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Zulu Timed Text Style Guide

This document covers the language specific requirements for Zulu. Please make sure to also review the General Requirements section and related guidelines for comprehensive instructions surrounding timed text deliveries to Netflix.

1. Abbreviations

  • The use of abbreviations should be avoided unless there are space limitations.
  • Abbreviations of personal titles should only be used if they precede a proper noun, e.g. uSlz. (uSolwazi), uDkt. (uDokotela), uMfu. (uMfundisi).
  • When abbreviations need to be used, internationally accepted abbreviations should be used for units of measurement, e.g. m (meter), mm (millimeter), cm (centimeter), km (kilometer), g (gram), kg (kilogram), l (liter).

2. Acronyms

  • Acronyms should be left in their original form but adapted to isiZulu by adding morphemes as appropriate, i.e. the prefix i and hyphen. For example: NATO is i-NATO
  • If an acronym is more than four letters long and is commonly used, it should be capitalized without periods, and the prefixes should be added according to the way they are pronounced in the original version (e.g. UNESCO, UNICEF).
  • Acronyms should be written without periods between the letters: ANC instead of A.N.C, IFP instead of I.F.P, SABC instead of S.A.B.C.

3. Capitalization

  • Use sentence case for subtitles containing dialogue, quoted full sentences, full sentences following a colon, lyrics and verses.
  • Use title case for titles, forms of address, ranks and nicknames before or after a name: uDkt. Mkhize, uNgq. Gumede, uKpt. Sibiya, uMnu. Zondo.
  • When a title, form of address, or rank becomes synonymous with a character's title, if it serves as a substitute to their actual name, and/or if it is used as a nickname, it should be capitalized. Examples: Kapteni, Mphathi, Dokotela, Gogo,
  • Use sentence case for titles, forms of addresses, and ranks when they are offered merely as a character trait or when they define the relation between two characters rather than being a nickname. Examples: nduna, phoyisa, mshayeli.
  • Forms of address used towards family members/friends should not be capitalized. This includes endearments. Example: mzala, malume, mkhulu.
  • Foreign names should be capitalized as per source language.
  • Political movements derived from proper nouns should be capitalized: African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Freedom Party, Azania Movement, etc.
  • Capitalization is only needed after an ellipsis if it is the beginning of a new sentence or when the sentence is incomplete. Example: Yingakho ngicabanga ukuthi bona...Ngiyakuzwa, kodwa ngithi asiyobabuza
  • When an expression such as Jesus, God and Shembe are used with no intended religious sentiment, capitalization is not mandatory in the translation. Example: nkosi yami, msindisi, shembe, etc.

4. Character Limitation

  • 42 characters per line, as per English template.

5. Character Names

  • Do not translate proper names, unless Netflix provides approved translations.
  • Nicknames should only be translated if they convey a specific meaning. Example: Snake Eyes can be translated as Mehlemamba
  • Do not use the Zulu versions of names that appear in content. Align with the spelling in the template/KNP.
    • Example: Gift should not be translated to Sipho.
  • Use language-specific translations for Biblical personalities. Example: Josefa - Joseph, Jakobe - Jacob, Mariya - Mary.
  • Clan names and praises (izithakazelo, izibongo zobukhosi/zobunsizwa) should not be translated.

6. Continuity

  • When including ellipses in subtitles, please use the single smart character U+2026 as opposed to three dots/periods in a row.
  • Do not use ellipses or dashes when an ongoing sentence is split between two or more continuous subtitles.
  • Use an ellipsis to indicate an intentional pause of 2 seconds or more, an intentional suspension, or an abrupt interruption.
  • If the sentence continues in the next subtitle, use an ellipsis at the beginning of the second subtitle if the event is interrupted by an FN, sound effect or another speaker.
  • Sometimes it may be better to move the conjunction to the second subtitle to avoid any ambiguity and to improve readability.
  • When the source template has a word which is cut or interrupted, try and avoid cutting a word in half, and instead cut it off mid-sentence, avoiding any unintended ambiguity whenever possible.
  • Use an ellipsis without a space to indicate that a subtitle is starting mid-sentence. Example: …wamushaya ngenhlanekela.

