Get started
TED Translators and transcribers help spread ideas to a global audience. Here's what you need to know to get started.
Workflow
Subtitles go through the following steps before publication:
1. Transcription
TED provides an original transcript. (TEDxTalks are the exception — these are delivered in many languages and are transcribed from audio by volunteers.)
2. Translation
Subtitles are translated from the original language into the target language, using a simple online interface.
3. Review
Subtitles are reviewed by an experienced volunteer. Reviewers must have 5 long talks (roughly 90 minutes of video) published in the target language.
4. Approval
Before publication, reviewed translations are approved by a TED Language Coordinator or staff member.
Crediting
TED places tremendous priority on crediting volunteers for their contributions. Volunteers with published subtitles will have:
- Their profile appear in our translator directory
- A special TED profile page, listing their published work
- Their name credited in TED’s video player when TED Talk subtitles are active
Requirements
Language and subtitling skills:
- Volunteer translators should be fluently bilingual in both source and target languages.
- Volunteer transcribers should be fluent in the transcription language.
- Volunteer translators and transcribers should be knowledgeable of subtitling best practices.
Assignments:
- New volunteers should work on one assignment at a time.
- Assignments should be completed within 30 days.
- Before attempting to review, volunteers must subtitle 90 minutes of talk content.
TED Translators use a free online subtitling tool called Amara to subtitle talks and collaborate with other volunteers.
Contact us at translate@ted.com.