INDEX

1. Technical Information

2. Line Treatment

3. Positioning

4. Timing

5. Truncation

6. Dual Speakers

7. Names

8. Formality

9. Punctuation

10. Italics

11. Continuity

12. Forced Narratives / Narrative Subtitles

13. Foreign Dialogue

14. Numbers, Time & Currency

15. Quotation Marks

16. Abbreviations

17. Acronyms

18. Repetitions

19. Censored words

20. Songs

21. Titles

22. Translator Credit

23. Language Tag

24. SDH Instructions - Speaker IDs / Sound Effects

25. Reference

26. Client Style Guides

1. Technical Information

1. Font: Arial, White
2. Minimum duration: 1 second
3. Maximum duration: 7 seconds
   • 29.97 frames/second (fps) - 210 frames
   • 23.98 frames/second (fps) - 168 frames
   • 25 frames/second (fps) - 175 frames
4. Reading speed (include spaces and punctuation):
   
   • Subtitles
     • Adult programs - 17 characters per second (cps)
     • Chidren's programs - 13 characters per second (cps)
   • SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
     • Adult programs - 20 characters per second (cps)
     • Chidren's programs - 17 characters per second (cps)
5. Frame gap: 2 frames minimum 
        Note: Frame gap should be 2 frames or at least 5 frames 
        All frame gaps of 3-4 frames should be reduced to 2 frames
6. Character limit: 42 characters per line
   CBS: 37 characters per line
7. DVD (all): 32 (if all uppercase) characters per line
   DISNEY (DVD only): 40 characters per line
   HBO: 40 characters per line
   THEATRICAL DEVICE SDH: 30 characters per line
8. Max. Number of lines: 2 lines
   THEATRICAL DEVICE SDH: 3 lines

2. Line Treatment

1. If an event can fit on one line, please keep it to one line. Do not split for grammatical reasons.
2. For two line events, ensure that you maintain a logical and grammatically correct line break (e.g. after punctuation).
   • Single-letter mono-syllabic prepositions, conjunctions and pronouns must never be at the end of a line.
   • Numbers followed by an abbreviation, a symbol or a noun must never stand at the end of the subtitle.

3. Positioning

1. Always position either top or bottom center. Never have subtitles in any other position.
   BEACHBODY - Always position at the bottom.
2. An event should be moved to the top if there is text in the lower third of the screen (e.g. credits)
3. In cases where the entire screen is covered with text, choose the option that causes the least disruption to the viewer.

4. Timing

1. If there is a supplied English Template, the timing for that should be followed. Events may be merged or split if the in-cues and out-cues are maintained. This rule supersedes all the below rules.
2. Subtitles should be timed to audio (within 3 frames).
   1. If extra time is needed for reading speeds, the out-time can be extended by 12 frames past end of audio.
3. If dialogue starts within 3 frames of a shot change, pull the in-time to the shot change.
4. There should always be a minimum of 2 frames between the out-time of an event and the shot change after it.
5. If dialogue ends within 3 frames or less of a shot change, pull the out-time to 2 frames before the shot change.
6. For two events on either side of shot change, have the first event in 2 frames from the shot change and the second event start on the shot change.
7. Do not be afraid to cross shot changes if required. Do not split a subtitle unnecessarily to maintain a shot change.
8. While the reading speed is 17 cps, this is not always possible, the following priority should be followed:
   1. Time to audio and extend by 12 frames past end of audio (if it doesn’t cause the event to cross a shot change and look awkward).
   2. Let the reading speed go up to 21 cps.
   3. Merge or split events to help with reading speeds.
   4. Truncate without losing the meaning of the audio.

If, after you have tried all of the above, the reading speed is still exceeding 21 cps then the file can be submitted as is, but all the above must have been tried.

