Writing & StyleStyle guide

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.

Quick answer

W3C WAI allows relevant information about the manner of speech to be included when it helps users understand the spoken content.

Key details

Core IssueW3C WAI allows relevant information about the manner of speech to be included when it helps users understand the spoken content.
Registerweb accessibility and interface content

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.

Purpose

A relevant speech-manner cue can communicate audible information that would otherwise be lost to a caption reader.

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.

  1. 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.

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