When you join TED Translators,
you will work with a global community of volunteers
to make extraordinary ideas accessible.
Before you get started,
let's cover how to create good subtitles.
The best subtitles can be easily read by viewers;
there's enough time to read the on-screen text
and process what the speaker is saying.
When you create subtitles,
stick to these simple rules:
Never use more than two lines per subtitle.
In most languages,
if a subtitle is longer than 42 characters,
break it into two lines.
Make sure each subtitle is on screen for at least one second.
Never combine two incomplete sentences in one subtitle.
[It's not very good-looking.]
Include sound information in parenthesis.
Represent on-screen text in square brackets.
Next, here's what to expect as a new TED Translator.
After your application is accepted,
you can select a talk to transcribe or translate.
Start with a shorter talk,
so you can get quick feedback from an experienced volunteer.
Speaking of experience:
only volunteers with at least five subtitled talks
can review other TED Translators' work;
this ensures new volunteers get the best advice.
Finally, a language coordinator will check your reviewed subtitles
and approve them for publication.
You'll receive credit for your subtitles on TED.com.