KoboToolbox SRT Subtitle Translation

KoboToolbox SRT Subtitle Translation

Overview

This skill extends the kobo-translation skill with specialized guidelines for translating video subtitles in SRT format. All base translation rules still apply, but with additional considerations for on-screen readability, spoken language patterns, and subtitle timing constraints.

🔴 CRITICAL: This skill is for SUBTITLE TRANSLATION ONLY

When translating SRT files:

• The source is spoken language from video
• Translation must be concise and readable on screen
• All brand terminology rules still apply
• Translation is done in chunks to preserve context while avoiding hallucinations

Subtitle Translation Principles

1. Inherit All Base Rules

✅ ALL rules from the main kobo-translation skill apply, including:

• Brand terminology (servers, Question Library, Formbuilder, etc.)
• UI terminology and capitalization
• Gender-inclusive language
• Formality levels (vous/​tu, usted/​tú)
• Technical term handling

Before translating subtitles:

1. Read brand-terminology.md - Server names, Question Library, etc.
2. Read ui-terminology.md - Button names, capitalization
3. Apply all base translation principles

2. Subtitle-Specific Adaptations

While maintaining base rules, adapt for subtitle constraints:

Character Limits:

• Ideal: 35-42 characters per line
• Maximum: 50 characters per line
• Lines per subtitle: Maximum 2 lines

Conciseness:

• Spoken language is naturally more verbose than written
• Compress without losing meaning
• Remove unnecessary filler words ("um", "you know", "like")
• Combine ideas when possible

Readability:

• Break long sentences at natural pauses
• Prioritize comprehension over literal translation
• Match subtitle timing to speech rhythm

3. Technical Terms in Subtitles

CRITICAL RULE: XLSForm terms in subtitles are ENGLISH ONLY

Unlike written documentation, subtitles have character limits and timing constraints.

Why?

• Adding translations doubles character count
• Subtitles must sync with what's shown on screen
• Viewers see the English term in the interface

Brand terms still follow base rules:

• ✅ "Servidor Global" (not "de KoboToolbox")
• ✅ "La bibliothèque de questions" (capital L)
• ✅ "Formbuilder" can be translated in speech context

4. Context-Aware Chunked Translation

SRT files are translated in chunks (typically 20-30 subtitles at a time) to:

• Maintain overall context and narrative flow
• Avoid hallucinations from large context windows
• Preserve terminology consistency

Each chunk includes:

• Previous context: Last 3 subtitles from previous chunk (for continuity)
• Current subtitles: 20-30 subtitles to translate
• Next context: First 3 subtitles from next chunk (for flow)

Translation approach:

• Consider the previous context for continuity
• Translate current subtitles maintaining natural flow
• Be aware of upcoming context to maintain coherence
• Ensure technical terms remain consistent across chunks

Subtitle Translation Guidelines

Character Limit Strategies

When translation is too long:

1. Compress naturally:

   ❌ "You're going to need to click on the NEW button"
   ✅ "Click on NEW"
   

2. Use shorter synonyms:

   ❌ "Vous allez devoir cliquer sur le bouton NOUVEAU"
   ✅ "Cliquez sur NOUVEAU"
   

3. Split across subtitles if needed:

   Subtitle 1: "Para crear un nuevo formulario,"
   Subtitle 2: "haz clic en NUEVO"
   

4. Never sacrifice accuracy:

   • Keep brand terms exact
   • Keep UI element names exact
   • If you must choose: accuracy > brevity

Spoken Language Patterns

Adapt written conventions for speech:

Spanish - Informal tone matches speech:

• ✅ "Ahora vas a ver" (Now you'll see)
• ✅ "Haz clic aquí" (Click here)
• ✅ "Fíjate en esto" (Notice this)

French - Formal but conversational:

• ✅ "Vous allez voir" (You'll see)
• ✅ "Cliquez ici" (Click here)
• ✅ "Remarquez ceci" (Notice this)

Timing Awareness

Consider subtitle duration:

• Short subtitles (<2 seconds): Must be very concise
• Medium subtitles (2-4 seconds): Standard translation
• Long subtitles (>4 seconds): Can be more complete

Reading speed:

• Average: 15-20 characters per second
• Adjust translation length to subtitle duration
• Never exceed what can be read in the time shown

Natural Speech Flow

Maintain conversational feel:

✅ GOOD (natural):
"Let's create a new form.
Click on NEW at the top."

❌ BAD (too formal):
"We shall proceed to create a new form.
Navigate to the NEW button located at the top of the interface."

Contractions are acceptable in subtitles:

• EN: "you'll", "it's", "we're"
• ES: Already naturally contracted
• FR: "c'est", "vous allez" → "vous aurez" (when natural)

Cross-Chunk Consistency

When translating chunks:

1. Terminology consistency:

   • If chunk 1 uses "formulario" don't switch to "forma" in chunk 2
   • Track how you translate recurring terms

2. Narrative flow:

   • Check previous context before translating
   • Ensure smooth transition from previous chunk
   • Maintain speaker's tone and style

3. Technical accuracy:

   • Brand terms must be consistent across all chunks
   • UI elements must match exactly across entire subtitle file

Common Subtitle Translation Patterns

Tutorial/​Educational Content

Pattern: Instruction → Action → Result

English subtitles:
[1] "Now we'll add a new question to our form."
[2] "Click on the plus icon here."
[3] "And you'll see the question types appear."