5. Truncation

1. Subtitles should convey the context of the audio as accurately as possible, but do not need to be a word for word translation. This article shows examples of basic syntactical changes - Fotios Karamitroglou: A Proposed Set of Subtitling Standards in Europe.
2. Omit superfluous and unnecessary information such as hesitation markers, repetitions, and redundancies (e.g. "You know", "you see" etc).
3. Common alterations:
   1. Univerbation:
      "Licenciado en Derecho" (21 chars) > "Abogado" (7 chars)
      "sala de estar" (13 chars) > "sala" (4 chars)
   2. Hypernyms:
      "Gardenias" (9 chars) > "flor"(4 chars)
   3. Synonyms:
      "Mantén la boca cerrada" (22 chars) > "Cállate" (7 chars)
      "Con retraso" (11 chars) > "Tarde" (5 chars)

6. Dual Speakers

Use a hyphen with a space to indicate two speakers in one subtitle, with a maximum of one speaker per line.

- Como está?
- Estupendo.

APPLE MUSIC Do not use a space.

-Como está?
-Estupendo.

7. Names

1. Do not translate proper names (e.g. John, Mary) unless requested.
2. Only translate nicknames if they have a specific meaning or are well-known and have official Spanish equivalents. (e.g. EXAMPLE )
3. Use local language translations for historical/mythical characters (e.g. EXAMPLE).
4. Translate brand names to a generic term if the brand is unknown in Spain and is relevant to context. (e.g.  "cloro" for "Clorox")
5. Do not italicize proper names or company names.

8. Formality

Terms of address: Use formal or informal terms of address based on the relationship between characters and keep them consistent throughout (unless there is a change in the relationship). When in doubt, use formal terms.

9. Punctuation

1. Do not use semicolons.
2. Do not have a period after a closing exclamation/question mark.
3. Capital letters: Use accent marks. (e.g. "ATENCIÓN, POR FAVOR", "Su hijo se llama Ángel")
4. Do not use an exclamation mark and question mark together. Choose the most suitable:

Correct: "¿Verdad?" or "¡Verdad!"

Incorrect: "¡¿Verdad?!"

4. For vocatives:
   1. "Gary, ¿sigues en rojo?" or "¿Sigues en rojo, Gary?"
      "Chicos, empezamos con las presentaciones." or "Empezamos con las presentaciones, chicos."
5. For dependent clauses/sentences:
   1. "Me enseñó a programar cuando tenía 10 años." or "Cuando tenía 10 años, me enseñó a programar."
      "Puedo hacer que mi agenda de gira esté disponible para que la gente la vea." or "Para que la gente la vea, puedo hacer que mi agenda de gira esté disponible."
6. When pero precedes an exclamatory or interrogative sentence, no comma is necessary.

"Pero ¿por qué voy a gastar toda esta energía en Sunny y Tracks?".
"Pero ¡a nadie le importa!".

7. Punctuation rules: http://lema.rae.es/dpd/?key=signos%2Oortogr%C3%Alficos.

10. Italics

1. If there is a supplied English Template, the italics usage for that should be followed. This rule supersedes all the below rules (except language-specific spelling rules). If you spot something you think is incorrect, please follow the template regardless but notify Pixelogic immediately so that we may confirm.
2.  Italicize:
   1. Dialogue that is heard through electronic media, such as a phone, television, public announcement system or computer
   2. Unfamiliar foreign words and phrases (not commonly used)
   3. Song lyrics when sung, not quoted (provided rights have been granted)
   4. Voice-overs such as out-of-scene narrators or visible characters expressing unspoken thoughts
   5. Titles of books / periodicals / works of art / albums / movies / tv or radio shows / plays / ship names
   6. Genera and species' scientific names
3. Do not italicize:
   1. During B-roll footage in a documentary. Avoid going back and forth between italics when the speaker is on and off screen. If the speaker is on-camera for part of the scene do not italicize
   2. If the dialogue starts/ends out-of-scene, but the character is visible during the event (e.g. on a phone call between 2 people)
   3. For emphasis
4. BEACHBODY - Do not use italics unless it's for:
   1. Unfamiliar foreign words and phrases (not commonly used)
   2. Song lyrics when sung, not quoted

11. Continuity

For ellipses, use the single smart character (U+2026) instead of three dots/periods.

1. Do not use ellipses or dashes when an ongoing sentence is split between subtitle events.

Event 1:
Diría que puedes venir,

Event 2:  
pero no creo que
mis padres lo permitirían.

