Swahili Subtitling and Captioning Services

Send your project viral with the help of the UK’s leading Swahili subtitling company.

Send your project viral with the help of the UK’s leading Swahili subtitling company. Add Swahili subtitles to a variety of content, including business presentations, corporate and educational videos, e-learning courses, feature films, promo videos and many more.

Whether you have one video or many, we can help. You’ll get an all-inclusive, cost-effective and hassle-free subtitling solution. We work with a global network of professional subtitlers, but you deal directly with us and can trust us to deliver your project to your specifications.

Our in-house subtitlers and project managers are equipped with industry-standard subtitling software and will thoroughly check all subtitle files before delivery, so you don’t need to worry.

With more than 15 years' experience in the subtitling field you are in safe hands. Rest assured you’ll receive accurately timed and perfectly translated Swahili subtitles!

Whether you are a corporate client or a translation or production company, we’ll adapt to your needs so that you can add video translation services to your portfolio of services.

We are only a call or email away or, if you prefer, you can visit our get-a-quote page to discuss your subtitling project in detail. You’ll receive spot-on Swahili subtitles to suit your project and needs.

I really enjoy working with GoLocalise. The team is very nice and flexible, and they deliver subtitles of high quality, both from a technical and linguistic point of view. Subtitling is a stress-free matter when it is in their hands, I would definitely recommend their services.

Marion Hirst Translation Project Manager at Language Wire

The benefits
of Using GoLocalise as your Subtitling Service Provider

WOW your clients with first-class English and foreign language subtitles.
Stringent quality control processes - subtitling templates created and checked in-house, and timed to professional standards.
Industry leading subtitling software to create subtitles that are perfectly timed to the exact frame and aesthetically positioned around shot changes.
Experienced native subtitlers able to translate the meaning whilst respecting the style and space constraints specific to subtitling.
All subtitles are thoroughly quality checked by our experienced project managers before final delivery.

You will receive ready-to-use videos with translated burnt-in subtitles - open captions - that are ready to be uploaded to your website. You can customise the style and look of the subtitles (font, size, colour, positioning, etc.).
Subtitles that can be switched on and off in multiple languages - closed captions – ready to be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo channels, DVD or Blu-Ray.
On-screen text and captions in your video can be translated and graphically edited, so that you receive a flawless foreign language version.
Reach a wider audience with SDH subtitles - Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.

THE SUBTITLING
PROCESS IN A NUTSHELL

1. RECEIPT OF THE FINAL VIDEO

This can generally be in any format, as long as the subtitling provider has the facilities for converting the video into the format supported by their subtitling software. It is always recommended to double check with the provider whether they need to receive the video in a specific format.

2. ENGLISH TEMPLATE

Usually undertaken if translation into more than one language is required.

3. TRANSLATION

Sending the English template to the linguist for translation.

4. RECEIPT OF TRANSLATED SUBS

The subtitle file is imported onto the subtitling software in order to perform final quality checks and ensure that subtitles do not exceed reading speeds or run over more than two lines.

5. QUALITY CHECK

If the results of the quality checks are not satisfactory, the subtitle file will be sent back to the  translator and necessary amends will be requested.

6. FINAL CHECK & SEND

After all the final checks have been completed and expectations have been met, the translated subtitle file is sent over to the client.

7. CLIENT APPROVAL

If burning-in is also required, the client needs to approve the translation. If any  changes to the translation are requested, these need to be communicated to the subtitler and will be implemented if they do not affect readings speeds, maximum characters per line etc. If they cannot be implemented, this will be communicated to the client and alternatives will be suggested.

8. BURNING-IN

Once all changes have been implemented and the final version of the translation is ready, the burning-in process (if requested) will take place.

9. IT’S READY

Your final video is ready, and will be delivered to you via WeTransfer, Hightail, Dropbox, FTP or another file-transfer service of your choice.

WHY CHOOSE US?

You deserve the best! Leave your project to the experts at GoLocalise so that you can relax and be assured of getting top-notch results.

Every single detail will be analysed, studied and looked after so that you do not need to worry. Some would say it’s not too classy to blow our own trumpet… but we just like to point out two very important details.

