English-to-German Video Translation & Localisation

Our English-to-German video translation and localisation services are designed to help you reach a German-speaking audience with the most impact.

Content localisation needs to be done carefully, professionally, and with cultural context in mind, which is why partnering with a specialist is your best option. 

From translating on-screen video text to re-recording the audio in German, the team at Matinée Multilingual has the expertise and resources to deliver a high-quality, culturally adapted video that resonates with your target audience.

We know you don’t have the time or resources to handle video translation and localisation in-house, so we offer a one-stop solution for all your needs, including:

If you want to see how our German audio-video translation process works, we’ve broken it down below. 

Or, to get started on your project right away, fill out a Quick Quote form. One of our project managers will get back to you with a personalised quote according to your project specifications.

How German Audio-Video Translation Works

The process of accurately translating and localising a video from English to German involves several complex steps, which – without the right expertise – can lead to costly mistakes (some of which we’ve outlined in our article The Potential Pitfalls of Video Translation).

It’s not quite as easy as just translating the dialogue word-for-word and replacing it with German audio. Often, direct translation doesn’t preserve the intended meaning or context of the original video, particularly for common idioms or cultural references.

We use professional and highly-skilled linguists, often native to the German language and culture, who understand these nuances and can accurately convey them in the translated audio and subtitles.

Here’s how it works…

Step 1) Audio Transcription

The process begins by transcribing the original English audio into a transcript (a bit like a script). This will also mean adding time codes to the transcript, so that when we come to re-recording the German voice over, the artist can deliver the lines at the correct time for the video.

We also ask you to provide us with the video’s source files, so we can work directly with the original video and audio files. Having the source files makes the process much easier and smoother.

However, if you don’t have the source files, for example, if a third party created the video, we can still work with the final video output, there will just be some additional steps involved.

Step 2) Translation of the Transcript

Our professional translators will then translate the English transcript into German, taking into account cultural nuances and localisation best practices. 

Your intended audience will also influence the translation choices we make. For example, there are different German dialects spoken in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. If your target audience is specifically from one of these regions, we can ensure the language used in the translation reflects that.

The translator will assess whether changes need to be made to the original script or on-screen text, too.

When making translations between languages, there are often differences in sentence structure or word count, which may require adjustments to ensure the translated version still fits within the appropriate timing of the video.

A phrase such as “Visit our website!” in English transliterates into “Besuchen Sie unsere Website!” in German – a longer sentence that may need to be adapted to fit on-screen text or subtitles with limited character counts, and also takes a little longer to say in German than in English. These are small but important details that our translators will take care of during the translation process.

Step 3) Re-Recording of German Audio & Text Implementation

Once the translation has been completed, we’ll then have a professional German voice artist record the new audio in sync with the translated video. The time code elements added in Step 1 and any alterations made to the script in Step 2 mean the new audio will fit seamlessly with the visuals.

Once the translation has been completed, we’ll then have a professional German voice artist record the new audio in sync with the translated video. The time code elements added in Step 1 and any alterations made to the script in Step 2 mean the new audio will fit seamlessly with the visuals.

We’ll send you a hand-selected list of German voice artists suitable for your project, so you can choose the voice that best fits your brand and target audience. 

In your brief, include as many details as possible about the style and tone of voice you’re looking for, as well as any specific character or accent requirements.

If your video also (or only) includes on-screen text, the translated and adapted on-screen copy will also be added at this stage. This could include titles, subtitles, or animated text.

The way this is done depends on the styling of your video. Watch below for a deeper dive into how we do this…

Step 4) Proofreading & Quality Assurance

With the English-to-German voice translation and text implementation complete, the video then undergoes a thorough proofreading and quality assurance process.

If your video includes subtitles, we’ll send you a low-resolution copy for review and feedback before we make any final adjustments or deliver the final high-res version.

Step 5) Delivery

Once the final quality checks are completed, we’ll deliver your completed video in your preferred format (e.g., MP4, MOV) and resolution. We can also provide you with individual audio files if needed.

How Much Does German Video Translation Cost?

Rates of German video translation can vary depending on the complexity of the project, such as the number of words, the length of the video, and whether there are on-screen graphics or animation involved.

We offer competitive per-minute and per-word rates for German translation, and you can find a full breakdown of our rates below.

Can I Use My Own Translator to Translate My Audio or Video?

If you have a translator within your business or network who can provide an accurate and high-quality translation of your video, then great!

But most of the time, we find that working with a translator within the voice over industry who understands the technical aspects of video production and subtitling can lead to a much more efficient and professional final product.

While we can work with your translator and brief them on the technical aspects, this can slow down the entire process. 

If the translations aren’t provided in the format required for our team to work with (such as not being time-coded using hours:minutes:seconds:frames), we’ll have to go back to square one and restructure the translation for subtitling or voice-over.

We recommend allowing us to take care of the translation for you – it’s what we do every day, and our team are experts in crafting accurate, nuanced translations that fit perfectly with your video.

Simplify Your German Video Translation with Matinée

If you’re ready to take your video global, we’re ready to help make it happen. Our experienced team has worked on thousands of voice-over and subtitling projects for clients worldwide, so you can trust us to deliver high-quality, professional translations that resonate with your target audience.

Get in touch today to discuss your project and receive a free, no-obligation quote for our German video translation services. We look forward to helping you grow your business internationally!

FAQs

Can I Use Software to Translate My Video into German? + –

While plenty of online translation tools are available, they often produce translations word-for-word without understanding the context or cultural nuances of the language. This can lead to translations that are unnatural and difficult for native speakers to understand.

For professional, accurate translations that will resonate with your target audience, contact Matinée for our German video translation services.

How Long Will It Take to Translate My Video into German? + –

The time it takes to translate your video depends on the length and complexity of the project, as well as any revisions or edits required. Once we receive your brief, we can provide you with a more accurate estimate.

Can You Translate German Video into English? + –

Yes, we offer translation services for both English-to-German and German-to-English. Our team of linguists are experts in both languages, ensuring accurate and high-quality translations that will resonate with your target audience in either language.

What Video Format Do You Need for Subtitle Translation? + –

We can work with most video file formats, including MP4, MOV, MPG, and AVI.

Do You Offer Translation Services for Other Languages? + –

We do! We can translate your video into over 80+ languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, and more. Contact us today to discuss your project and receive a free quote.