Subject: Re: Ideas
From: awb@uk.ac.ed.aipna (Alan W Black)
Date: 1990-11-29, 03:36
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks

In article <35570012@hpopd.HP.COM>, richardh@hpopd.HP.COM (Richard
Hancock) writes:
|>I can't comment on US closed-captions, but UK subtitles for Twin Peaks have
|>been exceptionally accurate. Very few (non-Germans) in the UK would
know what a
|>"Wienie" (sp?) is, but the people who wrote the subtitles got it right.
|>
|>Having said that, they did transcribe "Low Town" as "Lotown". So I
assume that
|>they repeatedly listen to the soundtrack until they're confident that they've
|>understood what was said.
|>
|>Richard.
         
Although I think the UK subtitles are good I wouldn't go as far as saying
they are "exceptionally accurate".  They often don't have the full text of
what is actually said, which I accept as there isn't much room at the
bottom of the screen.  Though I do like they way they add extra information
about sounds on and off shot. (e.g "owl hoots" and "'Invitation to Love' 
in background") 

However they do get it wrong sometimes, missing some important points.
For example Jose often makes speech errors, and misuses idioms, however
the subtitles usually correct these mistakes.  I think one time
Jose says to Pete "On top in the morning to you" which Pete corrects
but the subtitles had already corrected it.  (Though I can't confirm 
that as the subtitles don't get recorded properly by the video).

Alan

Alan W Black                          80 South Bridge, Edinburgh, UK
Dept of Artificial Intelligence       tel: (+44) -31 225 7774 x228 or x223
University of Edinburgh               email: awb@ed.ac.uk