation Center can add translated closed captions to any video.

Closed Captioning files are always written in capital letters and include all sounds, e.g. [phone rings], [dog barks], [car starts], whereas subtitle files appear in mixed case and contain only the spoken content. Videos with subtitle files can be viewed on any DVD player or computer, videos with Closed Captioning files, however, can very often only be viewed on television sets.

Closed captioning allows persons with hearing disabilities to have access to television programming by displaying the audio portion of a television program as text on the television screen. Beginning in July 1993, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) required all analog television receivers with screens 13 inches or larger sold or manufactured in the United States to contain built-in decoder circuitry to display closed captioning. Beginning July 1, 2002, the FCC also required that digital television (DTV) receivers include closed captioning display capability.

In 1996, Congress required video programming distributors (cable operators, broadcasters, satellite distributors, and other multi-channel video programming distributors) to close caption their television programs. In 1997, the FCC set a transition schedule requiring distributors to provide an increasing amount of captioned programming, as summarized below.

Benefits of Closed Captioning

Closed captioning provides a critical link to news, entertainment, and information for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. For individuals whose native language is not English, English language captions improve comprehension and fluency. Captions also help improve literacy skills. You can turn on closed captions through your remote control or on-screen menu. The FCC does not regulate captioning of home videos, DVDs, or video games.

Additional Resources:
Subtitle Adaptation
Authoring
Laying of Subtitles
Subtitled Screen Text
Transcription
Edit List