SUBTLE - the Subtitlers' Association
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subtleuk.bsky.social
SUBTLE - the Subtitlers' Association
@subtleuk.bsky.social
150 followers 38 following 160 posts
As an association for audiovisual translators, SUBTLE seeks to represent and protect the interests of professionals working in all fields of AVT
https://linktr.ee/subtle_subtitlers
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subtleuk.bsky.social
It's time for another #SUBTLEpuzzle!

This time, we chose one of the clever puns from "Severance". A "break room" is normally a designated area in a workplace where employees can go for a short period of rest or refreshment. In the show, however, it is used to break them mentally.
A man in a dark suit stands in a stark, white hallway lined with fluorescent lights. He faces a door labeled “BREAK ROOM” on the right-hand wall. The setting appears sterile and minimalistic, evoking a corporate or institutional atmosphere.
November 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
We're excited to announce another joint event with @subcomm.bsky.social! This time, we'll be discussing and questioning client subtitling guidelines, which can often seem arbitrary and non-applicable.
A promotional graphic with a pink and purple grainy background for an event between SubComm and Subtle. Both logos appear at the top followed by large black text that says "Reframing client guidelines" Smaller black text then says, "Mon 8th December 3-4:30 PM UK time, Zoom, Join SubComm and SUBTLE for an informal chat and networking opportunity between AVT practitioners and researchers". Finally, there are two links: subcomm.co.uk and subtle-subtitlers.org.uk, with a graphic of a lilac film reel on the right.
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
In our last webinar of the year, Paweł Aleksandrowicz will give us an overview of research papers that identify the most common issues with pivot templates, and then we will move on to possible solutions.
Promotional poster for a Subtle event titled “Low-quality pivot templates: challenges & solutions” with Paweł Aleksandrowicz. The session is scheduled for 3 December 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm GMT. The poster invites viewers to sign up via the link in the bio. The design features the Subtle logo at the top and an illustration of a red and grey film reel with tape at the bottom left. The background has a faint grid pattern.
November 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
😱

#SubtleMemes #Halloween #subtitling #AI #MTPE
Cartoon image of a scared anime-style girl crouched under a desk, crying, while a menacing Terminator-style robot looms close by holding a gun. The caption reads: “WHEN THE AI GETS A CHANCE TO POST-EDIT YOUR .ASS INSTEAD.”
October 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Our webinar with Maria Dunkley on live captioning is tomorrow!

The webinar is free of charge for Subtle members and £15 for non-members.

It will take place via Zoom on Thursday 30th October, 6:30-8:00 PM GMT / 7:30-9:00 PM GMT+1.
October 29, 2025 at 9:33 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Spooky season never ends over here!

#SubtleMemes #AVT #translation #QC
A still from a horror movie shows Michael Myers standing ominously on a suburban sidewalk, half-hidden behind a tall hedge. The caption reads: “JUST YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOOD QC’ER / PATIENTLY WAITING FOR YOU TO DELIVER THE MOVIE.” The Subtle logo, a speech bubble, is placed by the character as if he is saying it.
October 24, 2025 at 9:56 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
In her latest column, Nota Mouzaki gives AI-generated subtitles a piece of her mind. Have a read – the link is in our bio!
A promotional graphic for SUBTLE’s blog. The main quote reads: “At the end of the day, it’s not about who can do it quickest. It’s about who can do it with skill, care, and creativity.” Below, smaller text says: “Read the next column from the series ‘Not-AI’s notes: subtly about subtitling’ on SUBTLE’s blog! By Nota Mouzaki.” The bottom of the image features a small circular photo of a woman and the SUBTLE logo with a speech bubble design. The background is light pink, and the main text is in dark red.
October 20, 2025 at 10:35 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
2 weeks to go until our next webinar with Maria Dunkley on live captioning and its use on TV and in other settings, such as conferences, webinars, shows, etc.

The webinar is free of charge for Subtle members and £15 for non-members.

Zoom, Thursday 30 October, 6:30-8:00 PM GMT / 7:30-9:00 PM GMT+1.
October 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Thank you to Christos Kanellopoulos for this one!