2. Use an ellipsis to indicate a significant pause (2 seconds or more) or dialogue trailing off. For a pause (2 seconds or more), there should be a space after the ellipses. 

Event 1:
Así que...

Event 1: 
Elijo un lugar y se abre... y puedo ver la lista. 

3. In the case of a pause (2 seconds or more), if the sentence continues in the next event, do not use an ellipsis at the beginning of the next event, unless the pause was caused by an interruption.

Event 1: 
Espera, ¿te comiste...

Event 2: 
literalmente todo?

AMAZON If the sentence continues in the next event, do use an ellipsis at the beginning of the next event.

Event 1: 
Espera, ¿te comiste...

Event 2: 
...literalmente todo?

 

4. Use an ellipsis without a space for an event starting mid-sentence.

 …y puedo ver la lista. 

5. Use an ellipsis for abrupt interruptions.

Event 1: 
- Creo que olvidaste cerrar...
- ¡La cerré!

12. Titles 

1. Follow instructions from Pixelogic regarding Main Titles. If instructions were not provided, double check.
   NBCUNIVERSAL Must have client-provided Main Title. Check with Pixelogic for approved Main Title.
   NETFLIX Do not include Main Titles. If mentioned in dialogue, check with Pixelogic.
2. Episode Titles: Do not subtitle if they do not appear onscreen, if they do, check with Pixelogic.
   NETFLIX Do not include Episode Titles. If mentioned in dialogue, check with Pixelogic.
3. Use uppercase letters for titles.
   ALULA Full uppercase ALWAYS. Disregard casing in Localization Library.
   DISNEY+ Match the case of the onscreen text.
4. Titles of movies, TV shows or published works: Use official / accepted translations. If none are available, leave in the original language.

13. Forced Narratives / Narrative Subtitles

1. Only include plot-pertinent Forced Narratives.
2. Delete redundant Forced Narratives (e.g. identical to onscreen text/covered in dialogue/appears repeatedly in the video).
3. Forced Narratives should be ALL CAPS.

Exceptions:
Excerpts from books / magazines / newspapers
Handwritten notes
Social Media Messages
Text messages
All the above should match the text as it appears on screen.

Long passages of on screen text (e.g. prologues / epilogues) can use mixed case to improve readability.

PARAMOUNT: Forced Narratives should always match the case of the onscreen text.
DISNEY+ Forced Narratives should always match the case of the onscreen text.

4. Ensure that Forced Narratives do not cover onscreen text. In the event, there is onscreen text at the top and bottom, place the Forced Narrative in the location easiest to read. If both locations are identically difficult, then place the event at the bottom.
5. Never combine a Forced Narrative with dialogue in the same event.
6. If a Forced Narrative interrupts dialogue, use an ellipsis at the end of the preceding event and at the beginning of the following event.

Event 1:
Creo que deberíamos comenzar...

Event 2(FN):
SALIDA

Event 3:
...a preparar la comida.

7. Speaker’s title for documentaries: Only translate the title. Do not include speaker’s name, company name or character name.
8. Only translate a speaker’s title once, the first time the speaker appears in the documentary.
9. Where applicable, Forced Narratives should follow standard italics practices:

   Event 1:
   FRANKENSTEIN DE MARY SHELLEY

14. Foreign Dialogue

1. Foreign dialogue should only be subtitled if the viewer was meant to understand it per creative intent in the original version. Please check with Pixelogic to see if you are using a Subtitled or Subtitle-less version of the video.
2. Always verify spelling and grammar when using foreign words.
3. Foreign words should be italicized, unless they have become part of normal usage (e.g. In English, the following do not need italicization: bon voyage, bona fide, alfresco, kaput).
4. Do not italicize proper names or company names.

