Spanish Closed Captioning Style Guide

Nov 25, 2024

13 min read

Closed captions in Spanish help make video content accessible to a broader audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those watching in environments where sound isn't an option. Following these guidelines ensures that your captions are accurate, professional, and easy to follow. At Fluen Studio, many of these rules are seamlessly embedded into our AI and NLP-powered algorithms, applying them automatically to Spanish language content wherever possible to save you time and effort.

Throughout this guide, you’ll find clear examples and actionable guidelines tailored specifically for long-form content, helping you create captions that meet high industry standards. Whether you're new to captioning or looking to refine your process, this resource is designed to make closed caption creation more effective and straightforward.

1. Language and Regional Variants

Spanish is a widely spoken language with significant regional variations in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Adapting subtitles to the appropriate regional variant ensures that your content resonates with the target audience, enhancing both comprehension and engagement.

1.1 Use the appropriate regional variant

Spanish (Latin America):

This variant is the preferred choice for audiences across Central and South America, encompassing countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile.
Common traits include the use of "ustedes" for the plural "you" instead of "vosotros" and specific regional vocabulary (e.g., computadora for "computer").
Pronunciation markers like "seseo" (the pronunciation of "z" and "s" as "s") are consistent across most Latin American regions, making it widely accessible.

Spanish (Spain):

This variant caters to European audiences and includes unique linguistic traits such as the use of "vosotros" for informal plural "you" and "ustedes" for formal contexts.
Vocabulary differences include terms like ordenador (Spain) versus computadora (Latin America) for "computer."
Pronunciation differences, such as the "distinción" (the distinction between "z" and "s"), are key identifiers of this variant.

1.2 Guidelines for Regional Adaptation

Vocabulary Choices:
- Use region-specific words to ensure familiarity and relatability. Avoid terms that may confuse or alienate audiences.
  - Example:
    - Latin America: carro for "car"
    - Spain: coche for "car"
Cultural Sensitivity:
- Adapt idiomatic expressions to match the cultural context of the target audience. Direct translations of idioms can sound unnatural or even offensive.
  - Example:
    - English: "It’s raining cats and dogs."
    - Latin America: Está lloviendo a cántaros.
    - Spain: Llueve a mares.
Formal vs. Informal Address:
- Match the formality level of the dialogue to the regional norm:
  - Latin America: Use ustedes for both formal and informal plural "you."
  - Spain: Use vosotros for informal plural "you" and ustedes for formal contexts.
Grammar Variations:
- Pay attention to regional grammar differences, such as the use of voseo in some parts of Latin America (e.g., Argentina and Uruguay):
  - Latin America (standard): Tú tienes.
  - Argentina (voseo): Vos tenés.

1.3 Avoid Mixing Variants

Consistency is Key:

Avoid mixing regional variants within the same project unless explicitly required for creative or narrative purposes. Mixing terms can confuse viewers and break immersion.
If the content requires mixing variants, clearly define the reasoning (e.g., characters from different regions interacting) and maintain consistency within each character’s dialogue.

Example of Mixing to Avoid:

Incorrect:Compré un carro, pero tengo que llenar el depósito de gasolina.(Mixes Latin American carro with Spanish depósito instead of tanque for "gas tank.")
Correct (Consistent):Compré un carro, pero tengo que llenar el tanque de gasolina. (Latin America)Compré un coche, pero tengo que llenar el depósito de gasolina. (Spain)

2. Timing and Synchronization

Effective timing and synchronization are essential to ensure that Spanish subtitles enhance the viewing experience without distracting or confusing the audience. Proper synchronization aligns subtitles seamlessly with the audio and visual elements of the content, while accounting for the natural reading speed of Spanish viewers. This includes ensuring subtitles remain on screen long enough to be read comfortably, especially considering variations in sentence length and structure typical of the Spanish language.

2.1 Minimum and Maximum Durations

Minimum Duration: Subtitles should remain on-screen for at least 5/6 of a second (approximately 20 frames at 24fps). This duration ensures that even fast readers have sufficient time to process the text. Shorter durations may cause viewers to miss information, leading to frustration and a diminished understanding of the content.

