Language Support for a Nationally Syndicated TV Show: Case Study

Client Industry:
Entertainment (TV)

Project Overview:
Since 2011, Paragon has provided ongoing language support for a popular nationally syndicated TV show. The show, a blend of police procedural drama and military action, relies on Paragon to ensure flawless foreign-language dialogue across multiple languages. Our comprehensive services include script translation, transliteration, recording, and dialect coaching in languages ranging from Arabic and Chechen to Latin and Welsh.

Languages Involved:
Arabic, Chechen, Chinese, Danish, English dialects, Farsi, French, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Romani, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Welsh

Project Duration:
Ongoing since 2011

The Challenge:

The TV show’s storyline frequently features foreign languages, dialects, and cultures as central elements to the plot. Although the Client’s leading actors are highly skilled, they lacked familiarity with many of the required languages and dialects, including obscure ones like Chechen, Romani, and Texan English. The challenge was to ensure the authenticity of these languages within the show’s scenes, making them believable for both English and non-English-speaking audiences. The Client needed expert linguistic support, from script development to on-set dialect coaching, to maintain the show’s high level of realism.

The Solution:

Paragon became a crucial partner in the Client’s production process, seamlessly integrating linguistic services at multiple stages of the workflow. Our approach included the following key steps:

1. Script Translation and Cultural Adaptation:
   Paragon’s language specialists worked with the show’s writers to identify sections of the script that required translation and adaptation. We performed a cultural and linguistic analysis to ensure that the writer’s message was accurately conveyed and culturally relevant in each target language. This step was crucial for maintaining the integrity and impact of the plot.
   

2. Transliteration and Phonological Transcription:
   Once the foreign-language dialogue was finalized, Paragon’s linguists transliterated the lines from scripts using non-Latin alphabets, such as Arabic and Cyrillic, into English letters and phonetic pronunciations. This allowed the actors to begin practicing their lines even before the filming process.
   

3. Audio Recordings for Reference:
   To help the actors master the pronunciation of complex lines, Paragon provided audio recordings in the target languages, giving the acting talent a reference point to perfect their delivery.
   

4. On-Set Dialect Coaching:
   During filming, Paragon sent expert dialect coaches to the set, providing real-time guidance on pronunciation and language delivery. Our coaches were highly experienced, offering corrections and suggestions to ensure that the actors captured the correct tone, emotion, and mood of the scene, all while staying true to the language. Our coaches were also trained to handle last-minute script changes and offer cultural advice where needed.
   

5. Authentic Language Delivery:
   Despite the actors speaking primarily Standard American English, Paragon’s support ensured that their portrayal of foreign-language speakers was indistinguishable from native fluency. Viewers, no matter where they were from, would never know that the actors didn’t actually speak the languages fluently.

The Results:

Paragon’s ongoing collaboration with the Client has played a key role in maintaining the show’s authenticity and high production value. By providing accurate translations, transliterations, and expert coaching, we helped create compelling and realistic scenes in multiple languages, contributing to the overall success of the show.

Our ability to seamlessly integrate into the production process, adapt to the evolving needs of the storyline, and ensure language accuracy has earned us the Client’s continued trust. Paragon’s language expertise has enhanced the viewer experience, making the show’s portrayal of foreign languages both convincing and captivating.

Conclusion:

This case study highlights Paragon’s comprehensive language support services for a nationally syndicated TV show, demonstrating our ability to deliver high-quality translations, transliterations, and dialect coaching across a wide range of languages and dialects. Our work ensures that every scene is as linguistically accurate as it is emotionally impactful, contributing to the show’s ongoing success and authenticity.