7. Documentary/Unscripted

  • Only translate a speaker’s title once, the first time the speaker appears.
  • When ongoing dialogue is interrupted by a speaker’s title, use ellipses at the end of the sentence in the subtitle that precedes it and at the beginning of the sentence in the subtitle that follows it.

Subtitle 1 Kulo mdlalo…

Subtitle 2 UMPHATHI

Subtitle 3 …yimi okhulumayo manje.

  • Dialogue in TV/movie clips should only be subtitled if plot-pertinent and if the rights have been granted.
  • News tickers/banners from archive clips do not require subtitles unless plot-pertinent.
  • Avoid going back and forth between italicized and non-italicized subtitles when the speaker is on and off screen.
  • If the speaker is on-camera for at least part of the scene, do not italicize. Leave italics for off-screen narrators.
  • Do not italicize the archival footage when it covers the screen and not seen on a TV or a monitor in the scene.

8. Dual Speakers

  • Use a hyphen without a space if two characters speak in one subtitle with a maximum of one character speaking per line:

-Ufuna ukuwadayisa?

-[Khanyi] Siya, akukho engingakwenza.

  • Text in each line in a dual speaker subtitle must be a contained sentence and should not carry into the preceding or subsequent subtitle. Creating shorter sentences and timing appropriately helps to accommodate this.

9. Font Information

  • Font style: Arial as a generic placeholder for proportional Sans Serif
  • Font size: relative to video resolution and ability to fit 42 characters across the screen
  • Font color: White

10. Foreign Words and Dialogue

  • When creating Zulu FNs, include FNs for Zulu, Xhosa or English. FN everything else.
  • Foreign dialogue should only be translated if the viewer was meant to understand it (i.e. if it was subtitled in the original version).
  • When using foreign words, always verify spelling, accents and punctuation, if applicable.
  • Make sure to use commonly used and accepted translations of words. Examples: ikhompyutha, iphrojekthi, ihhotela, unjiniyela.
  • Use the commonly established translation/transliteration of place names if available. Example: uMgungundlovu - Pietermaritzburg, iKapa – Cape Town.

11. Italics

  • In sections such as a phone conversation where the shot changes regularly between speakers, always ensure that segmentation and timing rules are correctly applied so as to ensure italics are used consistently and correctly.
  • Italicize the following:
    • Titles of books, periodicals, works of art, albums, movies, TV shows, radio shows, video games, etc. (for an episode title in a series, song titles, and newspaper and article headlines use quotation marks)
    • Dialogue that is heard through electronic media, such as a phone, television, or computer, loudspeaker, non-sentient robots, robotic voices or AI, etc. But do not italicize sentient and moving robot characters, and do not italicize if the speaker is merely holding a microphone or a bullhorn on camera (e.g. when an announcement is heard in a stadium, use italics; cut to press box, commentator continues making the announcement on camera, do not use italics)
    • Only use italics when the speaker is not in the scene(s), not merely off-screen or off-camera, behind a door or glass, out of shot, or in another room.
    • Song lyrics when sung, not quoted (if rights have been granted)
    • Narration, unspoken thoughts, inner monologue, and voice-overs.
    • Italicize symbols and punctuation marks that come before or after the italicized part. Example: Lokhu sekuyi-status quo?
  • Do not italicize the following:
    • Do not use italics to indicate emphasis on specific words.
    • Do not italicize archival footage when it is not transmitted from a device in the scene, such as a TV or a monitor.
    • Do not italicize fictional TV footage (e.g. newscast), fictional home videos (e.g. videos recorded by a phone, VHS, etc.) and security footage when they are not transmitted from a device in the scene, such as a TV or a monitor.

