Subtitles are an essential communication tool. They help us understand what words people say, it sounds environmental as a door blow, or if music is reproduced. But subtitles could do more to express the emotional context behind what is said.
Released on Android phones in December, Google’s expressive subtitles Your goal is to do that exactly.
What are expressive subtitles?
The expressive subtitles use the IA to communicate not only the spoken word but also the tone and volume used. For example, using all the limits to show emotion or screams, such as when a sports commentator announces a touchdown or his friend exclaims: «Happy birthday!»
Environmental sounds such as applause and cheers and vocal explosions such as sighs or gasps are also represented, so he will not only know when his team notes but how the crowd reacts.
These small details help express the emotional intention behind words, especially for live events and social content that do not have high quality or high quality subtitles.
Pros and cons of expressive subtitles
I am excited about the possibilities of expressive subtitles! People with hearing loss sometimes read emotions in spoken language due to listening fatigue or other factors, so explaining the intention behind black and white words can be useful. Written emotional signals can also help us take advantage of the community energy of a shared visualization experience, which could help us feel more secure encouraging aloud for our favorite team because we know that others are too.
But not at the expense of the precision of transcription or readability. It is important to remember that the main objective of the subtitles is for access to communication. Adding emotional signals is excellent, as long as they do not distract or prevent their use as an understanding tool.
What follows?
It will be interesting to see how technology evolves. Are programs with prepoblated subtitles (that is, movies or television programs with scripts) begin to include more emotional signals? Can users activate and disable them for different cases of use? Will Apple enter the game?
The expressive subtitles are currently available in the US. In English on Android devices that are executed android 14 and more that have a live subtitle. They can be used for live broadcasts and video messages, and since subtitles occur on the device, internet connection is not needed.
Thank you, Google for continuing to promote accessibility overwards!
Readers, would they use expressive subtitles?
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Book: Listen and beyond: living skillfully with hearing loss