We have achieved ISO 9001 Quality Management certification in recognition of our consistent performance and high standards, and ISO 14001 Environmental Management because we care about our planet!

And if you are still curious and want to know more about us, why not have a look at our Team or Awards pages.

Meet the team See our awards

PROFESSIONAL
SUBTITLING FORMATS

Whether you want English or foreign language subtitles, GoLocalise is the answer!

We can adapt and time your own translation into subtitle format or create foreign language subtitles in any language from scratch, including English subtitles and SDH (Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing).

You can choose to receive your subtitles in over 40 formats, including: AQT, ASC, ASS, CIP, DAR, DAS, DAT, DKS, FDX, FPC, HTML, JS, JSS, LRC, MPL, MTL, OVR, PAC, PAN, PJS, RT, RTF, S2K, SAMI, SBT, SBV, SCC, SIF, SMI, SON, SRF, SRT, SSA, SST, SSTS, STL, STL, STP, SUB, TTS, TXT, USF, VKT, VSF, VTT, XML and ZEG.

We work with you so that you get the perfect subtitles to suit your needs.

Open captions

Ready-to-use videos with burnt-in subtitles, ready to be uploaded to your website. You can customise the style and look of the subtitles (font, size, colour, positioning, etc.).

Closed captions

Subtitles that can be switched on and off in multiple languages. These can easily be uploaded to your YouTube or Vimeo videos, DVD or Blu-Ray.

CAPTION AND GRAPHIC
EDITING

When localising and translating videos (whether you choose subtitling or voice over), you’ll find that often there are several elements that need to be localised. These elements can be on-screen graphics, text and/or captions.

Our expert project managers will review the video or project file and advise which elements would be best subtitled or graphically edited. If you do not have the project files, worry not; one of our expert editors will be able to re-create the graphics, captions and titles of your video.

Our expert editors work with a multitude of software: to localise graphics we use Photoshop or Illustrator; and After Effects and Final Cut Pro to create motion graphics and visual effects.

Once all elements are in the video, and the graphic elements have been created and localised, we can then rebuild the video and export it to whichever format and codec you need. We’ll prepare your video project for any platform, including PAL, NTSC, VOD, the Internet, smartphones, game consoles, mp3 players and tablets.

With our facilities and highly skilled operators, your videos are in safe hands!

WORKING ALONGSIDE
TRANSLATION AND
PRODUCTION COMPANIES

Having a strong audiovisual department on your side makes all the difference!

With GoLocalise you get an experienced and motivated team of professionals that work regularly alongside translation and production companies. We understand the technical requirements necessary to produce perfect foreign language and English voice overs. Our project managers will assist you along the way and we’ll break down the process and present it to you without the big words or technical industry jargon, so you don’t need to worry about the technical aspects and can simply concentrate on growing your business. By working with GoLocalise you’ll be able to offer additional services, i.e., voice over, subtitling and translation to your clients, with a partner who will deliver and on whom you can truly rely.

When working with translation companies we provide easy-to-follow guidelines so that you can provide your own translations for us to “convert” into subtitles, or voice over your translated scripts. Or if you prefer, we can take the entire project off your hands and keep things simple for you – it’ your call!

We’re equally used to working with production companies, so we can deliver your translations or subtitles in any language and format of your choice – either burning-in the subtitles onto the video for you, or supplying you with XML or PNG files for you to do yourself – Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro ready files.

REACH YOUR
TARGET MARKET

Don't leave your important communication to chance. Make sure your message is clearly understood by your audience and choose GoLocalise for your next voice over project.

We have thousands of passionate and professional voice over artists ready to work with you. No matter the type of voice you are looking for, we’ll either have it in our books or find it and source it for you. We’ll organise a casting and ensure you get the perfect voice to suit your needs.

You will also benefit from having your own dedicated project manager – a single point of contact – to guide you through your project, answer any questions you may have and make things a whole lot easier.

MEET YOUR DEDICATED
PROJECT MANAGER

Your project will be in the safe hands of one of our multilingual project managers.

