By Colin Cantlie
Many people use the word “captioning,” but what does that mean? Consumers tend to call any text communication process “captioning,” not knowing the true definition of captioning. Nor do they care: all they want is access to what is being said, whether that is in a meeting or on the evening news. Providers of these services, though, call one CART and another captioning. So, what is the difference?
I wear hearing aids and use assistive listening devices, and still I miss so much in daily communication. Over the years, I have learned about the importance of accessible communication. I cannot and dare not depend on my hearing equipment to provide me the accuracy of the discussion during a meeting or the dialogue of television and movies. In my case, I use text communications to ensure full delivery of discussions during meetings and when viewing television and movies.
Hearing loss can mean so much more than reduced volume; it involves sound discrimination (dialects and accents), sound thresholds (sound intensity), and frequency loss, and, for some, the complete absence of sound. Another obstacle to understanding is that people tend to talk quickly, especially those who are under 40. A reduced function in hearing can produce feelings of isolation from family and friends, as well as community and society at large. So, what do I need to effectively communicate (or is it effectively participate)? Effective, accessible communication is a big part of what I need to live my life on my own terms.
What is wrong with calling it all captioning? Well, to the service provider a lot. The correct word helps them know the type of environment in which the text communication is required. So, let’s define captioning, CART, and introduce realtime.
Captioning is the immediate translation of the spoken word to written in conjunction with a video signal.
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is a process of converting speech into text through a third party. A trained operator uses a keyboard or stenographic machine to transcribe spoken speech into written text, and it is transmitted onto a viewing device to be used as a communication access vehicle. Another emerging method is stenomask technology or voice-writing. The voice-writer uses speech recognition software to instantly translate the audible speech into written text.
The simplest way to differenciate between captioning and CART is
Captioning CART
Video + Realtime text only, no video
(CART reporters assist people with hearing loss by translating spoken words into text, giving full access to the audible communications.)
Realtime is the instantaneous translation of the spoken word into the written word. Realtime reporting is used in a variety of industries, and can be used to produce transcripts in the legal arena, provide captions for live television, and provide access to a wide variety of events ranging from conferences and meetings to Web broadcasts. In all cases, realtime reporters (captioning, CART, and court reporting) use steno machines to provide instant speech to text translation on visual display units, television screens/monitors, or computer screens as the proceeding occurs. Some may provide transcripts on paper after the event.
Remote CART is done by trained operator at a remote location. A voice connection such as a telephone, cell phone, or mobile phone, or a computer microphone is used to send the voice to the CART provider, and the text is transmitted back over a modem, Internet, or other data connection.
Various captioning terms are used to describe the text communication environment – and, again, many consumers are unaware of the technical side of captioning and may prefer to use “captioning” as a catch-all phrase for text communication. To assist in understanding the various levels of text communication, the following glossary may be beneficial.
Realtime Captioning is the method of captioning where captions are simultaneously prepared and transmitted at time of origination by specially trained real-time captioners using a stenotype machine.
Closed Captioning (CC) only appears with the use of a decoder. The decoder may be either attached to a television, but televisions made after July 1993 are required to have a built-in decoder. Closed captioning allows caption users to enjoy the same broadcast and recorded video materials that other television viewers enjoy. The TV converter may have a button with the letters “cc” that, when pushed, either turns on or off the captioning capability.
Open Captioning is visible without using a set-top decoder or a TV with a built-in decoder chip. When a video is “open captioned,” the captions are permanently part of the picture.
Live-display Captioning is used when an accurate script and/or videotape is available in advance. The text of the program is transcribed and stored on a computer disk. At time of air, the captioner manually displays the already-prepared captions. Usually live-display captions are roll-up, so the captioner displays them line-by-line, as much in sync with the program audio as possible.
Off-line Captioning is the preparation of captions for recorded programming so that, at time of air or tape playback, the captions are a part of the videotape. Captions appear to "pop-on" and are typically placed in the upper and lower third of the television screen.
Pop-On Captions are when a phrase or sentence appears on the screen all at once – not line by line -- and stays on the screen for a few seconds, usually in sync with the audio or is replaced by another full caption. Pop-on captions are used for most off-line captioning.
On-line Captioning is provided at the time of program origination. "Real-time," "live-display," and a combination of the two are methods of on-line captioning. On-line captioning is most frequently used for live programs. Captions appear to "roll up" from the bottom of the screen, usually two or three lines of text in total.
Roll-up Captions roll on and off the screen in a continuous motion. A maximum of four lines of text can appear at one time. As a new line comes along, it appears on the bottom line and pushes the other lines on the screen up. Roll-up captions are used for most on-line captioning.
Television broadcast captioners/providers use realtime reporting technology to provide access to people with hearing loss to see what is being said on live television broadcasts such as news, emergency broadcasts, sporting events, and so forth.
Internet information (or Webcast) reporters provide realtime reporting of meetings, press conferences, and other Internet events, while simultaneously transmitting the transcripts to computers world-wide.
All these terms can be confusing. So, what’s the problem? Well, using the wrong term can cause misunderstanding, frustration, and miscommunication. Using the wrong terms could result in erroneous bookings and unqualified personnel showing up to fill assignments. The end result for consumers is that they will not have the service they need.
The question I ask is, why can’t we call it all captioning and note the environment? For example, meeting captioning, TV captioning, court captioning, or Internet captioning. From the consumer’s sector, it would make understanding of the technology easier; but what will it do for the professional sector? Will it be a case of the “basic resistant to change” concept or could it mean acceptance and compromise making it understandable for all users?
The jury is still out on terminology but something must be done to better connect the consumer with the professional. In the end, it doesn’t really matter what terminology is used as long as the correct technology is available when it is needed. Ultimately, we must all come to an agreement to call the technology something that is understood by all parties.
Acknowledgements:
Deanna Baker, FAPR, RMR, Provider and Chair Captioning Community of Interest
Karen Finkelstein, Director of Education and School Development, NCRA
Alan Peacock, RMR,CRR,CBC,CCP
National Captioning Institute
Wikipedia
Colin Cantlie is member of NCRA’s Captioning Community of Interest, where he serves as a consumer advocate.