Since I’ve uploaded a few French videos on my YouTube profile, I have seen a big interest in their translation into English. I’ve also noticed that some people have been adding subtitles and reuploading the videos on YouTube itself.
Fortunately YouTube has an easy system for adding subtitles to videos. If anyone is interested in transcribing or/and translating the lectures (into any language) you can send me the subtitles to my email and I will add them to the already uploaded videos.
Here is the procedure to create the appropriate .srt files for YouTube videos:
1) Download the video you’re interested in transcribing/translating with any of the freely available software made for this purpose. I use Orbit Downloader, but it’s bloatware, so I recommend an uninstall when videos are downloaded, if you don’t plan to use it.
2) Make the .srt files with Subtitle Workshop. www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Other-VIDEO-Tools/Subtitle-Workshop.shtml
3) Make sure you include your name, point out that you’re the translator, and include your e-mail at the end of the last .srt file (there will be multiple, since videos on YouTube are fragmented into 10min clips)
4) Send me the files and include your name again, so I can add you to the Acknowledgements page. You can also add a link to your personal website to be included there.
I’ve translated Studio City lectures “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CvVS6K1xyA” and the procedure is very simple:
1.) Download the videos from YouTube. You don’t need any programs, just download them through some of these sites “http://clipnabber.com/” or “http://www.savevid.com/” or “http://keepvid.com” or some other sites. There’s plenty of them.
2.) Use SubtitleWorkshop to add subtitles:
1.) “File” -> “New subititle”
2.) “Video” -> “Open” to load the video file
3.) Use the buttons below the video display:
1.) Play and stop or the slider to move to the position in the video
where you wish to add a subtitle text.
2.) Use the arrow buttons (10. and 11. from left in verson 4.00) to set when a particular subtitle should be displayed and when to stop.
3.) Add the subititle text in the edit box at the bottom.
That’s it. You will need to experiment with the program a bit to master it though.
Some pitfalls:
- Be carefull that display timings of individual subtitle texts don’t overlap, or the next text will be displayed over the current one.
- Subititle texts shouldn’t be to long or they will be broken into several lines and displayed all at once which is anoying to watch. Two lines max.
NOW TRANSLATE THE FRENCH VIDEOS ALREADY !!! :)