Subtitler

Definition

The Subtitler (or Captioner) is a post-production specialist responsible for creating, timing, and formatting the text overlays that appear on screen to translate dialogue for foreign audiences or provide closed captions for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). A skilled Subtitler does more than just translate words; they must condense the dialogue to fit within strict character limits and reading speeds, ensure the text is perfectly synchronized with the audio, and capture the tone, humor, and nuance of the original performance.

Contextual Usage

The Post-Production Supervisor reviews the deliverables: "The French subtitles for the feature film are complete, but the Subtitler flagged a few idioms in Scene 12 that don't translate directly. They've provided three alternative options that capture the humor of the original English line — let's review them with the director and make a final decision."