Saying that Zoom is a popular platform for companies feels like an understatement. However, if you’re using it to speak to a limited English proficiency (LEP) individual or group, then translated closed captions might be an essential part of that equation.
In total, an estimated half a million businesses worldwide use Zoom to communicate, including 70 percent of the Fortune 100 and more than half of the Fortune 500.
While Zoom is a robust platform, you need to make use of the right features if you want to ensure a video call is accessible.
Fortunately, it’s possible to have closed caption translations on Zoom. If you need translated closed captions, here’s what you need to know.
Zoom Closed Caption Options
Before diving into closed caption translations, it’s vital to review the built-in closed caption options are available through Zoom. Along with knowing how they work, it’s critical to understand whether any of the approaches has limitations. That allows you to focus on solutions that meet your needs without wasting time on those that don’t.
Auto-Generated Captions
A free feature available to all Zoom accounts, auto-generated captions all Zoom to provide closed captions with little more than a click of a toggle button. It’s a solid option for meetings where a person isn’t available to provide the needed captions, giving those who are hard of hearing or deaf an easier way to track the conversation.
With auto-generated captions, the Zoom platform uses speech-to-text-style capabilities to create captions as a meeting progresses. Zoom will populate the captions with a relatively short delay, allowing the presentation or conversation to flow fairly naturally.
While Zoom plans on adding other languages over the coming years, auto-generated captions are currently only available in English. Additionally, the system isn’t perfect. If there is background noise or the speaker talks too softly or unclearly, the captions may become inaccurate. Similarly, it may struggle when generating captions for LEP speakers and with certain dialects.
Manual Captioning
The manual captioning feature is also free and allows the host to assign a person to create captions for the meeting. The benefit of this approach is higher accuracy, as a person may have an easier time capturing what’s said in various situations than the auto-generated option.
Additionally, manual captioning creates opportunities for translated closed captions. By choosing an appropriate fluent person, they can effectively interpret what’s said as it’s spoken, allowing them to create translated closed captions that genuinely reflect the conversation as it unfolds.
Often, the main drawback is speed. While manual captioning can be fast, there may be a larger delay than with auto-generated captions. Typically, as long as the speaker and any participants relying on the captions are aware, it isn’t a hindrance. That’s particularly true if you partner with a professional for your closed captions, as their experience allows them to move quickly while maintaining accuracy.
Third-Party Closed Captioning
Zoom does integrate with multiple third-party closed captioning services. Often, this approach functions similarly to one of the top options above, as the third parties typically offer auto-generated or manual captioning services, depending on their model.
Enabling this feature is simple. Inside the Zoom meeting settings, the host copies the closed caption API token and provides the URL to the third party to make the connection. Once that’s integrated, the third-party captions will display during the meeting.
Getting Captions Translated for Zoom Meetings
If you need translated captions for Zoom meetings, the auto-generated option built into Zoom won’t do the trick. Even when the service adds languages, they won’t offer translations. Instead, it will create closed captions for meetings where one of the other eligible languages is spoken, targeting mainly individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf.
For translated closed captions, you’ll need to use the manual captioning or third-party option. With the former, a meeting host can assign manual captioning responsibilities to any person, including a professional translator. With the latter, you can choose a live translation service provider, allowing you to accomplish the same goal.
By finding a reliable, professional closed caption translation service, you get high-quality, reliable closed caption translations whenever the need arises. When you partner with Acutrans, you can access a translator with proven skills in the target language. They’ll attend the meeting, creating top-tier translated captions quickly and efficiently. That allows the presentation or discussion to move forward with ease, ensuring there is as little of a delay as possible between what’s spoken and the appropriate captions showing on the screen.
Do You Need Reliable Closed Caption Translation Services?
Finding top-notch, dependable closed caption translation services is vital if you want to make your meeting accessible to a broader audience. By choosing a closed caption translation company that adheres to the strictest quality standards, you get high-quality results.
If you need professional live closed caption translations for your video-based content, Acutrans can help. Acutrans also provides top-tier interpretation services – including on-site, over the phone, and video remote – ensuring you can access all of the language support you might require.
The Acutrans team offers a fast, reliable, and professional solution. Contact us for a free quote today.