You might have noticed a label named "CC" at the bottom of a YouTube video.
How could "subtitles" be abbreviated to "CC" ?".
To put it simply, what you are watching right now are most likely subtitles. But, sometimes, what you see are CC: ''closed captions''.
Let me explain to you the difference between subtitles vs closed captions and why you should choose one over the other
Subtitles are the text you see at the bottom of your screen when watching a video in a language you don't understand. They translate the spoken dialogue into your preferred language, making it easier for you to follow the content.
Unlike closed captions, subtitles do not include background sounds or speaker identification; they focus solely on translating spoken words.
When you watch a foreign film or a TV show, subtitles help you understand the dialogue. They are typically created before the video is released, and they are timed to match the dialogue. On many platforms, you can choose to turn subtitles on or off, depending on your preference.
Closed captions are text overlays that display the spoken dialogue and other audio elements in a video. Unlike subtitles, closed captions also include non-verbal sounds like background noises, music cues, and speaker identification.
It all started from the moment the U.S. government forced public television to improve the accessibility of their content. With the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the television media had to adapt to people with hearing and language impairments.
To do so, they included a textual representation of everything that was happening on the screen, whether it was actions, sound effects, character dialogue or narration, in their broadcasts. What we call captions!
In many other countries outside the US, closed captions are also required by law for accessibility purposes. Platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and TV broadcasters thus commonly provide closed captions to meet these regulations.
Let's get a more detailed overview of the difference between closed captions and subtitles :
Now that you know the difference, which one to choose for your specific video/audio project ? Here's what we recommend you :
If your primary audience includes viewers who speak different languages, subtitles are essential. Subtitles translate the spoken dialogue, making it accessible to people who don’t understand the original language of the video.
On the other hand, if your audience includes viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, closed captions are necessary. In this case, closed captions should provide a complete textual representation of the audio, including dialogue, background sounds, and music cues.
Like explained before, closed captions are required by law to ensure accessibility in many regions. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that public multimedia content must include closed captions. This applies to television broadcasts, online videos, and educational materials. If you need to comply with such regulations, closed captions are the way to go.
Subtitles do not have the same legal requirements but are widely used to make content accessible to non-native speakers. They are a standard feature in international video content and are crucial for reaching a global audience.
The type of content you are creating also influences the choice between subtitles and closed captions. For pre-recorded videos, such as movies, TV shows, and online tutorials, both subtitles and closed captions can be pre-synced with the video.
For live broadcasts and events, closed captions are more versatile. They can be generated in real-time, providing immediate accessibility for viewers. This is essential for live news, sports events, and any real-time content where post-production subtitles are not feasible.
Consider where and how your audience will be watching your content. In noisy environments, such as public places or crowded areas, closed captions can help viewers follow the content without missing important audio cues. This makes closed captions beneficial even for viewers without hearing impairments.
If your content will be viewed in a quieter setting, such as at home or in a classroom, subtitles may be sufficient. They help non-native speakers understand the dialogue and enhance the viewing experience without the need for additional audio descriptions.
Subtitles and closed captions both offer flexibility, allowing viewers to turn them on or off as needed. However, subtitles are typically embedded in the video file, especially for international content, and are available in multiple languages. Closed captions, while also toggleable, are often required to be available by default to meet accessibility standards.
At Checksub, we’ve developed a state-of-the-art solution to simplify and enhance your subtitling process :
You want to effortlessly generate accurate subtitles and captions ? Try Checksub for free.
