Understanding Subtitles: What They Are and Why They Matter

Subtitles are the text display of the dialogues and other sounds in a movie or TV show, usually displayed at the bottom of the screen. They are used to provide a translation of the spoken language, allowing viewers who do not understand the original language to follow the story. Subtitles can also be used to provide additional information, such as the names of speakers or background details.

Subtitles are typically displayed in the same language as the audio track, but they can also be provided in multiple languages for international audiences. They are usually displayed at the bottom of the screen and are synchronized with the audio track, so that the text appears at the correct time relative to the spoken words.

There are different types of subtitles, including:

* Open captions: These are subtitles that are always visible, even when the audio is muted. They are typically used for live events or programs where there is no opportunity to provide closed captions.
* Closed captions: These are subtitles that can be turned on and off by the viewer. They are typically used for pre-recorded content, such as TV shows and movies.
* SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing): These are subtitles that include additional information, such as speaker identifications and background sounds, to help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Overall, subtitles provide an important accessibility feature for viewers who may not be able to hear the audio track, or who need to follow the dialogue in a different language.