Historical Context
Closed captioning has its roots in the early 1970s. It was initially developed as a way to make television programs accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The first closed-captioned television program aired on PBS in the United States in 1972. As technology advanced, closed captioning became more widespread and sophisticated, eventually becoming a standard feature in most television programming and digital media.
Types of Closed Captioning
Real-Time Captioning
Real-time captioning is used for live broadcasts such as news programs, sports events, and live webinars. It requires stenographers or automated software to transcribe spoken words in real-time.
Offline Captioning
Offline captioning is pre-recorded and added to the video before it’s made available to the public. This is common for movies, TV shows, and online educational content.
Open Captions
Unlike closed captions that can be turned on or off by the user, open captions are always visible and cannot be hidden.
Key Events in Closed Captioning History
- 1972: First closed-captioned television program airs on PBS.
- 1980: Introduction of the first consumer decoders for closed captioning.
- 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed into law, promoting accessibility, including media captioning.
- 2006: FCC mandates captioning for digital television.
- 2010: 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) signed into law, requiring online videos to have closed captions.
Importance of Closed Captioning
Accessibility
Closed captioning plays a crucial role in making media accessible to people with hearing impairments.
Comprehension
It helps non-native speakers understand the content better and aids in noisy environments where audio may not be clear.
Legal Compliance
Many regions have laws requiring closed captioning for broadcast and online content.
Examples of Closed Captioning Usage
- Television Shows: Network and cable TV shows include closed captioning to comply with legal standards.
- Streaming Services: Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer closed captions for their entire catalog.
- Educational Videos: Online courses and educational platforms provide closed captions to ensure inclusivity.
Considerations for Effective Closed Captioning
- Accuracy: Ensuring that the text matches the spoken words exactly.
- Timing: Captions should appear and disappear in sync with the audio.
- Placement: Positioning captions so they do not obscure important visual content.
Related Terms
- Subtitles: Text that translates or transcribes the spoken content of a video. Unlike closed captions, subtitles do not usually include non-verbal sounds.
- Audio Descriptions: Narration added to describe significant visual details for visually impaired viewers.
- Transcription: The process of converting spoken words into written text.
Comparisons
| Feature | Closed Captioning | Subtitles |
|---|---|---|
| Non-verbal Sounds | Included | Not Included |
| User Control | User can toggle | Often fixed on |
| Primary Use | Accessibility | Translation |
Interesting Facts
- The closed captioning symbol is a “CC” inside a television screen outline.
- Early closed captioning required a separate decoder box, which later became integrated into television sets.
Inspirational Stories
Rex Banks, an advocate for the deaf community, tirelessly worked to promote closed captioning services, ensuring millions of people could enjoy media content equally.
Famous Quotes
“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.” — Tim Berners-Lee
Proverbs and Clichés
- “A picture is worth a thousand words, but closed captions make it accessible to all.”
Expressions
- Turn on the captions: Commonly used when enabling closed captioning on a device.
Jargon and Slang
- CC: Common abbreviation for closed captioning.
- Stenocaptioner: A person who uses a stenotype machine for real-time captioning.
FAQs
What is closed captioning?
How is closed captioning different from subtitles?
References
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)
Final Summary
Closed captioning is a vital tool for making media accessible to everyone, especially the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Its importance extends beyond accessibility, aiding comprehension and ensuring legal compliance. From its humble beginnings in the 1970s to its ubiquitous presence today, closed captioning continues to evolve, providing essential benefits to a diverse audience.
