Getting started with TED Translators

A quick primer on TED Translators guidelines and subtitling best practices.

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.