When to use a break (<br>) in subtitles?

Contributing Subtitling
1

Hello all,

I am learning how best to subtitle at the moment, and I was wondering what are the best practices regarding using the break tag (< br >)? When should it be added, so the subtitles are best perceived by the viewer?

Thank you :heartpulse:

2

Line Breaks & Characters-limit

  1. Subtitles should be concise and can include up to two lines of text per segment, or about 84 characters (one line is about 42 characters). However, If there is a need to exceed 84 characters or two lines in order to fully translate the content, always defer to translating the line as completely as possible .
  2. There should not be any line breaks in a segment unless there are:
    1. Two (or more) speakers in one segment
    2. On-screen text
    3. OST/background music requiring lyrics
    4. Any combination of the above
  3. If text has to be broken, please follow these rules:
    1. The line should be broken:
    • after punctuation marks
    • before conjunctions
    • before prepositions
2. The line break should not separate:
  * a noun from an article
  * a noun from an adjective
  * a first name from a last name
  * a verb from a subject pronoun
  * a prepositional verb from its preposition
  * a verb from an auxiliary, reflexive pronoun or negation
3. If text has to be broken into two lines because there are two speakers in the segment, please break the line and use a hyphen to indicate each new person speaking.

E.g. Fei Liu: “Let’s go back.” Mei Changsu: “Fine, let’s return.” It should be entered as such: - Let’s go back. < br >- Fine, let’s return.

Note: A space is always required before the < br > tag
More info about formatting subtitles: https://contributorhelp.viki.com/hc/en-us/articles/18460034532883-Tip-Formatting-subtitles and https://contributorhelp.viki.com/hc/en-us/articles/32675659461523-Viki-Subtitle-Guidelines

5 Likes
3

Thank you, Anna, this was a very informative read, and I have checked out the links as well. :hand_with_index_finger_and_thumb_crossed: :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

4

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image1707Ă—675 180 KB

So in this case, I am allowed to use the line break, right? Because the 1st line exceed 42 characters. Then, on screen, the subtitle a bit out of frame.

5

Yes, you can add < br >

1 Like
6

thank you for your reply!!!