lorZzeus t1_j6h8vdj wrote on January 30, 2023 at 8:33 AM

Yes, they are bad, which is not surprising, because Netflix gives like 15 days for a sole translator to sub and translate one full season. They also have instructions about the maximum number of words/characters (I don't remember which) a translator can use in a single line. Besides they don't pay very well for this kind of work...

I have no idea about the dubs, though. I know they use dubs from DVDs and TV channels in some shows/movies, so those dubs should be more faithful to the original content. I have no idea if they have used subs from DVDs in shows/movies, though.

So yeah, basically Netflix doesn't care much about the quality in their subs, they just want something done quickly. I wish they gave translators more time to make a good job and also less limitations in how they should do their work. One thing they could do is to let the translator rework and improve the subs right after they completed their 15 days assignment, giving them more time, which wouldn't matter much to Netflix since they already have the v1 subs for their content. A v2 sub would be quite welcome, Netflix.

TheSeventhAnimorph t1_j6hf649 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 10:03 AM

> They also have instructions about the maximum number of words/characters (I don't remember which) a translator can use in a single line.

This is a standard across subtitles in general, not a Netflix-specific thing.

lorZzeus t1_j6jo0x0 wrote on January 30, 2023 at 8:26 PM

I know and anyone who works in that area knows that too, but sometimes it's impossible to meet those requirement in a line or two. Netflix won't accept that and will force the translator to respect that instruction. They literally can't submit a subtitle which contains a line that has too many characters.

Hellpy OP t1_j6hjm6n wrote on January 30, 2023 at 11:06 AM

Damn, they really dumb like that. With all their different customers languages and different content languages, one would assume they don't cheap out on subs, but I guess that's the way she goes bubs. I'm most definitely cancelling Netflix before the 2nd bill comes up, illegal streams have 4k anyways

lorZzeus t1_j6jptvc wrote on January 30, 2023 at 8:37 PM

It could be worse, though. Crunchyroll, for example, is a streaming service for anime and they only have like subs for 5 languages. Their subs aren't very good either, so I guess it's a general problem in these streaming services that prioritize cheap subs just because they're quickly made and then they don't have to worry about them anymore.

It's dumb, given the fact these companies are investing millions and millions of money in making/acquiring new content for their services and then they think a sub made in a rush by someone who's being underpaid will be good enough.

On the other side, subtitles made by fans are usually good and they don't receive a single penny for it.