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This course has been designed with the aim to provide further opportunities for practice to subtitlers and/or people who have already attended an introductory course in Subtitling.
This course has been designed with the aim to provide further opportunities for practice to subtitlers and/or people who have already attended an introductory course in Subtitling. The course covers content in a variety of areas, as well as advanced subtitling techniques, using professional state-of-the-art software that is used in the subtitling industry.
Participants will be practicing on bespoke software Ooona, a cloud-based software used in the subtitling industry. Please note the this software can be used on all operating systems.
The course does not require the purchase of any specialised software; you'll be asked to download and install subtitling software for the practical tasks, with licenses purchased by UCL.
Duration
The course lasts 11 weeks and is normally offered 2 times a year.
- Course Syllabus
This course has been designed to advance subtitlers' skills in specific directions, aims at equipping you with skills to deal with complex material and technical aspects of subtitling through hands-on training with audiovisual material taken from various demanding authentic contexts. It covers the following topics:
- a revision of key concepts of audiovisual translation and subtitling;
- subtitling mechanics - spotting/time-cueing in complicated scenarios;
- layout and formatting conventions in creative contexts;
- translating dialects, verbal humour, and cultural specificities for specific audiences;
- working in the subtitling industry and project management for subtitlers.
The course follows a set format, with written course material provided at the beginning of each week, followed by self-test questions. Each unit is then followed by either group or individual tasks. The tutor is on hand on set days to help with any specific questions you may have.
The course materials, including tools for group discussions, email, assignments, quizzes etc., are accessible via Moodle (the e-learning platform used at UCL). Based on experience, the weekly workload for participants will be between 6 and 10 hours.
- What will I gain from the course?
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- efficiently analyse a range of demanding audiovisual material (e.g., films, TV shows, documentaries etc. with quick dialogues, cultural anaphoras and different purposes) for subtitling purposes;
- successfully carry out complicated tasks involving subtitling: spotting or time-cueing (i.e. deciding on the in- and out-time of subtitles in complex settings), and deciding on translation options per case;
- deal with the spatial and temporal constraints of subtitling by appropriately condensing and reformulating the original text in material that presents challenges in that respect;
- tackle certain translation challenges pertaining to the handling of dialects, cultural specificities, and verbal humour;
- select among different techniques and justify translation decisions;
- produce subtitles in your chosen target language using professional subtitling software.
- Certificate of Completion
There is no exam but you have to complete ALL the set tasks in order to receive a certificate of completion for this course.
- Language Combinations
Although you will be given the opportunity to practise subtitling into your native language through a range of activities, this online course is not language-specific and students with any language combination who wish to become familiar with subtitling will benefit from it.
- Tutor
Emmanouela Patiniotaki has been a professional translator and audiovisual translation (AVT) provider since 2008. She has collaborated with various companies using a variety of tools. She has worked with many companies in the UK and abroad, subtitling various types of content from and into English and Greek. Emmanouela has taught several courses in AVT in the UK and abroad. At UCL, she teaches translation technology, AVT and accessibility. Her research focuses on the design of accessible educational and cultural environments and the use of assistive technology, automation tools and access services, for linguistic and sensory access to information, education and entertainment. She designs accessible content and provides SDH and AD, while she also designs accessible courses.
- Who Should Apply
This course is ideal for translators with some experience in subtitling, attendees of the Basic Subtitling Skills course, or any introductory subtitling course. It will be useful in general for individuals who have a professional interest in audiovisual translation.
You will need a good working knowledge of English and at least one other language to translation-proficiency level. The online subtitling course is particularly appropriate for those who are or will be working from English into another language. You will also need a high level of competence with computers. Your own computer and internet access (preferably with a high-speed connection) are essential. Operating system needed: Any.
- Fees and Payment
Tuition Fees
- £725 - Standard fee
- £652 - Affiliate rate*
- £616 - Returning participants who have already completed an online course with CenTraS
- £225 - CenTraS students/graduates/academic visitors/alumni.
*CenTraS professional courses affiliates: Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI), Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL), The Subtitlers' Association (SUBTLE), and local organisations including ATAV, ATA, APTRAD, PEM and Translators and Interpreters Australia. For information or to add your organisation to the list of affiliates, please contact the Professional Course Co-ordinator.
Payment and cancellations
Once you have been offered a place on the course, you will be sent details of how to pay via the University Online Store.
Please note:
- All payments must be made in full, in Pounds Sterling by debit or credit card.
- Places are not confirmed until payment is received, which must be at least one week before the course start date.
- Further Information
If you have any queries about this course, please contact us via e-mail: selcs.centras-professional@ucl.ac.uk