Translation & localisationSounds German. Not translated.
International agencies often come to us with scripts that were translated with AI and approved by a client who doesn’t speak German. On social, that kind of text feels foreign instantly, and the Reel loses the thumb. We translate and localise scripts, hooks, subtitles and ad copy by hand – for clients such as Indeed, Deezer and Estrid.
What’s included
What we translate
Script translation English ↔ German
UGC and ad scripts in both directions. Speakable, natural, persuasive.
Transcreation of hooks & ad copy
Hooks, headlines and ad copy rewritten so they work in the target language just as well as in the original.
Gen Z & social language
Wording, slang and tone for the generation you want to reach – Gen Z, millennials or Gen X.
Localisation for DACH
Adapted to Germany, Austria and Switzerland: wording, tone, culture.
Subtitles
Translated subtitles, timed to fit and short enough for vertical video.
Review of existing translations
Already have a translation, for example from AI? We review it and suggest changes – with English explanations for your client.
Translation + voice-over
The translated version voiced straight away or produced into the video on request.
Where AI translations fail on social.
Grammatically correct doesn’t mean a script works. These are the mistakes we keep seeing in translated German scripts:
Sie instead of du
German creators use the informal “du”. The formal “Sie” instantly sounds like an ad.
Slang translated literally
Gen Z language carried over word for word sounds meaningless or unintentionally funny.
English translated that should stay English
“Get ready with me”, “unboxing” or “link in bio” stay English on German social media. Translated, they sound foreign.
Too long for the hook
German sentences are often longer. The hook misses the first seconds, subtitles no longer fit the frame.
Wordplay and rhythm lost
The meaning stays, the punchline doesn’t. Only a new line helps.
Approval without German
The text looks finished, so it gets approved. Nobody who speaks German has read it.
Examples from our cases
See all cases →Why OUT OF OFFICE Society
By people who speak social.
From practice
German native speakers with 2,000+ UGC videos behind us: we know how creators talk on TikTok and Instagram.
Easy approval
On request, with a short English note on every change – so clients who don’t speak German can approve with confidence.
For international brands
Translation and localisation for clients such as Indeed, Deezer and Estrid.
FAQ
Is the translation machine-made?
No. We translate ourselves and adapt hooks, wordplay and tone to the target language.
Can you review an existing AI translation?
Yes. We go through the version, flag what doesn’t sound like social media and suggest better wording.
Our client doesn’t speak German. How can they approve?
With a short English back-translation or note on every change. That way they see the key messages are intact.
Do you also translate into Austrian German?
Yes. We localise for Germany and Austria – depending on the audience.
Can we book translation only?
Yes – on its own or together with voice-over and shoot.
Read more in our guides
Translating UGC scripts into German: why AI isn’t enough
Why AI-translated German scripts underperform on TikTok and Reels: du vs. Sie, Gen Z slang, anglicisms, hook length – and how agencies can get it right.
Read more →What is UGC? Meaning, formats and examples
UGC explained: what user-generated content means, which formats exist, where UGC videos run and when they make sense for brands.
Read more →Hook rate: formula, meaning and hold rate
Hook rate explained: the formula, how to set it up in Meta Ads Manager, how it differs from hold rate and how to improve the opening of your video ads.
Read more →