Maximum Duration: Subtitles should not exceed 7 seconds. Displaying subtitles for longer periods can lead to visual fatigue and redundancy, especially if the text does not change. Prolonged subtitles may also interfere with the viewer's focus on the visual content.

2.2 Synchronization Principles

Align with Speech Onset and End: Subtitles in Spanish must appear in sync with the speaker’s dialogue, ensuring they display as the speaker begins talking and disappear when the speech concludes. Proper alignment is especially critical for Spanish audiences, where sentence structure and pacing can vary. Misalignment can disrupt comprehension, making it harder for viewers to follow the conversation and detracting from the overall experience.

Gaps Between Subtitles: Maintain a minimum gap of 1.5 seconds between subtitle events to ensure smooth transitions. This spacing prevents "stacking" subtitles, which can overwhelm the viewer and disrupt the viewing experience.

Best Practices:

Strategic Gaps: Use gaps to separate distinct dialogue or scenes, allowing viewers to process each subtitle without cognitive overload.
Avoid Overlap: Ensure that new subtitles do not appear too quickly after the previous ones, maintaining a comfortable reading pace.

Lag and Anticipation: Subtitles should neither anticipate speech by more than 1.5 seconds nor lag behind by more than 1.5 seconds. Proper timing ensures that subtitles align with the audio, enhancing comprehension.

Exceptions:

Off-Screen Narration or Voiceovers: Slight flexibility in timing is acceptable to accommodate the nature of the narration.

Pacing with Speech Speed: Match the pacing of the subtitles with the natural speed of the speech. For visible speakers, lip-syncing is essential as it reinforces understanding and maintains synchronization between audio and visual elements.

3. Readability: Line Length, Layout, and Character Limits

Ensuring Readability: Readability is fundamental for effective Spanish subtitles. Proper line length, logical breaks, and adherence to character limits are essential to ensure subtitles are easy to read and understand. For Spanish content, it’s especially important to account for sentence structure and longer word lengths, maintaining clear and concise captions without losing meaning.

3.1 Character and Line Limits

Characters per Line: Limit each line to a maximum of 42 characters, including spaces and punctuation. This constraint ensures that subtitles do not overwhelm the screen and remain legible.

Best Practices:

Conciseness: Use clear and concise language to convey the message within the character limit.
Avoiding Overcrowding: Prevent lines from becoming too dense, which can strain the viewer's eyes.

Lines per Subtitle: Restrict each subtitle to a maximum of 2 lines. Limiting the number of lines per subtitle prevents overcrowding and maintains visual clarity.

3.2 Placement

Subtitles should be center-justified and placed at the bottom of the screen. This standard positioning ensures consistency and minimizes interference with the visual content.

Exceptions:

Important Visuals: If essential elements like lower-thirds, graphics, or on-screen actions occupy the bottom area, consider placing subtitles at the top of the screen to avoid obstruction.

3.3 Text Breaks and Line Segmentation

Proper segmentation enhances the readability and flow of subtitles. Breaking lines appropriately ensures that viewers can follow the dialogue without confusion.

Guidelines for Line Breaks:

After Punctuation Marks: Preferably, break lines after commas, periods, and other punctuation to maintain natural pauses.
Avoid Separating Words Unnaturally:
- Articles and Nouns: Do not split articles (el, la, los, las) from nouns.(e.g., "el lápiz" instead of "el / lápiz")
- Prepositions and Objects: Keep prepositions (en, sobre, con) with their objects.(e.g., "en el sofá" instead of "en / el sofá")
- Conjunctions and Clauses: Do not separate conjunctions (y, pero, o) from their clauses.(e.g., "y esos libros" instead of "y / esos libros")
- Nouns and Adjectives: Keep descriptive pairs together.(e.g., "un pájaro pequeño" instead of "un / pájaro pequeño")
- Names: Do not split names.(e.g., "Juan Pérez" instead of "Juan / Pérez")
- Verbs and Auxiliaries: Keep verbs with their auxiliary verbs.(e.g., "ha comido" instead of "ha / comido")

Example: INCORRECT

Estamos tratando de obtener una

línea de subtítulos fluida.

CORRECT

Estamos tratando de obtener

una línea de subtítulos fluida.

