Reading Speed and Its Application in Subtitling and Captioning

What is Reading Speed?

Reading speed is typically measured in words per minute (WPM). It’s a metric that refers to the number of words a person can read and comprehend within a minute. For an average adult, the typical reading speed ranges between 200 and 300 WPM.

However, reading speed can vary significantly based on factors such as text complexity, visual format, and the reader’s familiarity with the content. In a subtitled or captioned video, these factors come into play, requiring careful consideration to ensure that viewers can comfortably follow along.

Here’s a quick look at how reading speeds stack up:

• 200 WPM: This is the lower end of the average reading speed. Most viewers would find this pace comfortable in subtitling or captioning scenarios. It allows for relaxed reading, absorbing not just words but also visual and auditory elements.
• 250 WPM: Considered the average reading speed for adults. At this pace, viewers can keep up with most standard subtitles in films or TV shows without feeling overwhelmed.
• 300 WPM: On the higher end of average reading speed, this is more challenging for viewers to maintain in real-time situations like watching videos with subtitles or captions, especially if the content is dense or fast-paced.
• 350+ WPM: This speed is typically too fast for comfortable reading in a subtitled video. While some speed readers can manage this, it would overwhelm most viewers, leading to frustration and diminished comprehension.

The Key Differences Between Subtitling and Captioning

Subtitles and captions both provide text versions of the audio in visual media, but they serve different purposes and are created with distinct guidelines.

• Subtitles translate or transcribe spoken dialogue and are generally designed for viewers who can hear the audio but may not understand the language (foreign language films, for example). Subtitles assume that viewers are relying both on audio and visual elements to follow the story.
• Captions provide a textual representation of not just spoken dialogue but also important sounds (e.g., “door creaks,” “music playing,” etc.) for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. These viewers often rely solely on the captions to fully grasp the content, as they cannot hear the accompanying audio.

Why Subtitling Can Have a Lower Reading Speed than Captions

Given these differences, subtitles generally accommodate slower reading speeds than captions. This stems from a few key factors:

1. Assistance from Audio: In subtitled media, viewers still hear the spoken dialogue and any accompanying sound effects or music. This means they aren’t wholly reliant on reading the subtitles for understanding. The combination of hearing and reading allows for a slower subtitle pace, often in the range of 150-200 WPM, which is easier to follow.

   For instance, in a subtitled movie where characters are having a slow conversation, the subtitles can comfortably follow the dialogue at 200 WPM without rushing the viewer. Even if a subtitle lingers for longer than the exact timing of the spoken line, the viewer can still understand the rest of the audio cues.

2. Visual and Auditory Overlap: In subtitles, reading speed can be reduced because viewers divide their attention between what they see and hear. If a viewer is focusing on visual aspects (such as cinematography, facial expressions, or action scenes), the brain processes less of the written word. Keeping subtitle speeds slower gives viewers time to digest the text without missing out on the visual experience.
3. Captions: Solely Reliant on Text: On the other hand, captions typically require a faster reading speed because the viewer relies entirely on the text to understand both dialogue and audio cues. Captioned media for the deaf or hard of hearing often needs to keep up with the pace of dialogue and additional non-verbal sounds. As a result, captions may be timed closer to 250-300 WPM, especially in dialogue-heavy scenes.

   For example, in a scene where multiple characters speak quickly, captions need to reflect every spoken word and sound in real-time. The viewer must process all of this information without the aid of audio, requiring a higher reading speed. In these cases, maintaining a reading speed closer to 250-300 WPM ensures that the text keeps up with the content.

4. Simplification in Subtitling: Subtitles often condense spoken language to account for slower reading speeds. For instance, a 10-word sentence spoken in natural dialogue might be shortened to a simpler 6-word version in subtitles. This helps ensure that viewers have enough time to read without being overwhelmed, even at a lower reading speed. In contrast, captions need to present every word, as they aim to replicate the audio as accurately as possible.