#SubtleMemes #AVT
A two-panel meme of Joey from Friends. In the top panel, Joey sits at a table looking smug. Text says "My dashboard is finally empty." In the bottom panel, his expression turns to alarm. Text says "My dashboard is empty"
October 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Subtle is very excited to be partnering with SubComm for this online symposium focusing on research that can help audiovisual translators in their work. Abstract submissions are open now! Read more at: www.subcomm.co.uk/events
"A document with the heading ""Call for Papers SubComm Symposium: AVT Research for Practice A conference for AVT academics and practitioners Friday 27th February 2026 – online in partnership with Subtle"" The full text can be found at www.subcomm.co.uk/events" The second page of the document. The full text can be found at www.subcomm.co.uk/events
October 13, 2025 at 9:52 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
#SubtleMemes #AVT #AI #rates #subtitling #film
"A three-panel meme: In the first image, a boss has his hands slammed on the table. Three colleagues sit at a table looking alarmed. He says ""Our blockbuster has a budget of 200 million. How much to localise it for a global audience?"" In the second panel, one employee says ""50k, tops!"" The next says ""AI!"" A third one, slouching at the desk says ""Could we try..."" The third panel shows the boss looking angry. The employee continues: ""Decent rates that do justice to our big blockbuster?"" To the right is an image of the employee falling out of the window of a tall office building, glass shattering around him."
October 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Did you know Subtle has a student membership category?

Read about all the benefits for students below and join us today!

#AVT #accessibility
1. Underneath the Subtle logo, large text says, "Are you studying audiovisual translation or media accessibility?" "Want to build your network and demonstrate professionalism" next to a cartoon of notebooks. Underneath, it says "Then join Subtle for just £25 a year" with an arrow inviting users to click onto the next graphic. 2. Underneath the Subtle logo, large text says, "As a student member, you can..." followed by several benefits: Join our free webinars to boost your expertise, get ahead of the game on our Discord channel: meet professionals, ask for advice from people who’ve been there before, hear about job opportunities and keep on top of industry news, add the Subtle logo to your CV and email signature, get discounts on events, software and books—perfect for when you’re starting out! And loads more! Another arrow invites users to click onto the next graphic. 3. "Visit subtle-subtitlers.org.uk/join-us to submit your application today!" above a cartoon of a laptop with the Subtle logo on the screen.
October 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
It's time for another subtitling puzzle!

Sherlock’s mind palace is a memory technique where he imagines a detailed mental space, placing information in different “rooms” so he can recall it later. It was dramatised in the BBC show Sherlock as the source of his sharp deductions.
A man with dark curly hair looks intently forward, his hand raised slightly as if in thought. Overlaid white text reads: “Liberty, Indiana H.O.U.N.D.” The background glows warmly with a large yellow light, creating a focused, analytical atmosphere.
October 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
If you've been thinking of joining Subtle but you're not sure what you'll get out of it or how to even apply, we've got just the guide for you!

And be sure to watch this space: we'll be sharing more about our membership benefits over the next few weeks!
Underneath the Subtle logo, large red text says "Want to be part of a thriving global community of AV translators?" with an arrow inviting users to click onto the next graphic. Underneath the text is a group photo of smiling Subtle members. Underneath the Subtle logo, large red text says "Want to learn from experienced professionals, showcase your work, hear about jobs and socialise with like-minded people?" with another arrow. Underneath the Subtle logo, large red text says "Then join Subtle today! You don’t have to be a freelancer. We also welcome students and academics!" with another arrow.
October 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
#InternationalTranslationDay #ITD2025 #ITD #ITD25
Graphic with a quotation inside a red border. At the top is the Subtle logo. The text reads: “Translation is that which transforms everything so that nothing changes.” — Günter Grass. Below, in bold red letters: “Happy International Translation Day from Subtle!”
September 30, 2025 at 8:32 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Subtle's chair Max Deryagin and committee members Merry Cannella and Rachel Jones spoke to journalist Lucy Carter recently about the creative role of SDH authors and AI's detrimental impact on our working conditions and quality, and their interview is out in The Guardian!

Link in our bio!
A screenshot of the Guardian article "'Tentacles squelching wetly': the human subtitle writers under threat from AI", with an image of Eleven from Stranger Things and the caption "[Eleven pants]"
September 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
How does it feel to collaborate directly with a film-maker on an indie project? In the latest instalment of My Favourite Project, Simone Taylor writes about her experience subtitling the Brazilian show "Full Steam Punks" into English. Enjoy!