Best Practices:

Natural Flow: Ensure that line breaks do not disrupt the natural reading flow.
Clarity: Maintain clarity by keeping related words and phrases together.
Visual Balance: Distribute text evenly across lines to enhance visual appeal.

4. Dialogue, Interruptions, and Speaker Changes

Handling dialogue, interruptions, and speaker changes effectively in subtitles ensures that the conversation's dynamics are accurately conveyed to the viewer.

4.1 Speaker Differentiation

Using Hyphens for New Speakers: Use a hyphen (-) to indicate a change in speakers within subtitles. This method clearly distinguishes different speakers, especially in rapid exchanges.

Multiple Speakers in One Subtitle: When multiple speakers appear within a single subtitle, ensure that each line represents a distinct sentence or complete thought. This clarity prevents confusion about who is speaking and maintains the flow of the conversation.

Example:

- ¿Qué hora es?

- Son las dos y media.

4.2 Sound Effects and Speaker Labels

Sound Effects: Use brackets to denote sound effects within subtitles. This practice differentiates non-dialogue sounds from spoken words, providing context without confusion.

Example:

[voz en la distancia] ¡Baja inmediatamente!

Simultaneous Effects and Dialogue: When sound effects occur simultaneously with dialogue, use hyphens to differentiate between the two.

Speaker Names: Include speaker names when necessary, especially in scenes with multiple characters or when the speaker is off-screen. This addition provides clarity about who is speaking.

Example:

- [María] ¿Vienes?

- [Juan] En un minuto.

4.3 Interruptions

Using Double Hyphens for Abrupt Interruptions: Use double hyphens (--) to represent abrupt interruptions in dialogue. This notation conveys the sudden stop or change in the conversation.

Example:

Te dije que-- ¡Basta!

Best Practices:

Clarity: Ensure that interruptions are clear and do not disrupt the readability of the subtitle.
Consistency: Use the same notation for all types of interruptions throughout the content.

5. Punctuation and Formatting Rules

Proper punctuation and formatting in subtitles enhance readability and ensure that the intended meaning is conveyed accurately.

5.1 Sentence Continuation Across Subtitles

Avoiding Ellipses for Seamless Continuation: Do not use ellipses (...) for sentences that continue naturally into the next subtitle. Allow the text to flow without unnecessary punctuation, maintaining the sentence's integrity.

Example: INCORRECT

Estaba pensando......

que podríamos ir juntos.

CORRECT

Estaba pensando

que podríamos ir juntos.

When to Use Ellipses: Use ellipses only to indicate:

Pauses Longer Than 2 Seconds: Signifying a significant break in speech.
Dialogue Trailing Off: Showing that a speaker's thought is incomplete or fading.

5.2 Spanish Punctuation

Spanish punctuation differs slightly from English. Always use:

Opening and closing question marks (¿?) and exclamation points (¡!).
Ellipses (…) to indicate pauses or unfinished thoughts.
Standard commas, periods, and semicolons as appropriate.

Example:

-¿Crees que logrará hacerlo? -¡Claro que sí!

Avoid using colons (:) to introduce dialogue unless it’s part of a formal list.

5.3 Simplified Punctuation

Using Straightforward Punctuation for Clarity: Opt for simple punctuation marks to ensure clarity and ease of reading. Avoid complex structures that may complicate the subtitle.

Guidelines:

Avoid: Colons (:), semicolons (;), or other complex punctuation.
Prefer: Commas (,), periods (.), and straightforward sentence constructions.

Example: INCORRECT

Él dijo: "Te veré mañana."

CORRECT

Él dijo, "Te veré mañana."

5.4 Quotation Marks

Enclosing Dialogue: Use double quotation marks (" ") to enclose spoken dialogue. This practice clearly distinguishes speech from other text elements.

Quotes Within Quotes: Use single quotation marks (' ') for quotes within quotes to maintain clarity and proper formatting.

5.5 Numbers and Time

5.5.1 Numbers: Spell Out Numbers Zero to Ten: Use written words for numbers from zero to ten to maintain consistency and readability.

Example Hay cinco manzanas sobre la mesa.

Use Numerals for Numbers Above Ten: For numbers exceeding ten, use numerals to ensure clarity and avoid clutter.

