Technology has enabled the world to maintain communication even in the absence of a common language. Companies are continually evolving to adopt a model where their global customers and employees remain in contact even when they are in different parts of the world. Translating video content into multiple languages is a brilliant approach to reaching a wider global audience. Here is how to translate Japanese video to English:

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1. Use subtitles

The easiest and probably the best way to ensure that your English audience understands a Japanese video is to add subtitles. Using subtitles involves putting captions at the bottom of the screen, allowing the viewer to read while also watching it. It would be best if you first had an entire script of the video in Japanese. The script should then be translated into English. You can then add captions to the video when you have the script in the target language. Most video hosting platforms allow you to add subtitles quickly as they have an easy to follow captioning feature. Unlike other agencies that use machine translation, you could look at TheWordPoint that gives videos a human touch and provides human translation only. They take language nuances and contexts into consideration, thus fully immersing the audience into the message. 

1. Use a voiceover artist.

If you are looking to provide a more user-friendly translation option for your audience, you should opt for a voiceover artist. This option, however, is costlier than subtitling. It is also physically taxing and consumes even more time. It would be best if you used a native English speaking voice over artist. The native speaker is familiar with intonation, pronunciation, and idioms that may be hard for a non-native speaker to master. You should also make sure that the native speaker comes from the region you are targeting. If your target audience is a group of older people in England, you have no business hiring a voice over artist with an American accent.

1. On-screen visuals

It would help if you considered changing the visuals in your video when placing the voice over. If you are considering translating the video in the pre-production phase, it would be best to limit on-screen texts. However, if the video is out already, then you cannot erase the texts. The most effective and cost-efficient option is to add subtitles with the translation of the text. However, if you want to make an impression on your audience, you can consider updating the visuals. However, it will take time and cost even more as you will need to hire an artist. It may also pose a challenge when importing the visuals to the exact point in the video.

There is no specific option that is best for video translation. Your budget for the project will dictate your choice. If you are on a tight budget, then adding subtitles will be your best bet. Weigh the options and decide the one that best suits your needs.