Decision and verification worksheet
Creator Lane | Reviewed October 24, 2026
https://creatorlanehq.com/blog/translated-subtitles-vs-ai-dubbing

TRANSLATED SUBTITLES VS AI DUBBING: CHOOSE THE LOCALIZATION DELIVERABLE
Original Creator Lane decision worksheet | 2026-10-24

TASK
Audience / project:
Required outcome:
Current workflow and its specific limitation:
Options actually available without a new purchase:
Source material and permission:

DECISION QUESTIONS
When are subtitles sufficient?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

When does dubbing deserve consideration?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

Why should translation come before voice production?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

What should the audio review cover?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:

How should localized versions be organized?
Your evidence / answer:
Unresolved detail / owner:


PRACTICE BRIEF
Localize one short instruction with a number and a caution. First approve a written translation. Create subtitles, and only if authorized, evaluate a dubbed version. Ask a fluent reviewer whether both preserve the same instruction and warning. Compare the additional production effort against the audience benefit.

ACCEPTANCE CHECKS
[ ] Approve translation before audio
Evidence:
[ ] Confirm voice permissions
Evidence:
[ ] Version all localized derivatives
Evidence:

RESULT LOG
Option / exact version / account or interface:
Date / source URLs checked:
Input / settings / output version:
What was actually tested (leave blank if not tested):
Accepted results / failures / correction time:
Actual charges, if any (do not estimate as measured):
Privacy / permissions / delivery checks:
Decision and main limitation:
Next action / owner:
Recheck trigger:

REFERENCES
Premiere caption translation: https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere/desktop/add-text-images/insert-captions/translate-captions.html
W3C caption guidance: https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/captions/
ElevenLabs speech-to-text API: https://elevenlabs.io/docs/api-reference/speech-to-text/convert

You may adapt this original worksheet for personal and client work. Third-party materials retain their own licences.