Types of Subtitling

Gottlieb divides subtitles on the basis of two factors, of language and technical process (247). On the basis of language, they can be divided into intralingual and interlingual. Intralingual subtitles or subtitles in the same language as the programme, are used either for hearing-impaired or for people who are learning a foreign language. Gottlieb describes this form of translation as vertical, as it is just putting down an oral text in writing. Interlingual transfer not only translates from one language to another, but also changes it from speech to writing. This can be called diagonal form of transfer as the change is from oral text in one language to written text in another language.

On the basis of technical process, there are two types of subtitles – open and closed. Open subtitles are not optional and are generally part of the film or show. They can also be interlingual translations of the oral text, transmitted terrestrially and so are part of the television show. Closed subtitles are optional and can be controlled by the remote control of the television. One example would be the subtitles that go with programmes for the differently abled. They could also be interlingual translation that is transmitted through satellite and is available in different languages to different speech communities. These sort of closed subtitles are possible only in television shows, as the viewer in this context can select her options of viewing the show using the remote control.