15. Numbers, Time & Currency

1. From 1 to 10, spell the numbers: "uno", "dos", "tres", etc.
2. Above 10, numbers can be written numerically: "11", "14", "74", etc. except for "cien" and "mil".
3. If a number starts a sentence, it should be spelled out.
   Exception: If a Forced Narrative starts with a number, match the Forced Narrative.
4. Exceptions to the above can be made for space limitations or correct usage (e.g. "2 km", phone numbers, "She was 10 before she turned 11").
5. Numbers between 1000 and 9999 should not have a space. (e.g. "1234")
6. Numbers above 9999 should be written with a space before the last three digits (e.g. "12 345")
7. Time format hh:mm.
8. Decades: Do not use apostrophes (e.g. "la década de los 90" or "la década de los 2000".
9. Unit of currency - If used in audio should be spelled out or represented by the appropriate symbol after the number (e.g. "Vendería la aplicación por 99 centavos o $1.29.")
10. Never convert currency.
11. Convert to metric system: kilometers (km), Celsius (°C), Kilograms (kg).

16. Quotation Marks

1. Use double quotation marks (" ") without spaces for regular quotations.
   

   Event 1:
   Doy a cambiar a un "sí".

2. Use single quotation marks (' ') without spaces for quotes within quotes.
   

   Event 1:
   Ella dijo: “Me encanta 'Despacito'".

3. The period at the end of a sentence always comes after the quotation mark.
   

   Event 1:
   Así que pensamos: "Debemos cambiar esto".

4. If quoted sentence ends with an exclamation/question mark, a period must be added after the quotation mark.
   

   Event 1:
   Preguntó: "¿Con quién quieres asociarte?".

5. Quotes should be used at the start and end of a quote, not at the start of every subtitle.
6. Put song titles in quotes.
7. Episode titles should be in quotes when they are part of a natural sentence.
   

   Event 1:
   - ¿Ya viste el nuevo episodio de Miraculous?
   - ¿El de “La verdad”?

17. Abbreviations

1. Doctor/Doctora: Dr./Dra.
2. Presidente: Pdte.
3. Profesor: Prof.
4. Señor/Señora/Señorita: Sr./Sra./Srta.
5. Estados Unidos: EE. UU. / EUA
6. Keep accent marks if complete word has them (e.g. "teléf."/"teléfono", "pról."/"prólogo")
7. Complete list: http://rae.es/diccionario-panhispanico-de-dudas/apendices/abreviaturas
8. Abbreviation rules: http://lema.rae.es/dpd/?key=aberviatura

18. Acronyms

1. Write acronyms without periods between letters: "FBI", "BBC", "LA".
2. Do not use accents if in all caps: "FBI", "CIA".
3. For acronyms that are common nouns and have become part of the daily lexicon they are written in lowercase and use accents if applicable (e.g. "sida", "ovni", "lser")
4. Acronym rules: http://lema.rae.es/dpd/?key=siglas

19. Repetitions

1. Do not translate words or phrases repeated more than once.
2. If the word or phrase is said twice in a row, time to audio but do not repeat the translation.
3. This rule can be ignored if the context uses repetition for emphasis or comedic effect.

20. Censored words

1. Dialogue must never be censored. If a word has been censored in the audio it is possible to identify the affected term, include the initial letter of the word followed by an ellipsis. If the affected term is not identifiable, include the ellipsis on its own within rounded brackets.

Eso es p... genial.

21. Songs

1. If a song is included in the English Template, translate.
   LIONSGATE This rule is for characters singing only. Do not translate background songs.
2. Songs in which the lyrics have been altered or parodied for comedic effect can generally be titled.
3. Italicize lyrics.
4. Start each line with an uppercase letter.
   NETFLIX Follow regular Spanish punctuation/capitalization rules:
   

   Event 1:
   Acaricia mi ensueño
   el suave murmullo

   Event 1:
   ¿Cuándo te darás cuenta

   Event 2:
   de que Viena te espera?

5. Use an ellipsis if the song continues in the background but is interrupted by dialogue.
6. Only question marks, exclamation marks, and ellipses can be used at the end of a line. Commas can be used within the lyric line if required.
   NETFLIX See 4 above.
7. Song titles are in quotation marks.
8. Album titles are in italics.