12. Line Treatment and Line Breaks

  • Maximum two lines.
  • Text should usually be kept to one line, unless it exceeds the character limitation.
  • Prefer a bottom-heavy pyramid shape for subtitles when multiple line break options present themselves but avoid having just one or two words on the top line.
  • When the text has to be broken into 2 lines, the line should be broken:
    • after punctuation marks
    • before conjunctions
    • before prepositions
  • When the text has to be broken into 2 lines, the line break should not separate:
    • a noun from an article
    • a noun from an adjective
    • a first name from a last name
    • a verb from a subject pronoun
    • a prepositional verb from its preposition
    • a verb from an auxiliary, reflexive pronoun or negation

13. Numbers

  • Numbers should be written numerically, while ensuring audiences read them out in English, but with the appropriate prefix.
  • When writing numbers, the prefixes should be written as letters separated by a hyphen, then followed by the number written using numerals. Example: Abantu abangu-10, izinkomo ezingu-50, amagoli angu-2, imikhaba engu-30, etc.
  • The prefix ng preceded by the numeral is preferred. Note that this ng changes according to noun class.
  • Use a comma as the decimal separator for numbers with four or more digits. Example: 3,500 wama-dollar.
  • Units should be separated from the preceding figure with a non-breaking space, numbers followed by symbols should not be followed by space. Examples: 2000 kg, 15%.
  • Use the currency symbol and ensure it is used consistently throughout the file. Examples: 3000 €, $3000.
  • Ordinal numbers should be written in the normal Zulu style by adjusting the prefix. Examples: (1st) okokuqala, (2nd) okwesibili , (11th) okweshumi nanye, etc.
  • Write the full century/decade to denote decades and centuries. Examples: ‘20s, ‘30s would be Ngeminyaka yo-1920, ngeminyaka yo-1930.
  • For sports, competitions, games or quizzes, always use numerals to display points, scores or timings. Example: Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 Sundowns.

14. On-screen Text

  • Forced narrative titles for on-screen text should only be included if plot-pertinent.
  • When on-screen text and dialogue overlap, precedence should be given to the most plot-pertinent message.
  • Avoid over truncating or severely reducing reading speed in order to include both dialogue and on-screen text.
  • The duration of the FN subtitle should as much as possible mimic the duration of the on-screen text, except for cases where reading speed and/or surrounding dialogue takes precedence.
  • Forced narratives for on-screen text should be in ALL CAPS, except for long passages of on-screen text (e.g. prologue or epilogue), which should use sentence case to improve readability.
  • Never combine a forced narrative with dialogue in the same subtitle.
  • If at all possible, try to avoid interrupting a line of dialogue with a forced narrative.
  • If interrupting the dialogue with a forced narrative cannot be avoided, use an ellipsis at the end of the sentence that precedes it and at the beginning of the one that follows it.
  • Forced narratives that are redundant (e.g. identical to on-screen text or covered in the dialogue) must be deleted when they are on their own.
  • Line breaks for forced narratives should match the on-screen text to increase readability.
  • On-screen text with hashtags can be written in the title case and not translated if they are in Zulu, Xhosa, or English.

15. Poetry

  • Do not use italics.
  • Include quotation marks if someone else's poem is being recited.
  • Do not use quotation marks if a character is reciting their own poem.
  • Follow punctuation and capitalization of the original poem, if available.
  • If not available, use uppercase letters at the start of a new sentence only and commas or periods at the end of lines.
  • Existing translations of poetry and literary works may only be used if they are in public domain and/or clearances have been obtained.
  • Only transcribe and translate plot-pertinent prayers.
  • Raps should be treated as music lyrics.

