top of page

Voiceovers Translated

Voice over artist, Voice Artist, Voice Talent, Voice Actor, and VO are all title variations of our profession.


I often get asked what exactly is voiceover? I usually describe it as “when you hear my voice but can’t see my face.” Sometimes I describe Voiceover as what I do and Voice Actor as what I am. But using the internet to find work opportunities is another thing entirely! When searching is it one-word 'voiceover', or two 'voice over', or is it hyphenated 'voice-over'? So even in our native language, things can get lost in translation. When seeking business opportunities use all of them. Mix and match and see what you can find.


Voice Actor in different Languages

So what is a ‘Voice Actor’ called in other languages? How does it translate? And is there a business opportunity there? Here are a dozen that seemed to get to the essence of what being a voice actor encompasses:


Basque: ahots-aktorea Croation: glasovni glumac Czech: dabér

Dutch: stemacteur French: Acteur de doublage German : sychronsprecher

Latin: vox histrio Portuguese: dublador Spanish: actor de voz

Tongan: leʻo ʻo e leʻo Vietnamese: Diễn viên lồng tiếng

Korean: 성우 (this really looks like someone standing at a microphone)


Voiceovers in different Languages

In English, the word ‘Narration’ can also be used to mean voiceovers and in Spanish, a similiar word 'narración' is used. Many countries use the English equivalent of voice over & voice-over (ie. Danish, Dutch, German, & Filipino) but here are some other translations that I've seen international casters use when casting voiceovers:

French: Voix-off Swedish: dubbning Finnish: Selostus Polish: lector Welsh: Troslais


Opening your voice up to an International Market

There is no doubt voice acting is a global market. The world is our client. These foreign variations (and many more) could also lead to a new way of looking for potential clients and leads. Try something like google.fr and use the term Voix-off Casting ... a whole new world will open up!


And finally in a wonderfully serendipitous moment, here's one for the Voiceover Calendar: World Voice Day is April 16th! Get your # ready!


To keep up with Ian's blogs & news, Subscribe Here.

 
Ian Russell

Ian Russell is a British Voiceover Artist specializing in commercial voice over, narration, video game, character voices, animation and more. He is a frequent guest speaker on conference panels and podcasts, sharing knowledge about voice over. Read More >>

Comments


bottom of page