22. Translator Credit

1. Do not include a translator credit.
   NETFLIX Include a translator credit - "Subtítulos:" DO NOT INCLUDE for Trailers.
   PARAMOUNT Include a translator credit - "Subtítulos:"
   SONY (Features/Episodes only) Include a translator credit - "Traducción de subtítulos por: "
   ALULA (Features/Episodes only) Include a translator credit.
   FOX Include a translator credit.
   NBCUNIVERSAL (Features/Episodes only) Include a translator credit.
   If a client requests a translator credit and does not specify a format use one of the above prioritizing top to bottom.
   DISNEY+
   Features/Episodes – include translator credits as per the provided subtitling specs.
   Trailers/Bonus/Next Ons/Previously Ons – will NOT include translator credits.
2. Company names are not allowed as Translator Credit. Only the individual translator.
3. In the cases where the file is a reformat of an older subtitle file, there may be no translator credit required as it may not be present on the original file.

23. Language Tag

1. Do not translate the [LANGUAGE TAG - Do not Translate] event if present. This is an identifier in English for BD/DVD authors.

24. SDH Instructions - Speaker IDs / Sound Effects

Speaker IDs/Sound Effects

1. Use [ ] brackets for speaker IDs or sound effects.
   THEATRICAL DEVICE SDH: Use the following format for speaker IDs only: "SPEAKER: dialogue"
   • "HOMER: Just because I don't care."
   • "BART: Eat my shorts!"
   • "LISA: Everybody needs a nemesis.
     Mountain Dew has its Mello Yello."
2. Use lowercase, except for proper nouns (e.g. [perro ladra] / [Adam grita] ).
   THEATRICAL DEVICE SDH: For speaker IDs follow the above formatting.
3. Only use speaker IDs or sound effects when they cannot be visually identified.
4. If a person who is on-screen continues talking off-screen, do not add another identifier for their off-screen dialogue. We assume it's the same person talking until another person is visible or until there is an identifier for a different speaker.
5. Do not identify a speaker until their character name has been introduced. Until they are introduced, use generic IDs (e.g. [man], [man 2], [cop], [doctor]). Restart counting after scene change.
6. For documentaries, commentaries, bonus material (VAM) etc. do not identify interviewees by their first name. Only use their last name. You can use first names for the characters from the program, assuming they have been identified that way in the full program.
7. Use a generic ID to indicate and describe ambient music (e.g. [música rock suena en el radio] / [música clásica]).
8. Only include plot-pertinent sound effects.
9. Never italicize speaker IDs or sounds effects, even if the dialogue is italicized.
   THEATRICAL DEVICE SDH: Italicize Speaker IDs if the entire event is italicized.

Exclamations

1. Include single utterances and exclamations (e.g. Ah, Eh..., ¡Guau!)

Foreign Dialogue

1. If translated – Use [in language] (e.g. [en ruso] )
2. If not meant to be understood – Use [speaking language] (e.g. [habla inglés] )
3. Always research the language. Do not use [speaking foreign language] or [in foreign language].

Songs (additional to Section 19)

1. Song lyrics should be enclosed with a music note (♪)
   

   Event 1:
   ♪ Acaricia mi ensueño
   el suave murmullo ♪

2. Songs heard within the scene should be identified if possible.

   [["Hotel California" suena]

Censored Words

1. If a word has been censored in the audio use an ellipses to indicate the censored word.

Event 1:
Eso es p... genial.

 

10. For foreign dialogue:
    1. If translated – Use [in language] (e.g. [en ruso] )
    2. If not meant to be understood – Use [speaking language] (e.g. [hablando ingles] )
    3. Always research the language. Do not use [speaking foreign language] or [in foreign language]

25. Reference

Please reference the following for any language-related issues not covered in this document:

1. Diccionario de la lengua española:http://www.rae.es/recursos/diccionarios/drae
2. Diccionario panhispánico de dudas:http://www.rae.es/recursos/diccionarios/dpd
3. Acronym rules: http://lema.rae.es/dpd/?key=siglas
4. Abbreviation list: http://rae.es/diccionario-panhispanico-de-dudas/apendices/abreviaturas
5. Abbreviation rules: http://lema.rae.es/dpd/?key=aberviatura
6. Fundeu: http://www.fundeu.es/sobre-fundeu/quienes-somos/
7. Diccionario del español de México: http://dem.colmex.mx/

26. Client Style Guides

•  - Latest update
•  - Latest version - December 18, 2017 

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Change log:
Apple - August 7, 2017 - V1