Captions are a text version of the audio in video content. They are synchronized to match the actions on screen and words being spoken. Captions are essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but they can also be beneficial for people who are learning a new language, people who are watching videos in a noisy environment, or people who simply prefer to read along with the audio.
Captions can be generated in a variety of ways, including by human transcriptionists, by automated speech recognition software, or by a combination of the two. The quality of captions can vary depending on the method used to generate them and the skills of the transcriptionists or software.
The benefits of captions go beyond making video content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions can also help to improve comprehension for people who are watching videos in a noisy environment or who are learning a new language. Captions can also help to keep viewers engaged with the video, as they provide a visual cue that can help to keep people’s attention focused on the screen.