They will guide you through every step and ensure you understand the process. Our industry has a tendency to use lots of technical jargon but your dedicated project manager will be on-hand to untangle the mess and explain all you need to know to ensure you only pay for what you need.

If you need help in choosing the right voice over talent to deliver your message then just ask your project manager. From booking our voice over recording studios to ensuring you project is delivered on time in your chosen media, relax and let your experienced project manager take care of everything. You will receive unparalleled attention to detail and customer focus at competitive prices. You'll wish everything was as easy as a GoLocalise voice over!

PERFECT VOICE OVER
RECORDING STUDIOS

Your most discerning customers will thank you for choosing our modern state-of-the-art recording studios. Every detail has been carefully thought through for your comfort, leaving you to simply focus on what matters most - the voice over session.

Your recordings will sound beautiful and crystal clear thanks to our high-end studio sound-proofing and audio equipment, i.e. ProTools HD and Neumann microphones.

Maximise your budget by reducing the need for retakes with the help of our experienced in-house sound engineers who will professionally capture and edit your audio. And for those recordings in languages which neither you nor your client speak, we’ll bring a qualified pro to your session to add that essential ingredient.

To make you feel right at home, we provide high-speed Wi-Fi Internet and air-con is available. And last but not least, we have the biggest cookie jar you’ve ever seen, that’ll make your custom brew taste even sweeter!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF Swahili

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a Bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people. It is a lingua franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of Southeast Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The closely related Comorian language, spoken in the Comoros Islands, is sometimes considered a dialect.

Although only around five to fifteen million people speak Swahili as their first language, it is used as alingua franca in much of Southeast Africa. Estimates of the total number of Swahili speakers vary widely, from 60 million to over 150 million. Swahili serves as a national of four nations: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its dialects are used as official languages in Comoros – Shikomor and Mayotte – Shimaore. It is also one of the official languages of the African Union and East African Community.

A significant fraction of Swahili vocabulary is derived from Arabic through contact with Arabic-speaking Muslim inhabitants of the Swahili Coast. It has also incorporated German, Portuguese, English,Hindustani and French words into its vocabulary through contact with empire builders, traders and slavers during the past five centuries.

Swahili is traditionally regarded as being the language of coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya, formalised after independence by presidents of the African Great Lakes region. It was first spoken by natives of the coastal mainland and spread as a fisherman’s language to the various islands surrounding the Swahili Coast. Traders from these islands had extensive contact with the coastal peoples from at least the 2nd century A.D. and Swahili began to spread along the Swahili Coast from at least the 6th century. There is also cultural evidence of early Zaramo people settlement on Zanzibar from Dar-es-salaam in present-day Tanzania. The African population of the island holds the tradition that it is descended from these early settlers.

Clove farmers from Oman and the Persian Gulf farmed the Zanzibar Archipelago, slowly spreading Islam and adding a few words to Swahili language and building forts and castles in major trading and cultural centers as far as Sofala (Mozambique) and Kilwa (Tanzania) to the south, Mombasa andLamu in Kenya, the Comoros Islands and northern Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, and Barawa to the north in southern Somalia. Demand for cloves soon established permanent trade routes, and Swahili-speaking merchants settled in stops along the new trade routes. For the most part, this process started the development of the modern Swahili language. However, the spread was hampered during the European colonial era and did not occur west of Lake Malawi, in what was then called the Belgian Congo, and is now Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, thus making it a secondary rather than a primary language in that region.

The earliest known documents written in Swahili are letters written in Kilwa in 1711 A.D. in the Arabic script. They were sent to the Portuguese of Mozambique and their local allies. The original letters are now preserved in the Historical Archives of Goa, India. Another ancient written document is an epic poem in the Arabic script titled Utendi wa Tambuka (The History of Tambuka); it is dated 1728. However, the Latin script later became standard under the influence of European colonial powers.

Swahili
Subtitling Services

Find out why we're the most talked about Swahili audio and video translation company in the UK

Send your project viral with the help of the UK’s leading Swahili subtitling company.

The benefits
of Using GoLocalise as your Subtitling Service Provider