Writing Speech-Manner Cues in Captions
Writing Speech-Manner Cues in Captions records a distinct W3C-supported caption-writing task while keeping implementation mechanics and unsupported house-style rules outside the guidance.
W3C WAI allows relevant information about the manner of speech to be included when it helps users understand the spoken content.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Include only cues that matter to understanding; do not overload captions with subjective interpretation or unnecessary performance commentary.
Further guidance
Content
Add a concise cue for a meaningful delivery characteristic, such as a manner of speaking that changes how the line is understood.
Practical Application
Include a concise cue for manner of speech when it materially changes meaning or interpretation, such as whispering, shouting, or sarcasm that cannot otherwise be understood from the words alone.
Purpose
A relevant speech-manner cue can communicate audible information that would otherwise be lost to a caption reader.
Reader Check
Would omitting the manner cue remove information a hearing viewer receives and that is needed to understand the line?
Worked Example
Caption “[whispering] Don’t turn around” when the whisper is important to the scene, but do not add manner labels to ordinary speech that needs no extra explanation.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Transcribing Audio to Text — W3C WAI (opens in a new tab)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative · W3C WAI guidance for identifying speakers and representing relevant audio information in transcripts and captions.