Example: Ella tiene 15 libros.

Spell Out Numbers at the Beginning of Sentences: Always write out numbers when they start a sentence to adhere to grammatical standards.

Example: INCORRECT

15 personas asistieron a la reunión.

CORRECT

Quince personas asistieron a la reunión.

5.5.2 Time:

Use Numerals for Specific Times: Represent specific times using numerals for precision to ensure clarity and consistency.

Example: La reunión empieza a las 9:30 a.m.

Formatting "a.m." and "p.m.": Use lowercase letters with periods and no spaces to indicate morning (a.m.) and afternoon/evening (p.m.). This format is common in Latin American Spanish.

Considerations for Time Formatting:

Latin American Spanish: Use the 12-hour clock format with "a.m." and "p.m." to distinguish between morning and afternoon/evening. This is the standard and widely understood format across most Latin American countries.
European Spanish: Use the 24-hour clock format, omitting "a.m." and "p.m."
Example: La reunión empieza a las 15:30.
When creating subtitles for a global Spanish-speaking audience, consider the target region and adapt the time format accordingly. If the content is intended for both regions, default to the format specified by the client or use contextually appropriate formatting.

5.5 Common Mistakes to Avoid

5.5.1 Literal Translations

Avoid word-for-word translations that sound unnatural in Spanish.
Example: INCORRECT
Estoy sintiendo como si estuviera volando.
CORRECT
Siento que estoy volando.

6. Reading Speed and Accessibility

Maintaining an appropriate reading speed and ensuring accessibility are vital for accommodating diverse Spanish-speaking audiences, including those with varying reading abilities. Factors such as sentence complexity, word length, and regional language nuances should be considered to provide a seamless and inclusive viewing experience.

6.1 Recommended Reading Speeds

Maintain a Limit of 17 Characters Per Second (CPS): Subtitles in Spanish should not exceed 17 characters per second, equating to approximately 140–150 words per minute (WPM). This limit accounts for the longer average word length in Spanish and ensures subtitles remain readable without causing viewers to rush through the text. For content aimed at children or audiences with lower reading speeds, consider reducing the limit to 13–15 CPS.

Implementation:

Calculate Total Characters: Divide the total number of characters (including spaces and punctuation) by the display duration in seconds.
Adjust Timing or Text: If the CPS exceeds 17, either shorten the text or extend the display time to maintain readability.

6.2 Increase Display Time for Specific Scenarios

Unfamiliar or Technical Terms: When subtitles contain specialized vocabulary or jargon, increase the display time to allow viewers to comprehend the terms fully.

Action: Extend the subtitle duration to accommodate the complexity of the terms.

Multiple Speakers in a Single Subtitle: Subtitles featuring dialogue from multiple speakers require additional time for each speaker's lines to be read comfortably.

Action: Ensure sufficient display time to read both lines without rushing.

Busy Visuals (e.g., Action Scenes): During scenes with intense visual activity, such as action sequences, viewers may find it harder to focus on reading subtitles. Increasing display time in these contexts aids in maintaining comprehension.

Action: Prolong the subtitle display to ensure readability amidst visual distractions.

Best Practices:

Adaptive Timing: Adjust subtitle timing based on context to enhance accessibility.
Consistency: Maintain consistent reading speeds across similar contexts to avoid viewer confusion.
User Testing: Conduct tests with diverse audiences to ensure that reading speeds are comfortable for all viewers.

7. Linguistic Accuracy

Linguistic Accuracy: Linguistic accuracy ensures that Spanish subtitles faithfully represent the spoken dialogue, preserving the original intent, tone, and cultural context while maintaining readability. This includes careful attention to grammar, idiomatic expressions, and regional language preferences to ensure subtitles resonate with the target audience.

7.1 Verbatim vs. Edited Subtitles

Verbatim Subtitles: Whenever possible, use verbatim subtitles to preserve the speaker’s exact words, tone, and intent. This approach maintains the authenticity of the dialogue and respects the original content.

Example:

"Pues, este, no sé, tal vez podríamos, eh, intentarlo otra vez."