16. Punctuation

  • Avoid using complex punctuation which could be hard for viewers to follow. For example, avoid using colons and semi-colons and instead use simple, clear sentence structures to aid comprehension.
  • Commas:
    • Commas are unnecessary in simple sentences where there is no risk of ambiguity.
    • Conjunctions such as “futhi” and “kanye” must be replaced with a comma.
    • Avoid commas next to ellipses.
  • Apostrophes:
    • Use the apostrophe in place of a character that was skipped, only when two words are merged into one word in Zulu. An example: umkantsh’ubombvu.
    • Do not use apostrophes to contract phrases and sentences unnecessarily. Example: Ngoba isaba ukuduma kwezulu instead of Ngob’isab’uk’duma kwezulu.
  • Colons:
    • Use colons when separating hours and minutes. Example: 12:30
  • Hyphens:
    • Use a hyphen before any foreign word if there is a prefix.
    • When vowels follow each other and vowel coalescence is not possible. Example: uyakhuluma u-Amahle.
    • Use hyphen after the prefix and before the number written numerically. Example: Kukhona amafilimu angu-25.
    • Use a hyphen when someone emphasizes a word. Example: NJE-NGA-MA-NJE!

17. Quotations

  • Use quotation marks at the start of the quotation and after the last line of the quotation, marking the beginning and end of the quotation.
  • Use double straight quotation marks (" ") without spaces for regular quotations.
  • Use single straight quotation marks (' ') for quotes within quotes.
  • Use quotation marks if a character is seen to be reading aloud.
  • Quotation marks can be used around mispronunciations, malaprops, made-up words and misused words.
  • If an on-screen character does “air quotes” when speaking, please apply quotation marks to the equivalent word in the target language in order to retain creative intent and to help ensure clarity about which word or part of the sentence the air quotes apply to.

18. Reading Speed

  • Adult programs: Up to 20 characters per second for SDH, and 17 CPS for interlingual subtitles.
  • Children’s programs: Up to 17 characters per second.

19. Repetitions

  • Do not translate words or phrases repeated more than once by the same speaker.
  • If the repeated word or phrase is said twice in a row, time subtitles to the audio, but translate only once. Reduplications such as “Kancane kancane” or “Njalo njalo” are exempt from this rule.
  • When a word is repeated a significant number of times, do not omit the repetition completely. “Cha, cha.” is preferred.
  • Do not contradict visual cues. For instance, when a speaker is pointing at multiple things, do not omit repetitions. Example: Ngizothatha lokhu, lokhu, lokhu, nalokhu.
  • Rhymes, poetry and lyrics are excluded from this rule.

20. Segmentation

  • Follow template segmentation as much as possible
  • Break lines and segment grammatically in accordance with the flow of the language whenever possible.

21. Songs

  • Only subtitle plot-pertinent songs if the rights have been granted.
  • Opening and ending theme songs should only be subtitled if clearly plot-pertinent (e.g. for children’s content when the lyrics tell a story) or if instructed by Netflix. Normally, adult programs should not have the opening songs subtitled, except for SDH.
  • Italicize lyrics.
  • Use an uppercase letter at the beginning of each line.
  • Use ellipses when a song continues in the background but is no longer subtitled to give precedence to dialogue.
  • Punctuation: only question marks and exclamation marks should be used at the end of a line - no commas or periods. Commas can be used within the lyric line, if necessary.
  • Album titles should be in italics.
  • Song titles should be in quotes.

22. Titles

  • Titles of published works, existing movies and TV shows: use official or well-known translations. If none are available, leave titles in the original language.

23. Special Instructions

  • All plot-pertinent dialogue should be subtitled and take precedence over background dialogue.
  • Always match the tone and severity of the original content, while remaining relevant to the target audience (i.e. replicate tone, register, class, formality, etc. in the target language in an equivalent way).
  • Syntax must be reformulated for clarity when translating so they are grammatically correct in Zulu.
  • Ensure that words and phrases are written conjunctively, following the Zulu writing systems. Examples: Bayangihlekisa instead of baya ngi hlekisa, ungazokhuluma kakhulu instead of u nga zo khuluma kakhulu.
  • Do not use compound sentences following the English source, instead use short simple sentences in Zulu.
  • Deliberate misspellings and mispronunciations should not be reproduced in the translation unless plot-pertinent.
  • Dialogue must never be censored. Expletives should be rendered as faithfully as possible.
  • If swear words are bleeped out for creative purposes, use four asterisks to indicate the censored word. Example: Uya **** manje.
  • Pay attention to consistency of formal/informal address. Example: Wena/nina.
  • Do not translate onomatopoeias and interjections that the general audience would understand (e.g. ah, oh, huh, hmm, mhm) when used in isolation. However, onomatopoeias and interjections such as “yuck, ouch, yay, hooray” that the target audience might not be familiar with can be translated, especially when working on kids’ content.
  • You may use widely known brand names to localize generic products for creativity and brevity in describing. Example: Coke instead Isiphuzo esibandayo, Rama instead of amafutha okugcoba isinkwa, Chappies instead of Ushuwingamu, etc.

24. Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) Guidelines

  • Include as much of the original content as possible.
  • Do not simplify or water down the original dialogue.
  • Where content has been dubbed into Zulu, please refer to the dubbing script or dubbed audio as the basis for the SDH file and ensure that the two match as much as reading speed and timings allow.
  • Reading speed can be increased to:
    • Adult programs: 20 characters per second
    • Children’s programs: 17 characters per second
  • Truncating the original dialogue should be limited to instances where reading speed and synchronicity to the audio are an issue.
  • For TV/movie clips, all audible lines should be transcribed, if possible. If the audio interferes with dialogue, please give precedence to most plot-pertinent content.
  • All same-language audible songs that do not interfere with dialogue should be subtitled.
  • Use song title identifiers when applicable - song titles should be in quotes: ["Umama" Sjava]
  • Song lyrics should be enclosed with a music note (♪) at the beginning and the end of each subtitle.
  • Add a space between the music note and the preceding or subsequent text.
  • When a dual speaker subtitle appears in a song, e.g. when there is a duet, each line of sung text should have a music note at the beginning and end to clearly indicate that both characters are singing.
  • Use brackets [ ] to enclose speaker IDs or sound effects.
  • Identifiers/sound effects should be all lowercase, except for proper nouns.
  • Use simple present tense in SDH descriptors and labels. For sound descriptors be concise. Example: [umculo odabukisayo] instead of [kudlala umculo odabukisayo].
  • Sound descriptions should be in plain Zulu, accessible and carry meaning instead of dictionary translations of English source description. Examples: [edonsa umoya] instead of [uyabubula], [ehbula] instead of [uyanhlinhla],
  • Only use speaker IDs or sound effects when they cannot be visually identified.
  • When characters are not yet identified, use generic sex identifiers [owesilisa], owesifazane] instead of culturally constructed gender identifiers such as indoda, insizwa, umfazi, umama, etc.
  • Use music descriptions instead of genre labels. Examples: Umculo womgxobanyawo instead of Mbaqanga, umculo wesiginci instead of Maskandi, etc.
  • Plot-pertinent sound effects should always be included unless inferred by the visuals.
  • Subtitle silence if plot-pertinent. For example, when plot-pertinent music ends abruptly.
  • Be detailed and descriptive, use adverbs where appropriate when describing sounds and music, describe voices, speed of speech, volume of sounds.
  • Describe the sounds and audio as opposed to visual elements or actions.
  • Speaker IDs and the corresponding dialogue should ideally be on the same line.
  • When labeling languages in SDH use the English name and also do not add [in / ngesi]. Examples: [Zulu] instead of [ngesiZulu], [Afrikaans] instead of [ngesiBhunu], [Sotho] instead of [ngesiSotho].
  • Never italicize speaker IDs or sound effects, even when the spoken information is italicized, such as in a voice-over. Example: [oxoxayo] Kwasukasukela…

25. References

  • This TTSG takes precedence over language related issues found in other sources.
  • For all language-related issues not covered in this document, please refer to the following references:
    • IsiZulu Soqobo Grade 11
    • IsiZulu Soqobo Grade 12
    • Ukuvamisa Imithetho Yokubhala Nobhalomagama LwesiZulu Lonyaka Wezi-2021
  • Reference the Netflix sensitive and inclusive language guidelines for sensitive words, terminology and spelling when required.

 

Change Log:

2025-04-17

  • 1st version of Zulu Timed Text Style Guide published

 

 

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