What are captions?

Captions are used to help people understand the soundtrack of a TV program, video or DVD. They re-create the entire soundtrack in text format, usually at the bottom of the screen, so that the viewer can read it.

Captions are coloured and positioned on the screen to show each character’s speech. Sound effects, music and other audio cues are also incorporated in the captions so that all relevant information is available to the viewer.

This is the main difference between captions and subtitles, because subtitles just show a translation of the dialogue into English.

	Figure 1: Colouring and positioning which indicate different speakers
	Figure 2: A song with lyrics
	Figure 3: A standard caption
	Figure 4: A sound effect shown in a box with a light background

Who uses captions?

Anyone, anywhere can use captions. Captions can enhance communication in any situation. Listed below are groups of people who find captions particularly useful:

Deaf people and hearing impaired people
People who are Deaf or hearing impaired rely on captions to follow the soundtrack of television programs, videos, DVDs and cinema movie screenings.

People trying to hear in noisy areas
Captions can be used by anyone who is trying to watch a broadcast in a noisy environment e.g. shopping centres, exhibitions, expos, conferences, banks, gyms, pubs and clubs. The use of captions on broadcasts in public areas complies with the spirit of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

People learning English
Many language schools use captioned DVDs, videos and television programs to help teach people English. The combination of the sound and text enables students to listen to the pronunciation of words whilst reading the captions.

People teaching and training
By combining the written and spoken word, captions help make training and education more accessible and easier for everyone to comprehend. They can be used by any organisation including schools, TAFEs, universities, hospitals and within the hospitality industry.

Some people even use captions to watch TV while talking on the phone.

Related articles

• Captions on your television
• DVDs and captions
• Cinema captioning
  

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Reproduced with permission.
Date reviewed:12.11.2008