Subtitled Dialogue?

So characters are speaking, but they are speaking in a different language. How do you write it?

Thanks.

MW

Take a look at Page 89 of Trottier's "Screenwriter's Bible-Revised".

You can't go wrong with an example right out of "Ratman From Saturn"!

.......DEUS
...(in German; subtitle)
Indicate subtitles like this.
...(in English)
Using parenthetic.

INT. ROOM - DAY

DEUS only speaks German. Subtitle as needed.

......DEUS
Or indicate subtitles
in the narrative.

My choice is the first example for a character who speaks more than one language.

Oh never mind. I can't get the format right. But what Trottier suggests is that you use two columns.

So it would look like this- minus the dots (if I just leave a space, it does not show once it is posted.

PIERRE..................................SUBTITLES
Elle etait occupee.......................She was busy.

Yikes! Two columns? I've never seen that.

When I write in languages other than my own (including English, after the third Scotch) the deciding factor about subtitles is whether the reader/audience needs to know what's being said.

For example, let's say an Earthling has been abducted by aliens and wakes up strapped to a table with two aliens next to him having a conversation. If I wanted to emphasize how lost and confused he is, I would simply describe in the exposition that the aliens were speaking a language he didn't understand and I wouldn't subtitle anything.

On the other hand, if I wanted the reader/audience to know what the aliens were saying as a way of increasing tension because now the reader knows and the Earthling doesn't, I would write:

ALIEN #1
(in SUBTITLED ALIEN)
I can't believe it...fifth probe this week.

ALIEN #2
(in SUBTITLED ALIEN)
I know what you mean. Let's get this over
with so we can get this one down to the kitchen.
I'm hungry.

Here's another related discussion we had on this before:

b3.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=1325.topic

Jeff-

I totally agree with you. I'm not a fan of the two column thing. I was quoting Trottier (from the Screenwriter's Bible).
Personally, I would do what you said.