Very amused to see how many errors have been occurring in BBC TV’s subtitles for live viewing. Not needing to read them, I had no idea.
Apparently, the live subtitles are delivered either via stenographers, typing the words phonetically as they listen, or by speech recognition, where someone talks into a microphone while listening to a broadcast and a computer converts their words. Needless to say, it is the latter system which has been causing problems.
Here are some of my favourite errors:
- “The Conservative Party is in favour of attacks on houses” instead of “a tax on houses”.
- Olympic athlete Kelly Holmes said she would be “hanging up Perspex” instead of “her spikes”.
- “Millions of puppies” were sold for Remembrance Sunday
- The government was “making holes for surgeons” instead of “helpful decisions”.
All this has a serious point, of course; accuracy is essential if the listener, viewer – even consumer – is to get the proper meaning. Being clear and concise is also vital.
I expect viewers of these subtitles got the point, despite the errors. But why not check the copy you are putting out for your product or service, either in marketing material, websites, or internal communications. Are you being accurate? Are your staff being so? Or are you – as one subtitle did - referring to an Ed Miller Band instead of an Ed Milliband?
For help and guidance on accurate, concise and clear copy please
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