Tips for Successful Audio Localization

Tips for Successful Audio Localization

It can be challenging to localize your Audio project. Localization of audio projects requires more than just translation. Audio localization involves a lot more than just translation. It requires a great deal of attention and consistency in casting voice talents, script formatting, recording techniques, linguistic quality control, and audio post-production. You can make the localization process much easier with a bit of preparation. These are some tips that will help you avoid common localization pitfalls as you get ready to start your audio localization.

Translate the audio script

The first and most crucial step in audio localization is to translate the audio script. The highest quality assurance can only be achieved if transcriptionists are qualified in the target industry terminology.
It is much easier for voice actors to simply write down the words they will be using and recording them. Before recording can start, it is essential to translate the script into the target language. It is necessary to have punctuation guidelines. This is because certain words may require a particular pronunciation.

Use the correct format.

To ensure the audio script is recorded smoothly, fluently, and efficiently, it must adhere to all formatting guidelines. Text can also be extracted quickly and reintegrated following translation. XML is a popular format.

Animations should be adaptable.

Animations should be adaptable to target languages, not just to the source language. Animations that animated each letter of a word should not be duplicated for every foreign language.

Audio cues can be made flexible.

Audio cues should automatically adjust to the length of audio being used.

Select the right voice talent

From the very beginning, be involved in casting professional voice actors. Work with your language provider to outline character profiles. Include first names, gender, ethnicity, age, and essential personality traits. You can avoid costly casting mistakes and embarrassing casting errors by meticulously profiling.

Request samples that are specific to your project

If you have the budget, ask voice-over artists for a sample of your translated script. This is the best way to determine if they are suitable for the role.

Include timing cues for audio dubbing

Time is an important consideration when recording. For audio dubbing purposes, it is essential to include timing cues into the source language script. This will make studio production easier and allow for reintegration. It is also helpful to place time stamps on the script to indicate when the speaker should say specific sentences or phrases.

Keep synchronization flexible

The ability to sync text, such as closed captions, with audio should be easily adaptable for different languages. For example, you can use cues that prompt text movement. If you produce Flash audio, limit the synchronization animations with audio. Each language has its own timing, so animations must be synchronized by native speakers of each language.

A pronunciation guide is needed for the recording.

You will soon discover that words can be pronounced differently if you read them aloud. It is essential to determine in advance whether a company’s acronym should be pronounced in English or in the target language. While some rules of pronunciation are based on common usage, others are specific to your company. The original scripts should be reviewed by the studio, and any ambiguities should be noted. These questions should be answered by translators and reviewers before recording.

Edit audio recordings

Adjust the volume and tone of the speaker. You should also remove any background noises such as breathing, coughing, and hiccups from the recording.

Finalize script before production

Before audio production can begin, ensure that the audio script has been approved. Changes to the audio recording could be costly and disruptive to your project schedule.

High-quality assurance

The final product should be reviewed by a localization engineer who will check it for quality and prepare for delivery in the requested format. Before you approve, in-country linguists must review the final recording.

Localizing your audio is key to expanding your business in new languages. A translation partner can help you navigate the technological and cultural challenges that come with multilingual projects. For audio translation services, check out our Audio Localization Services.