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Translation and Localization

Use translation workflows to keep source timing aligned while delivering language-specific subtitle or transcript outputs.

Prerequisites​

  • Online mode is enabled for Automatic Translation and AI Tools → Translation Import.
  • File → Import → Translation does not require online mode; it only needs the source and target subtitle files.
  • Plan supports translation tools (Pro/Enterprise for automatic translation features).
  • Source Event Group is finalized enough for an AI translation pass.
  • Start AI translation jobs: AI Tools > Automatic Translation
  • Import completed AI translation jobs: AI Tools > Translation Import
  • Import a source file and a translated file: File > Import > Translation
  • Create/merge translation tracks: Event Group Options > Combine & Compare > Translation Merge
  • Combine notes, positioning, voice, and other Event properties from another group: Event Group Options > Combine & Compare > Metadata Merge
  • Sync event properties between groups: Event Group Options > Event Group Sync
  • Edit linked source group or allow original-text editing: Event Group Options > Settings

Workflow 1: Create translation jobs​

  1. Select the source Event Group.
  2. Open AI Tools > Automatic Translation.
  3. Choose provider, source language, and one or more target languages.
  4. Enable/disable formatting preservation based on delivery style.
  5. Submit jobs and track progress.

Validation checks​

  • Jobs are created for each selected target language.
  • Target language codes match your delivery specification.

Workflow 2: Import and structure translated groups​

  1. Open AI Tools > Translation Import after jobs complete.
  2. Import selected translation outputs into Event Groups.
  3. Name target groups consistently (language + client/package suffix).
  4. Verify linked-group relationships for future sync operations.

Validation checks​

  • Target group event counts are reasonable versus source.
  • Source/target mapping is correct for each language.

Workflow 2b: Import source and target subtitle files​

When you already have both a source-language subtitle file and a translated file (for example a vendor delivery), use File > Import > Translation instead of importing each file as a standalone subtitle track. The importer creates a source subtitle Event Group, a linked Translation Event Group with source and target text, and selects the translation group for review. See Translation File Import.

Validation checks​

  • Both files decoded without encoding or profile errors.
  • The translation group lists the source group as its Linked Group.

Workflow 3: Localization cleanup and merge​

  1. Open Event Group Options on the target translation group.
  2. Use Translation Merge and track comparison tools as needed.
  3. Resolve line breaks, punctuation conventions, and RTL/LTR presentation requirements.
  4. Apply language-specific style constraints and terminology checks.

Validation checks​

  • Reading speed and line lengths pass target style guide.
  • Font/character rendering is valid for target script.

Workflow 4: Keep translations in sync with source edits​

  1. After source or translation-side changes, open Event Group Options on either group.
  2. Open Event Group Sync.
  3. Choose the From and To Event Groups (defaults to the linked source → current translation). Use the swap control to push translator edits back to the source.
  4. Select the properties to copy. Timing, source text, position, speakers, and style are on by default. Notes, replies, tags, recipients, and translation text are off unless you enable them.
  5. Optionally enable Insert missing events when the source has events the destination does not.
  6. Run the sync, then review deltas and re-approve modified lines.

Source text mapping is directional: subtitle text becomes the translation group's original text, and original text on a translation group becomes the source group's text. Translation text is not overwritten unless you explicitly enable that property.

You can also set or change the Linked Group later from Event Group Settings. Changing the link does not copy events; use Event Group Sync to apply properties after linking.

Validation checks​

  • Updated source lines are reflected in the target workflow (or the reverse, when syncing back).
  • No orphaned translation events remain after sync when Insert missing events is enabled.

Troubleshooting​

Automatic Translation option is disabled​

  • Confirm online mode, active Event Group, and plan eligibility.

Imported translation appears misaligned​

  • Re-check source Event Group used for job creation.
  • Use track comparison/sync workflow before manual retiming.

Characters render incorrectly​

  • Validate target encoding/font support before export.
  • Run a platform-side playback check with target language content.

Video tutorial​