What does "screen translation" typically refer to?

"Screen translation" primarily pertains to the translation of multimedia content, particularly subtitles and captions. This process involves not only translating the spoken dialogue of films and television shows but also ensuring that the timing and on-screen text are accurately synchronized with the visuals. The goal is to make the content accessible to viewers who speak different languages, maintaining the original intent, tone, and context of the audio-visual material.

The essence of screen translation hinges on how language is presented visually alongside moving images, which is crucial for comprehension in media consumption. This distinguishes it from the translation of websites, software interfaces, or marketing materials, which involve different contexts and formats of content. Therefore, the focus of screen translation on subtitles and captions aligns perfectly with its definition and practice within the localization industry.