Workflow for Dubbing Video into Another Language and Creating Matching Subtitles

Written by Nigel G Kettle

In the global entertainment and communications industry, adapting video content from one language to another is essential for reaching broader audiences. The process often involves dubbing the original dialogue into a foreign language using professional voice-over talents, followed by creating subtitles that accurately reflect the new audio. Note that the dubbing process is sometimes called dialogue replacement. However, dialogue replacement is more often used when the words don’t need to be lip-synced.  

This article outlines the standard workflow for this process and explains why it is crucial to replace the dialogue before generating the subtitles.

Step 1: Translation and Script Adaptation

The first step is to translate the original English script into the target foreign language. This translation is not just literal; it often requires adaptation to ensure cultural relevance, natural phrasing, and that the dialogue fits the timing and context of the video. Script adapters and translators work closely to maintain the essence of the original dialogue while ensuring it is suitable for dubbing.

It is crucial that the translator considers the timing of each sentence and shortens the text to best match the pacing of the original language. This helps save much time during studio recording, the VO talent’s time, and the supervising linguist’s time if addressed before the session starts. Most projects exceed their budget during the recording stage if the linguist does not account for this. While it may increase the cost of the linguist doing the translation, it's a smaller expense than the studio time, which includes studio fees, an audio engineer, and a supervising linguist.

Step 2: Voice-Over Talent Casting and Recording

After the script is finalized, voice-over talents who are native speakers of the target language are selected. Casting is critical to ensure that voices fit the characters and the video's emotional tone. During recording, voice actors perform the translated lines, paying attention to lip-sync (if required), timing, and emotional delivery. Directors guide the session to ensure consistency and authenticity.

Step 3: Audio Post-Production and Editing

The recorded voice-overs are then edited and mixed into the video, replacing the original English audio. Audio engineers handle synchronization, sound quality, and blending the new voices with background sounds and music. The goal is to create a seamless viewing experience in which the foreign-language audio feels natural and integrated.

Step 4: Subtitle Creation to Match the New Dialogue

With the new foreign-language audio in place, subtitle creators transcribe and translate the spoken lines into on-screen text. This process ensures that subtitles match the exact wording, timing, and pacing of the dubbed audio, providing accessibility for viewers who may not understand the spoken language or who are hard of hearing.

Why Dialogue Replacement Comes Before Subtitling

Replacing the dialogue before generating subtitles is crucial for several reasons. First, the translated dialogue often changes during adaptation and recording to fit timing, maintain character voice, or accommodate cultural nuances. If subtitles are created from the original script instead of the final recorded audio, they may not accurately reflect what is being said, leading to confusion or mismatches between spoken words and on-screen text. By completing the voice-over first, subtitle creators can ensure perfect alignment with the finished product, enhancing viewer comprehension and enjoyment.

Side Note: One of the questions we get asked a lot is, “Can the subtitle files be used for voice-over scripts?”  The short answer is no.  Voice-over talents find it extremely hard to read sentences that do not flow naturally and are broken up and interrupted by time codes. It makes for very disjointed reading. All scripts must be formatted so that the sentences are clear.