Understanding Subtitles and Captions: Delineate Their Distinctions
Goin' forward, let's set the record straight about close captionin' and subtitles, two ain't-so-different critters in the world of media.
Close captions are loosely based on bread and butter - they're all about makin' sure deaf and hard-of-hearing folks get the same cinematic experience as everyone else. These puppies include more than just the spoken dialogue but also sound effects, music, and what's goin' on visually. They're "closed" because they can be turned on and off according to a viewer's preference. Ever seen those SRT files people talk about? They're often used for uploading closed captions.
Subtitles, on the other hand, been 'round since the roaring '20s, makin' sure viewers who don't speak the language in the movie can follow along. Unlike close captions, subtitles only contain dialogue and no other added flair. They're important on social media, where most videos are watched without sound, but the audio is still present - 80% of viewers are more likely to complete a video with subtitles, and a whopping 85% of Facebook videos are viewed with their sound turned off.
In this here article, we'll unpack the differences, explain how they work across platforms, and show you how to add 'em to your videos the right way.
What, pray tell, are Close Captions?
Close captionin' all about accessibility. Developed in the 1970s for the small screen, their goal was to make sure deaf and hard-of-hearing folks had equal viewing opportunities. Legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act has made 'em mandatory in many situations. Unlike subtitles, close captions offer information beyond the spoken word, such as sound effects, music, or other background elements that might provide context.
They're always in the video's original language. For instance, close captions for foreign films will be in the original language. TV channels and streaming services usually offer the option to turn 'em on and off.
By the way, did you know you can generate close captions using Kapwing? It's as simple as pie!
What's up with Subtitles?
Subtitles trace their roots back to the rootin'-tootin' Wild West of cinema, provide translations for audiences who couldn't understand the spoken language. You probably seen 'em when watchin' foreign films. Unlike close captions, subtitles are meant for viewers who can hear but may need clarification about the words spoken or need help with difficult accents. Subtitles only contain dialogue and ya hoo! no other information.
One of the main duties of subtitles is to translate spoken words or song lyrics. You prolly seen this on streaming platforms, where you can often choose which language subtitles to view. Some videos with bits of dialogue in a foreign language may provide subtitles for that portion.
The speed at which subtitles appear on screen depends on how wordy the content is. Media with complex sentences makes for subtitles that are difficult to read.
The Battle Between Close Captions and Subtitles on Social Media
On TikTok, the text on display is referred to as "captions," but that's only the dialogue - so technically, they're subtitles. If a creator takes the time to edit those captions with extra bells and whistles, they transform into closed captions! On YouTube videos, the button symbol looks like "cc" (for captions) but says "subtitles/closed captions" when you hover. The automated option that YouTube generates would be subtitles, but if a creator adds more details, it becomes closed captions.
As a general rule of thumb, most text on social media platforms is actually subtitles - unless they're manually edited for more appropriate closed captions.
EAA Requirements on Close Captions
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) mandates that all public-facing videos in the EU include accurate, time-synced, accessible close captions. These captions should include speaker identification, non-speech audio, and be easy to read and toggle on or off.
The exact standards may vary based on context, platform, and target audience, but the core expectations are consistent: ensure deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers have the same access to content just like everyone else. For more details on what's mandatory, what's recommended, and how to stay compliant, check out this EAA compliance checklist for video creators and teams.
How to Add Subtitles to Your Social Media Videos
You got two main ways to add subtitles to videos you're postin' on social media - either directly through the app you're usin', or with a third-party video creator tool like Kapwing.
Add Subtitles Using Native Tools on Social Media
Each platform offers manual and automated options for adding subtitles.
TikTok
On TikTok, you can manual add subtitles by creatin' text overlays and timin' 'em to fit the dialogue. If you prefer to let the machine do the work, growly up your clip, tap the checkmark, and on the next screen, tap the subtitle icon on the right-hand side of the screen. TikTok will process your audio and create subtitles. Just make sure to fix any mistakes or customize the appearance if necessary!
Instagram Reels
To add subtitles to your Reels, head to the edit screen after recordin'. Tap the stickers icon in the top row, then select captions. Instagram will then process your audio and add subtitles to the video - just customize their appearance if ya fancy!
YouTube
There are multiple ways to add subtitles to YouTube videos.
For automated subtitles, choose "add subtitles" under video elements options when uploading a video. Pick a language, and YouTube takes care of the rest. You can do this later on from the YouTube Studio. YouTube will also offer subtitles in multiple languages for videos.
To manually add subtitles, upload a subtitle file with your video file, or type the subtitles in yourself. Check out this guide from YouTube for a complete walkthrough on how to add subtitles on YouTube!
Add Subtitles with Kapwing
A third-party video editor like Kapwing can make adding subtitles a breeze - especially for content gonna be distributed outside of social media. It's excellent for more control over subtitles or editing videos before uploading!
Kapwing's AI-powered Subtitle Generator automagically creates subtitles for your videos. Upload your video into Kapwing, and you're ready to go. You can upload directly from your device or a URL, Google Photos, or Google Drive!
Click the Subtitles tab in the left sidebar. Choose one of the options for adding subtitles, such as uploading an SRT/VTT file or manually typing 'em out. To generate automatic subtitles, go with the auto subtitles option. Select the language you want the subtitles in, then click "Auto Subtitle" to generate subtitles.
Now, you can edit the generated captions to suit your preferences. Customize the appearance, change font, color, size, add animations - whatever floats your boat!
- With the rise of technology, the importance of close captions and subtitles in entertainment has become increasingly apparent, ensuring that all viewers can enjoy movies and shows regardless of their hearing abilities.
- As technology progresses, we are seeing more innovative ways to enhance the lifestyle experience, such as the development of AI-powered tools for generating close captions and subtitles, making content more accessible for everyone.
