Subtitling and Subtitle Translation Services

PoliLingua provides professional subtitling and subtitle translation services in over 200 languages, for film, TV, streaming, advertising, e-learning and corporate video. We translate, time-code and format subtitles and closed captions to broadcast standards, delivered in the file format you need, SRT, VTT, EBU-STL and more. Every project is handled by native subtitle translators and quality-checked under ISO 17100:2015. Send your video and get an exact quote fast.

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Subtitle Translation Services

The value of subtitles is in reaching audiences who don't speak the original language, and that means translation, not just transcription. Subtitle translation is a specialised skill: the translator must convey meaning within strict character limits and reading-speed rules, so the line fits on screen and can be read in the time it's shown. A literal translation that's too long to read is a failed subtitle.

PoliLingua's subtitle translators are native speakers of the target language who understand these constraints. We translate and adapt dialogue, on-screen text and captions across 200+ languages, preserving tone, humour and cultural references while meeting the timing and length rules of professional subtitling.

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Closed Captioning and Accessibility

Captioning makes your content accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, and increasingly it's a legal requirement, not an option. Broadcasters, universities, government bodies and enterprises must meet accessibility standards such as the ADA, FCC rules and WCAG, and captions are central to compliance.

We provide closed captioning and caption translation services, including speaker identification, sound descriptions and accurate time-coding. Whether you need same-language captions for accessibility or translated captions for international reach, we deliver files ready for broadcast, streaming platforms and learning management systems.

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Request a Quote UK: +44 20 3807 5500

Subtitling in Any Language

We provide subtitling services in more than 200 languages, always with native subtitle translators in the target language. Frequently requested language pairs include Spanish, Italian, French, German, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Hebrew and Greek subtitling, but the list is not limited to these. For multi-language releases we build a shared glossary and style guide so terminology and tone stay consistent across every language version of your content.

When You Need Human vs Automatic Subtitles

	Automatic captions	Professional subtitling
Translation to other languages	Unreliable or unavailable	Native translators, 200+ languages
Timing & reading speed	Ignored	Follows professional subtitling rules
Names, terms, accents	Frequent errors	Accurate, human-checked
Accessibility compliance (ADA/FCC/WCAG)	Not guaranteed	Broadcast and compliance ready
Best for	Informal, personal clips	Brand, broadcast, legal, commercial content

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Formats and Delivery

We deliver in every common subtitle and caption format, including SRT, WebVTT, EBU-STL, SCC and burned-in (open) subtitles hard-coded into the video. You can send us a video file or a link, with or without an existing script, and we return time-coded files ready to upload to YouTube, Vimeo, streaming platforms, broadcast systems or your LMS. Where needed, our team handles synchronisation and embeds the subtitles into the video for you.

Why Choose PoliLingua for Subtitling

Since 2002, PoliLingua has subtitled and captioned content for broadcasters, studios, agencies and businesses in over 80 countries. Subtitles are translated by native linguists and quality-checked under ISO 17100:2015, not auto-generated, so timing, reading speed and cultural nuance are right. We combine subtitling with transcription and voice over / dubbing for full audiovisual localization, and the quote arrives fast, not in two days.

Translate Your Subtitles

Frequently Asked Questions

Subtitling services prices at PoliLingua depend on the length of the video, the language pair, whether translation is required, or just subtitling of existing scripts, and the turnaround time. Professional subtitling services are typically priced per minute of video content. PoliLingua offers competitive rates for both monolingual and multilingual subtitles across a wide range of formats. Rush delivery is available at an additional cost. For an accurate quote, simply share the video duration, source language, and target languages, and our team will provide a detailed estimate within 24 hours.

The most widely used standard subtitle formats include SRT (SubRip Text), the most universally compatible format, VTT (WebVTT), used for online video platforms, STL (Spruce Subtitle File), common in broadcast, TTML, used for streaming services, and SCC (Scenarist Closed Captions) for broadcast compliance. PoliLingua's professional subtitling services support all major formats and can deliver subtitle files in whichever format your platform or broadcaster requires. Our team handles both open and closed captions, SDH subtitles, and multilingual subtitle tracks. Tell us your platform requirements and we will deliver in the correct format every time.

Yes, PoliLingua offers multilingual subtitles as part of our professional subtitling services. We can subtitle your video content simultaneously into multiple languages, with native-speaking translators in each target language ensuring accuracy and natural flow. Whether you need subtitles for corporate videos, eLearning content, films, or marketing materials, PoliLingua delivers consistent quality across all language versions. We handle everything from translation and synchronisation to format delivery. Multilingual subtitling is a cost-effective way to maximise the reach of your video content across global audiences.

Open captions are permanently embedded into the video and cannot be turned off by the viewer, they are always visible. Closed captions, by contrast, are a separate overlay that viewers can toggle on or off, typically accessed via a CC button on their video player. Closed captions are the standard for broadcast and streaming platforms, as they allow viewer control. Our professional subtitling services include both open and closed captions, as well as SDH subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Our team ensures proper synchronisation, formatting, and compliance with broadcast standards for every project.

SDH stands for Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Unlike standard subtitles, SDH subtitles include additional information beyond spoken dialogue, such as speaker identification, sound effects, and music cues, to provide a complete viewing experience for audiences with hearing impairments. SDH subtitles follow specific formatting guidelines and are required by many broadcasters and streaming platforms. At PoliLingua, our professional subtitling services include English SDH subtitles and SDH in multiple target languages. Our team is experienced in meeting SDH formatting requirements for broadcast, streaming, and home video distribution.

Yes, PoliLingua offers SDH subtitles (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) as part of our professional subtitling services. Our SDH subtitle service includes speaker identification, sound effect notations, and music descriptions, formatted to meet broadcast and streaming platform standards. English SDH subtitles are available as standard, and we can produce SDH in a wide range of target languages for multilingual releases. Whether you need SDH for a streaming platform, DVD release, or broadcast submission, PoliLingua's experienced subtitling team delivers accurate, compliant, and professionally timed results.

Do you Need Assistance?

We are here to support you in obtaining a relevant quote for complex document translation, website localization, PDF translation, software localization, and any other translation-related projects.

Request a Quote UK: +44 20 3807 5500