(The link is in our bio!)
An image on a red background. In the top left, a circular portrait of Simone Taylor smiling and wearing glasses. Text to the right says "My Favourite Project". In the bottom right, a poster for Full Steam Punks, showing six characters in elaborate steampunk costumes with airships in the background. The tagline reads “Brazilian Literature as you’ve never seen it before!” To the let, the caption says “Simone Taylor about ‘Full Steam Punks.’”
September 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
In our next webinar, Maria Dunkley will provide an introduction to the world of live captioning and its use on TV and in other settings, such as conferences, webinars, shows, etc.

The webinar is free of charge for Subtle members and £15 for non-members.
Poster for an online event by Subtle (Subtitlers for Excellence). Title: “On Air, Off Script: An Introduction to Live Captioning with Maria Dunkley.” Date and time: October 30, 2025, 6:30–8:00 pm GMT. Text at the bottom: “Sign up via the link in the bio!” A red and gray film reel with unspooled tape is illustrated in the lower left corner.
September 19, 2025 at 8:55 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Last week our chair and members headed to Amsterdam for #IBC2025, a media and tech show. They talked with lots of LSPs and software companies to learn about the latest tech developments, discuss challenges facing the industry and represent the needs of freelancers.
Rachele, Max, Iris, Marielle and Tina standing outside in front of large 3D red letters that say "IBC2025". Marielle, Iris, Max, Rachele and Tina smile in front of red neon signs. They all wear IBC lanyards. Henrik, Iris, Marielle, Isabelle, Max, Tina and Marijke smile in a meeting room.
September 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
The 2025 Emmy Awards have been handed out! We couldn't be more proud of our members who worked on the nominated series and programmes, either by authoring subtitles, dubbing scripts or templates, or QC'ing the work of their colleagues.
A promotional graphic celebrating Emmys 2025 with the heading “Subtle Members’ Work on Nominees.” It highlights 47 titles, 17 languages and 6 types of work. The image features a yellow and maroon color scheme with the Subtle logo on the top left and an Emmy statuette on the right.
September 15, 2025 at 8:48 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
It's %&*!$% Friday!

#SubtleMemes #translation #subtitling #AVT
An image zooming in on a painting of two devilish creatures. One clasps his hands cunningly and looks at the other, while the other holds his hand up to his chin pensively. Text superimposed on the painting says "-honestly sometimes he gets a little too vulgar for me, but I'm a fan". Text above says "When the profanity muse hits you just right".
September 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Has your client offered a rate but you're not sure if it's viable? Need a clearer idea of your take-home wage? Fed up of explaining why 1.50 USD/minute just isn't enough to survive?

Our brand-new rates calculator helps you work out what you need to charge for your business to thrive!
A graphic showing a retro cartoon of a pink calculator. In the top left corner, red and pink text says "New!". Below the calculator, text says "We've launched a rates calculator! subtle-subtitlers.org.uk/subtitling-rates-calculator"
September 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
#SubtleMemes #AVT #subtitling #translation
In the top image, Homer from The Simpsons sleeps soundly. Text says "How I sleep when the QC is in a safe pair of hands". In the bottom image, Marge lies awake, her eyes bulging with red veins splintering into the middle. Text says "How the QCer sleeps".
September 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Wishing you all an AI-free weekend!

#SubtleMemes #AI #AVT #subtitling #translation
A girl in school uniform holds up a tuba. Another schoolgirl has her head in the bell of the tuba, pressed against the wall, so you can only see her body. The tuba is labelled "AI/MTPE debates". The girl holding the tuba over the girl's head is labelled "LinkedIn". The girl with the tuba over her head is labelled "Translators".
August 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
subtleuk.bsky.social
Zoo Digital Group PLC is still not paying their freelancers.
A graphic with a grey background and text in a white textbox says, "We are still receiving lots of messages from freelance translators waiting for payments from @Zoo Digital Group plc. These linguists have worked for Zoo for many years and have seen the situation deteriorate. People say they have been waiting for months, and in some cases up to a year, without clear information from the finance team," followed by the Subtle logo. A graphic with a grey background and text in a white textbox says, "Our members are frustrated, desperate and considering legal action. They have diligently carried out their work for a long-standing client, and this is how that hard work is thanked. We worry about the stress this puts on linguists who are trying to put food on the table and pay their bills," followed by the Subtle logo. A graphic with a grey background and text in a white textbox says, "Their work should be valued and renumerated, and Zoo should not be assigning it without the intention of paying on time. We urge Zoo to pay their outstanding invoices and discourage linguists from working with them until these issues are completely resolved," followed by the Subtle logo.
August 13, 2025 at 3:40 PM