Edited Subtitles: Edit the content for readability only when the speech speed exceeds reading limits. This editing should aim to enhance clarity without altering the speaker's original message or tone.

Guidelines for Editing:

Maintain Meaning: Ensure that edits do not change the intended meaning of the dialogue.
Simplify Structure: Use simpler sentence constructions to facilitate easier reading.
Remove Filler Words: Eliminate unnecessary filler words (e.g., "este," "eh," "o sea") that do not contribute to the message.

Best Practices:

Balance Accuracy and Readability: Strive to maintain a balance between staying true to the original dialogue and ensuring that subtitles are easy to read.
Consistency: Apply editing rules consistently throughout the content to maintain a uniform viewing experience.
Respect Speaker's Voice: Avoid edits that could misrepresent the speaker's emotions or intentions.

8. Style and Consistency

Maintaining a Consistent Style and Formatting: Ensuring consistent style and formatting across all Spanish subtitles is essential for delivering a professional and seamless viewing experience. Consistency enhances readability and allows viewers to focus on the content without being distracted by unnecessary stylistic variations. This includes adhering to uniform punctuation, font usage, and timing rules throughout the project.

8.1 Consistency Across Content

Uniform Formatting: Ensure that all subtitles within a project adhere to the same font style, size, color, and placement. Uniform formatting fosters a cohesive look and prevents distractions caused by abrupt changes.

Best Practices:

Font Selection: Choose a clear, legible font that remains readable across different screen sizes and resolutions.
Size and Color: Use a consistent font size and color that contrasts well with the background, enhancing visibility.
Placement: Maintain consistent subtitle placement (e.g., bottom center) unless specific visual elements necessitate changes.

Consistent Terminology and Style: Use the same terminology and stylistic choices throughout the subtitles. This consistency helps in maintaining the flow and avoids confusion.

Examples:

Terminology: Decide whether to use "tele" or "televisión" and stick with that choice.
Stylistic Choices: Decide whether to capitalize the first letter of each subtitle (e.g., "Hola, ¿cómo estás?") or use sentence case consistently (e.g., "hola, ¿cómo estás?").

Avoid Abrupt Changes: Refrain from making sudden changes in font, placement, or style within the same project. Abrupt variations can distract viewers and disrupt the viewing experience.

Best Practices:

Style Guide: Develop and adhere to a subtitle style guide for all projects to ensure uniformity.
Review and Edit: Regularly review subtitles for consistency in formatting and style throughout the content.

9. Advanced Considerations

Advanced considerations in subtitle creation involve synchronizing subtitles with visual cues and managing scene transitions to enhance viewer comprehension and engagement.

9.1 Synchronization with Visual Cues

Aligning Subtitles with On-Screen Actions: Ensure that Spanish subtitles are synchronized not only with spoken dialogue but also with on-screen actions. This alignment enhances comprehension by providing context and reinforcing the connection between audio and visual elements.

Example 1:

[sonido de explosión] ¡Necesitamos evacuar ahora!

The subtitle appears simultaneously with the visual explosion, enhancing the impact.

Example 2:

[se abre la puerta] ¿Quién está ahí?

The subtitle coincides with the visual of the door opening, providing context.

Avoid Premature Display of Dramatic Subtitles: Do not display subtitles for dramatic events (e.g., explosions, sudden movements) before the visual occurrence. Premature subtitles can create confusion and disrupt the viewing experience.

Best Practices:

Timing: Carefully time subtitles to align with both audio cues and visual actions.
Contextual Relevance: Ensure that subtitles provide context without overshadowing the visual storytelling.

9.2 Scene Transitions

Managing Subtitles Across Scene Changes: When transitioning between scenes, do not carry subtitles into the new scene unless the dialogue explicitly continues across scenes. This practice maintains clarity and prevents confusion about the continuity of dialogue.

Guidelines:

End of Scene: Remove subtitles at the end of a scene unless the dialogue persists.
Continuing Dialogue: If dialogue continues into the next scene, ensure that the subtitle reflects the ongoing conversation without abrupt breaks.

Best Practices:

Clear Transitions: Ensure that subtitles do not overlap with scene transitions, maintaining visual and contextual clarity.
Consistent Style: Maintain the same subtitle style across scenes to preserve consistency.