Editors ensure accurate translation from original Asian source language to English and English to other  languages. They see to it that subtitles are correctly formatted and free from grammatical errors. They are also responsible for making sure subtitles sound natural in any language while adding cultural references as needed.

There are 3 Editor positions at Viki: Chief Editor, Translation Editor, and General Editor.

Editing starts with the English editing team who edits the subtitles from the original source Asian language to English. This team normally consists of all three (3) positions - the Chief Editor (CE), the Translation Editor (TE), and the General Editor (GE). After the English editing team is done then teams from other languages translate the edited English subtitles into their own language. With the exception of the Portuguese team which follows the same process as English subtitles.

Other language teams may take a different approach to editing depending on the size and skills of that language’s community. Some other language teams may have one person doing the responsibilities of all Editor positions. Other language teams may create subtitles from scratch while editing at the same time. Whichever the process, there is a shared essential responsibility by Editors in all languages to ensure proper context, understanding, and cultural references across languages.

Requirements for each Editor position:

Editor Position Editor Role Assigned Language Requirement
General Editor (GE) Editor English
  • NSSA English Editor Academy (EEA) GE program graduate preferred*
  • Fluent in English
  • Familiarity with Viki's subtitle guidelines
General Editor (GE) Editor Portuguese
  • NSSA Portuguese Language Academy graduate preferred
  • Fluent in Portuguese
  • Proficient in English
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
General Editor (GE) Editor Other languages
  • NSSA Language Academy graduate preferred*
  • Fluent in language being edited
  • Proficient in English
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
Translation Editor (TE) Translation Editor English
  • NSSA English Editor Academy (EEA) TE program graduate preferred*
  • Fluent in the original Asian source language
  • Fluent in English
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
Translation Editor (TE) Translation Editor Portuguese
  • NSSA Portuguese Language Academy graduate preferred*
  • Fluent Portuguese
  • Fluent in English
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
Translation Editor (TE) Translation Editor Other languages
  • NSSA Language Academy graduate preferred*
  • Fluent in language being edited
  • Fluent in English
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
Chief Editor (CE) Editor English
  • NSSA English Editor Academy (EEA) CE program graduate preferred*
  • Previously held an Editor position in language being edited
  • Fluent in the original Asian source language
  • Fluent in English
  • Active Gold QC status Gold QC 
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
Chief Editor (CE) Editor Portuguese
  • NSSA Portuguese Language Academy graduate preferred
  • Previously held an Editor position in language being edited
  • Fluent Portuguese
  • Fluent in English
  • Active Gold QC status Gold QC 
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines
Chief Editor (CE) Editor Other languages***
  • NSSA Language Academy graduate preferred**
  • Previously held an Editor position in language being edited
  • Fluent in language being edited
  • Proficient in English
  • Active Gold QC status Gold QC 
  • Familiarity with Viki subtitle guidelines

* NSSA English Editor Academy to launch Fall of 2024.

** Not applicable if there is not a language academy in your language.

***Other language teams can decide whether or not a Chief Editor position makes sense for their language being edited.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to know English to become an Editor?

A: You should be fluent in English if you wish to become a Translation Editor or Chief Editor for any language, or a General Editor for English only. The Translation Editor and Chief Editor positions require a strong grasp of English as English is the language from which all other languages are translated from. General Editors of other languages only need to be proficient in English.

Q: How do I gain editing experience?

A: If you’d like to become an Editor as part of an English team, you can undergo training through NSSA’s new English Editing Academy (EEA) which will launch in Fall of 2024. Look for updates under the Ninja Academy NSSA category in Discussions. Contributors from other languages can gain editing experience through the editing program in their specific language academy of NSSA. Please contact NSSA for more information.

Q: How do I become an Editor with the English Editing team?

A: First, check that you have met the role requirement outlined above and have acquired editing experience either through NSSA or channel team experience. Then find the title that you would like to contribute to as an Editor and send a private message (PM) through Viki mailbox to the Channel Manager. Explain the position you would like and what qualifications you bring to the position. Don't forget to include the channel name you are interested in contributing to!

Q: How do I become an Editor with another language editing team?

A: First, check that you have met the role requirement outlined above and have acquired editing experience either through NSSA or channel team experience. Then find a title that you would like to contribute to as an Editor and send a private message (PM) to the language Moderator of the language you would like to contribute to.  If no such Moderator exists, you can send a private message to the Channel Manager. Explain the position you would like and what qualifications you bring to the position. Don't forget to include the channel name you are interested in contributing to!

Q: Is a team required to have all 3 types of Editors?

A: While it is strongly recommended for the English Editing team to have all 3 Editor positions (CE, TE, and GE). Other language teams may decide the number of Editors that best suit them. 

Q: Can I use Project Finder to find Editor opportunities?

A: Unfortunately, Editor opportunities are not currently available in Project Finder. Instead, please send a private message to the Channel Manager (for English) or the Language Moderator (for other languages) of the channel you wish to contribute to as an Editor.

Q: How do I know which Editor role I should be assigned?

A: Please refer to our help article “How to assign the right role for each Editor type

Q: I’ve been added as an Editor to a channel team. Why am I not immediately appearing under the “All Team Members” tab?

A: First, congratulations on your Editor position! There is a 10 minute delay from the time you are added as an Editor to the time your name will appear under ” All Team Members”. If your name is still not appearing, please contact your Channel Manager or Language Moderator.

Q: Is it OK to edit my own subtitles?

A: Yes. You may edit your own subtitles if the subtitle has a typo, grammatical error, an inaccurate translation, or if a cultural reference needs to be added. Please note that contribution points are not earned when editing your own subtitles. If you are an other language Editor who is subtitling and editing, please use the guideline if you are doing translation editing then ask your Channel Manager or Language Moderator to assign you the Translation Editor (TE) role.   

Please be sure that your editing responsibilities align with the role you are assigned. Role abuse is not tolerated at Viki and you do not want to risk having your QC status revoked.