Guide · Training & Workplace Learning · By the AutoScribble Team · Published 22 September 2026
Translating a whiteboard script without losing timing
Short answer
Languages are spoken at different speeds, so a translated script rarely fits the same length. AutoScribble times each script using that language's natural speaking speed. Adapt the translation to the target length — trim examples rather than squeezing words — and check the timing estimate before you make the video.
Who this guide is for
Anyone adapting an existing English script into another language for a fixed-length video. It's part of our training & workplace learning resources.
What you'll need
- The source script
- The target length (30 seconds to 4 minutes)
- A fluent editor for the target language
Step by step
- 1
Choose the length first
Decide the final length, then write to it. Don't assume the English timing carries over.
- 2
Expect expansion
German, Spanish and French versions often come out longer than English. Plan to cut an example or two.
- 3
Cut ideas, not clarity
Remove a secondary point rather than rushing every sentence.
- 4
Check the estimate
Paste the script. AutoScribble warns you if it's too short or too long for the length you picked.
- 5
Keep scene breaks
Keep one idea per scene so the drawings keep pace with the narration.
Illustrative speaking speeds used for planning
| Language | Approx. words per minute | Effect vs English |
|---|---|---|
| English | 150 | Baseline |
| Spanish / Italian | 170 | More words fit, but translations run longer |
| German / Turkish | 130 | Fewer words fit per minute |
| Chinese | 240 characters | Counted in characters |
| Japanese | 300 characters | Counted in characters |
These are the planning speeds AutoScribble uses to estimate length, not guarantees for every voice.
Copy the AutoScribble prompt
Complete prompt
Adapt the English script below into German for a 90-second landscape whiteboard video. Keep the same five scenes, trim secondary examples so it fits 90 seconds at a natural German speaking pace, use Sie and € amounts with comma decimals, and keep on-screen labels to three words or fewer. [Paste English script here]
Common mistakes
- Keeping every sentence of a long translation
- Squeezing length by removing the call to action
- Ignoring the length warning
Review before publishing
- A fluent speaker of the target language has read the script aloud
- Names, numbers, dates and currency follow local convention
- On-screen words are short and spelt correctly in the finished video
- Narration and script are in the same language — no mixed recordings
- The video still fits the length you chose once narrated
Questions
Why did my translated video come out longer?
The translation had more to say at that language's speaking pace. Trim the script or pick a longer length.
Is the maximum length the same in every language?
Yes. Videos run from 30 seconds to 4 minutes.