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Closed captioning is a text-based representation of the audio in a video. It provides a synchronized transcript of spoken dialogue, sound effects, and other auditory elements, allowing individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to access and understand the content. Closed captions are typically displayed at the bottom of the screen and can be turned on or off by viewers. They play a crucial role in making audiovisual content more inclusive, accessible, and compliant with legal requirements, ensuring that a broader audience, including those with hearing impairments, can enjoy and comprehend the material. Additionally, closed captioning is beneficial in noisy environments or when watching content in a language that is not the viewer’s primary language, as it provides clarity and context to the audio.
Subtitles and closed captioning have distinct purposes and audiences. Subtitles are primarily intended for viewers who can hear the audio but may struggle to understand the language spoken in the video. They offer translations or written versions of the dialogue, often used for foreign-language films or videos with challenging dialogue.
In contrast, closed captioning is specifically designed for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It goes beyond dialogue to include descriptions of auditory elements like music, sound effects, and speaker identification. Closed captions provide a comprehensive textual representation of all audio information, ensuring accessibility for those with hearing impairments. Subtitles focus on language comprehension, while closed captioning aims to make all audio content accessible.