Subtitles and Caption Subtitles 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What subtitle format is natively supported by HTML5 video elements?
- WebVTT (.vtt) (Correct answer)
- SRT (.srt)
- ASS (.ass)
- TTML (.ttml)
Correct answer: WebVTT (.vtt)
HTML5 uses the <track> element which natively supports the WebVTT format for displaying subtitles and captions.
Question 2: What is a 'translator's note' (TN) in subtitling and when is it used?
- A brief on-screen note explaining a cultural reference or untranslatable term (Correct answer)
- A comment added in the subtitle file for the editor only
- A warning at the start of a film about subtitle quality
- A credit for the subtitle translator at the end of the film
Correct answer: A brief on-screen note explaining a cultural reference or untranslatable term
A translator's note appears briefly on screen to explain culture-specific content that cannot be fully conveyed through translation alone.
Question 3: In subtitling, what is 'condensation' (also called 'reduction')?
- Shortening or simplifying spoken dialogue to fit subtitle line-length and reading-speed constraints (Correct answer)
- Compressing the subtitle file size for streaming
- Reducing the number of subtitle tracks in a file
- Lowering the opacity of subtitles to reduce visual distraction
Correct answer: Shortening or simplifying spoken dialogue to fit subtitle line-length and reading-speed constraints
Condensation is the practice of paraphrasing or shortening spoken dialogue so it can be read at a comfortable pace within the allotted timecode.
Question 4: Which accessibility law in the US requires most online video content to include captions or subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing?
- The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) (Correct answer)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act
- The Rehabilitation Act Section 504
Correct answer: The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
The CVAA (2010) extended captioning requirements to internet-delivered video, building on earlier FCC rules for broadcast TV.
Question 5: What is the difference between 'interlingual' and 'intralingual' subtitles?
- Interlingual subtitles translate between two different languages; intralingual subtitles remain in the same language as the audio (Correct answer)
- Interlingual subtitles are for deaf viewers; intralingual subtitles are for hearing viewers
- Interlingual subtitles appear at the top; intralingual subtitles appear at the bottom
- Interlingual subtitles are open; intralingual subtitles are closed
Correct answer: Interlingual subtitles translate between two different languages; intralingual subtitles remain in the same language as the audio
Interlingual means across languages (e.g., French film with English subtitles), while intralingual means within the same language (e.g., English subtitles for English dialogue).
Question 6: What is 'verbatim subtitling' and when is it preferred?
- Transcribing every word exactly as spoken, preferred in legal, educational, or live transcription contexts (Correct answer)
- Using only nouns and verbs to shorten subtitle length
- Translating subtitles word-for-word without regard to grammar
- Displaying subtitles only when a character speaks on camera
Correct answer: Transcribing every word exactly as spoken, preferred in legal, educational, or live transcription contexts
Verbatim subtitling captures all spoken words without paraphrasing and is required when exact wording is legally or academically important.
Question 7: Which tool or format is typically used to embed subtitles within an MKV container without burning them in?
- SRT or ASS subtitle tracks muxed into the MKV container (Correct answer)
- Only MP4 containers support embedded subtitles
- Subtitles must be burned in to be stored inside MKV files
- HDMV PGS bitmap subtitles are the only option for MKV
Correct answer: SRT or ASS subtitle tracks muxed into the MKV container
MKV containers support muxing multiple subtitle tracks (SRT, ASS, PGS, etc.) so they remain selectable and are not permanently burned into the video.
Subtitles and Caption Subtitles 4
What subtitle format is natively supported by HTML5 video elements?