---
{
  "title": "Audio translation and live captions: plan for distinct needs",
  "description": "Distinguish translated speech, live captions and transcripts so you can define audience needs and commission the right services without assuming a rack feature.",
  "date": "2026-10-24",
  "language": "en",
  "canonical": "https://uni-translate.fr/en/blog/audio-translation-live-captions/"
}
---

# Audio translation and live captions: plan for distinct needs

Audio translation lets participants listen in another language; captions and transcripts address distinct reading uses. Collect these needs separately, then arrange the service, display and tests each requires. The public Uni-Translate rack capabilities describe speech translation and do not announce a captioning feature, so text provision needs its own confirmed scope.

![A headset and display suggest two forms of attention around the same event.](https://uni-translate.fr/ascii-art/svg/languages-audio-and-display.svg)

## Describe what the participant needs to receive {#besoin}
Replace a general request to “make the conference accessible” with concrete questions: does someone need to listen in another language, read during a presentation or consult a text afterwards? One person may request several options. Do not require participants to choose a technology name to express a need. Say who receives these requests and until when the team can adjust its arrangements and the practical information that participants receive before attending the session.

## Distinguish the deliverables {#livrables}
In its [media planning guidance](https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/planning/), W3C distinguishes captions from transcripts. For your event, ask the provider to describe the exact deliverable: text displayed during the session, translated text, an edited document afterwards or an audio stream to listen to. Specify the language of each item and when it will be available. This list prevents a quotation mentioning “translation” from being understood as automatically including on-screen text or a written account of proceedings.

## Build two technical paths {#parcours}
The [rack specifications](https://uni-translate.fr/en/specifications/) describe an audio input and four jack outputs for translated languages. They do not announce captioning. If live text is requested, have the relevant provider define its production, display and operation separately. For audio, check the path described in the [headsets and receivers guide](https://uni-translate.fr/en/blog/translation-headsets-receivers/). One service may work while the other remains unavailable, so test both paths all the way to participants rather than stopping at a working output.

![Listening and reading involve two paths to prepare and check separately.](https://uni-translate.fr/ascii-art/svg/voice-and-captions.svg)

## A fictional briefing example {#exemple}
In a fictional event, a day includes translated speech for a plenary and a text display requested by several registrants. The organiser assigns an owner to each service, then provides a test position where someone actually listens and reads. A written final account is a further request to confirm, rather than a file assumed to be ready at closing time. This example describes a possible arrangement; it is neither a customer reference nor a certification of the setup.

## Acceptance checklist with participants {#checklist}
Explain in the invitation what will be provided, where to find it and how to report a difficulty. Try the service under room conditions, then record needs that remain uncovered. A translation service alone does not establish that the entire event is accessible or that every participant’s requirements have been met.

- Confirm audio and text languages separately.
- Assign production, display and editing responsibilities.
- Test readability and listening from the intended positions.
- Communicate uncovered needs before the session.
- Explicitly include or exclude post-event deliverables from the agreed scope.

## Sources and useful links

- [Rack specifications](https://uni-translate.fr/en/specifications/)
- [Rack rental](https://uni-translate.fr/en/rent-rack/)
- [W3C | Planning Audio and Video Media](https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/planning/)

## Read next

- [Which languages should your conference offer?](https://uni-translate.fr/en/blog/choose-conference-languages/)
- [Prepare translation headsets and receivers for participants](https://uni-translate.fr/en/blog/translation-headsets-receivers/)
- [What brief should you send for a conference translation quote?](https://uni-translate.fr/en/blog/conference-translation-event-brief/)

By Uni-Translate. Written with AI assistance using public product specifications and documented sources.