The Trouble With Subtitles

Subtitles can prove tricky, both for the audience reading them and the poor bastard trying to type them out live during a programme. Here are some of the common problems you might encounter.

1. Getting names right can be a nightmare, especially if people are talking about Manchester United player Adnan Januzaj.

2. Even a fairly common name, like Frasier, can prove tricky.

3. Subtitling sports can prove monotonous.

4. Very, very monotonous.

5. So monotonous in fact, subtitlers sneak in the odd joke to keep them sane.

6. Sometimes it all just gets too much…

7. Describing actions can prove tough.

8. As can describing sounds.

9. Other times the action you’re describing is somewhat unusual.

10. Sometimes subtitles aren’t in the least bit helpful.

11. Other times subtitles can be a little too accurate for their own good.

12. Finally, bear in mind that foreign words (in this case Swedish) mean different things in other languages.