Spanish subtitles:
[1] "Ahora agregaremos una nueva pregunta."
[2] "Haz clic en el ícono de más aquí."
[3] "Y verás aparecer los tipos de pregunta."

French subtitles:
[1] "Nous allons ajouter une nouvelle question."
[2] "Cliquez sur l'icône plus ici."
[3] "Vous verrez apparaître les types de question."

Key observations:

• Compressed but complete
• Maintains instructional flow
• UI element names preserved
• Natural spoken language

Demonstrative Content

Pattern: Showing → Explaining

English:
[10] "Here in the Question Library,"
[11] "you can see all the template questions"
[12] "that are available for your project."

Spanish:
[10] "Aquí en La biblioteca de preguntas,"
[11] "puedes ver todas las preguntas plantilla"
[12] "disponibles para tu proyecto."

French:
[10] "Ici dans La bibliothèque de questions,"
[11] "vous pouvez voir toutes les questions types"
[12] "disponibles pour votre projet."

Key observations:

• "Question Library" → "La biblioteca de preguntas" / "La bibliothèque de questions" (capital L!)
• Conversational but informative
• Pronouns match base skill rules (tú/​vous)

Technical Walkthrough

Pattern: Technical term → Usage

English:
[25] "In the list_name column,"
[26] "enter the name of your list."
[27] "This connects your cascading select."

Spanish:
[25] "En la columna list_name,"
[26] "escribe el nombre de tu lista."
[27] "Esto conecta tu cascading select."

French:
[25] "Dans la colonne list_name,"
[26] "saisissez le nom de votre liste."
[27] "Cela connecte votre cascading select."

Key observations:

• XLSForm terms stay in English: "list_name", "cascading select"
• No parenthetical translations (unlike documentation)
• Character limits respected
• Natural flow maintained

Subtitle Quality Checklist

Before finalizing subtitle translation:

🚨 Brand & Terminology (inherited from base skill):

• All server names use EXACT translations with correct articles
• "Question Library" has capital L in target language
• Formbuilder translated appropriately for context
• UI elements match official translations exactly
• XLSForm technical terms kept in English (no translations)

📏 Subtitle-Specific:

• All subtitles under 50 characters per line (35-42 ideal)
• Maximum 2 lines per subtitle
• Natural spoken language (not overly formal)
• Maintains conversational flow
• Reads naturally at normal speed
• Compressed appropriately without losing meaning

🔄 Context & Consistency:

• Terminology consistent across all chunks
• Natural transitions between chunks
• Speaker's tone maintained throughout
• No terminology drift in longer videos

🎯 Language-Specific:

• Spanish: Informal tú throughout, gender-inclusive
• French: Formal vous throughout, gender markers
• Formality matches base skill rules

⏱️ Timing (if reviewing with video):

• Subtitles match speech timing
• Readable in time shown on screen
• Natural reading pace maintained

Subtitle vs Documentation: Key Differences

Error Examples for Subtitles

Example 1: Too Long

❌ WRONG (57 characters, too formal):

[5] "Vous devez maintenant naviguer vers la section des formulaires"

✅ CORRECT (28 characters, natural):

[5] "Allez à la section FORMULAIRES"

Example 2: Technical Terms

❌ WRONG (added translation, too long):

[12] "Dans list_name (nom de la liste)"

✅ CORRECT (English only, fits):

[12] "Dans la colonne list_name"

Example 3: Brand Term Error

❌ WRONG (missing article):

[8] "Ouvrez bibliothèque de questions"

✅ CORRECT (capital L article):

[8] "Ouvrez La bibliothèque de questions"

Example 4: Overly Literal

❌ WRONG (too literal, awkward):

[15] "Procederemos a hacer clic en el botón"

✅ CORRECT (natural spoken language):

[15] "Haremos clic en el botón"

OR EVEN BETTER:

[15] "Haz clic en el botón"

Chunked Translation Best Practices

Managing Context Windows

When translating a chunk:

1. Read previous context (last 3 subtitles)

   • Note any terminology used
   • Understand narrative position
   • Check speaker's tone

2. Translate current chunk (20-30 subtitles)

   • Maintain consistency with previous
   • Keep natural flow
   • Apply all base rules

3. Check next context (first 3 subtitles)

   • Ensure your translation leads naturally into next section
   • Verify no awkward transitions

Handling Repeated Terms

If a term appears across chunks:

• First mention in video → Follow first reference rules if applicable
• Subsequent mentions → Use shortened form consistently
• Track your translations → Don't vary terminology

Example across chunks:

Chunk 1:
[5] "This is the KoboToolbox Formbuilder"
[5] "C'est l'interface de création de formulaires KoboToolbox"

Chunk 3:
[45] "Back in the Formbuilder..."
[45] "De retour dans l'interface de création..."

Maintaining Voice

Keep the instructor's voice consistent:

• If they're casual and friendly → Keep that tone
• If they're more formal → Maintain formality
• If they use analogies → Translate analogies naturally
• If they emphasize certain words → Maintain emphasis

Notes

Reference documents: All base translation reference documents apply:

• brand-terminology.md
• ui-terminology.md
• form-building-terms.md
• question-types.md
• data-collection-terms.md

Additional considerations:

• Subtitle translation may need to prioritize on-screen readability over perfect literal translation
• When in doubt, test by reading subtitle aloud at normal speed
• Character limits are HARD limits for readability

Working document: This skill is an extension of the base kobo-translation skill. All base rules apply unless explicitly overridden here for subtitle-specific needs.