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Mehdi's avatar

English subtitle for videos

Hi Jeff, Hi laracsts lovers. I just subscribed to your wonderful web site, and I really want to thank you for the effort you provided in the explanation. Jeff, I think many of your subscribers are not English or American who can speak or understand English easily, I would have liked if it's possible to add subtitles in English to your next videos. Thank's

0 likes
31 replies
JeffreyWay's avatar
Level 59

Yeah - I'd love to add subtitles to Laracasts. Mostly, this all comes down to time. Subtitles are particularly difficult and time-consuming for code videos, so I'll need to figure out a way to manage things.

11 likes
MarcTroesken's avatar

Have you ever thought about offering your videos in different languages ?

xingfucoder's avatar

I think that a possible solution could be offer a Transcript of Lessons, it would be between only the lesson and the subtitle solution.

The subtitle need to put on time each lesson content and transcript would content all you told us in each lesson.

Another option would be a contribution area in your Laracast site that allows us to give you some features as possibility of enter subtitles or transcriptions for each lessons. I think in this community some of us would contribute.

What do you think about it @JeffreyWay?

4 likes
bashy's avatar

I'd happily add in transcripts to parts of videos if that was possible. Could have a form to submit certain parts and update any if they're wrong. I think as the site grows, there may well be a higher need for it.

2 likes
ekaitzastiz's avatar

I don't have very good English level, but Jeff speaks cleanly and clear, and with video I follow him easily, but don't see it urgent, anyway I am sure there is people who will be greatful

kyrpas's avatar

Just came across this service: http://speakertext.com/

I tried the free 5' translation with one of Laracast's public videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqDomWno2C0) and it worked almost perfectly.

You can find an .srt file (compatible with youtube/vimeo) here: http://cl.ly/3E3w1m1H0G0o

They also provide a little plugin to show the subtitles right next to the video. Not sure if this is preferable to just loading the subs to youtube/vimeo directly, but here it is: http://speakertext.com/captionbox

It looks like the easiest way to add subtitles. They won't be 100% perfect but they'll be very close. Also, if youtube/vimeo can somehow pull subs from github we could all pitch in and fix any typos/issues.

I'm sure it's much easier said than done, and probably there are many other priorities now but it's a start. What do you think, @JeffreyWay?

5 likes
karmazzin's avatar

It would be great to have the subtitles for the video! I'm deaf, and at all desire can not understand it.

3 likes
SNaRe's avatar

If I were you, I would give Laracast credit to who creates subtitles for your videos. This is a win-win situation.

2 likes
karmazzin's avatar

How can it be done? I am new in laravel community, was looking for "subtitles for laracasts", found this post

alenabdula's avatar

The whole point of a video tutorial is that you are following what is being typed. If you add subtitles then you'll be reading them. I don't understand the benefits. If you have disability and can't hear maybe a book would be more benificial. Having said that, I wouldn't be opposed to it, if it proves helpful.

tios's avatar

@Jeoffrey: I am a native German and my Latin is much better than my English ;) I have no problems to understand your great videos!

@non-english viewers: It may be helpfull watching English or American TV for a couple of minutes a day. For example a youtube-video relating to one of your hobbies. After a few days you will be able to understand nearly everything - without subtitles or dictionarys.

Unfortunately it doesn't help writing in English :-)

1 like
toniperic's avatar

@alenabdula if you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, that doesn't mean you should abandon screencasts and switch to books. That's rather rude thing to say.

I support the idea of optional subtitles.

3 likes
alenabdula's avatar

@toniperic dje si Toni

I wasn't being rude. I'm saying "maybe a book" I'm not telling anyone what to do. It was just a suggestion.

But the FACT is... if you put any text on the screen you'll read it, and it's going to take away form the screen cast. Just try watching a movie with subtitles and try not to read them... You simply can't. That is my whole point. Also, I said that i wouldn't be opposed to it if it proves beneficial.

I guess I'm being rude to some imaginary blind person. Jeez.

andy's avatar

+1 for this idea.

To English: I'd suggest having a small team to transcribe and verify the transcripts. The captions themselves will help those who aren't native speakers of English. They will even help those whose English is bad -> poor.

Captions could be added on later if transcripts alone are not enough.

Even though I'm a native English Speaker I understand that English isn't the best option but the internet and Hollywood movies have turned English as a default fallback and also the least contested alternative.

Esperanto ... oh well ...

Other languages: Translating into other languages with possible voice overs could come later based on revenue generated.

Benefits: More members === more money

alenabdula's avatar

@andy Not everything is about money. And I doubt that subtitles ROI will be significant. I bet other improvements or additions could have higher return. Also, adding staff, transcribing (maybe outsourcing this to save) costs money. It's little bit more complicated than what you have outlined.

PS: Again just to be clear, I'm not opposing or agreeing with this implementation. I honestly could care less. Just my opinion here. Halla!

kodeine's avatar

There must be some voice to text services. We can use that and auto transcript :)

1 like
dmcglone's avatar

@karmazin I am also hearing impaired, but have a Cochlear Implant. I was once reluctant to sign up for laracasts, but luckily for me Jeff speaks very clearly, so I don't have any problems, but if you need help with something, because you aren't understanding what he has said, give me yell, I'd gladly help you.

1 like
andy's avatar

@ alenabdula

Nice link!

I agree that not everything is about money.

I did translating/interpreting on and off for about 20 years. I can also agree about costs but being creative can get around this.

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alenabdula's avatar

@andy I totally agree. If this helps people, sure Jeff might need to get creative.

nakikio's avatar

Hello Guys, I've been using Laravel for over two years and Laracasts has been my primary source of knowledge for this wonderful framework, however my friends are having a hard time catching up because they don't speak english (I'm from Mexico), and lately I've been working with subtitles and translation for videos. I came across this thread and I offer my services to translate and subtitle the videos, (Obviously with the Laracasts crew permission). If any of you are interested just let me know.

3 likes
JavierOrellana's avatar

@JeffreyWay what about giving premium users the ability to translate videos to any languages they speak, and give them like don't know... a free month of subscription for every 10-15 videos they sub... even some advanced users whom speak other languages could aprove translations like "Subtitle Moderators" or something like that, like @SNaRE said before... it's a win-win...

1 like
sirrahtam's avatar

@jeffreyway Any progress or updates on captions or subtitles for your videos? It really is the right thing to do, especially to ensure that your material is accessible to everyone, from users who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to non-native English speakers who rely on closed captioning. There have been a few times when I wanted to watch your videos, but was in a place where I couldn't play the audio and was surprised to see that it wasn't an option to enable. Thank you!

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