Bespoke Lab: Instructions & Guidelines

Please read the instructions carefully before you begin your test.

[Outline of Test]
The test is made up of 3 parts. You must complete all 3 parts of the test.
1. Part 1: Grammar & Vocabulary (Multiple Choice - 15 Questions)
2. Part 2: Idioms & Phrases (Multiple Choice - 10 Questions)
3. Part 3: Subtitle Translation Test (6 min 30 secs)
● Play the video and fill in your translations in the corresponding timecodes in your
Answer Sheet (the area marked yellow).
● The video is made up of 4 different clips. A short description of each clip is given
in the Answer Sheet.
i. Drama
ii. Documentary
iii. Historical Drama
iv. Variety Show

[Subtitle Guidelines]
1. Preserve the original intent of the content:
a) Instead of word for word translations, we’re looking for translations that can
localize the dialogue into the target language.
b) Match the tone of the original content.
c) Stay true to content but steer away from awkward sentences. It may make sense
in one language but if directly translated, it’d be awkward in another language.

2. Line Treatment: 2 lines maximum per cell

3. Character Limit: 16 characters per line

4. 2 speaker/Dual speaker:
Use an English hyphen without a space to indicate 2 speakers in one subtitle event.

5. Continuity
Do not use ellipses or dashes when an ongoing sentence is split between two or more
subtitles.
ex) Cell 1 她过来这里告诉我
Cell 2 她会回来
 Use ellipsis to indicate a long pause or an abrupt interruption.
ex) Cell 1 –但你说⋯
Cell 2 –我知道他说什么

ex) Cell 1 –今天的天气很⋯

Cell 2 –她很漂亮

Use ellipsis without a space to indicate a subtitle is starting mid-sentence.

ex) Cell 1 ⋯很有意思

6. All plot pertinent dialogue and on-screen text needs to be translated. Forced Narratives
should be in Chinese parentheses
a) On-screen texts are texts that appear on-screen such as text messages, news
headlines, signs, billboards, etc.
b) On-screen text should be included only if plot pertinent.
c) If there is an overlap of dialogue and on-screen text, then precedence should be
given to the one that is most plot pertinent.

7. Punctuation
Do not use commas or periods. Use one single space instead.
Question marks are required to indicate questions.
Only question marks and exclamation marks are allowed at the end of a subtitle/line.

8. Reading speed
Keep in mind that subtitles pop on and off fairly quickly and viewers have a limited time
to read the text before the scene changes. Take this into account when translating.

[To Submit]
Once you have completed your subtitle translation test, please send your Answer Sheet (excel
file) via email to resource@bepsokelab.media

Should you have any questions or issues, please reach out to resource@bespokelab.media.
You are now ready to begin the test. Best of luck.