Pronunciation: [kˈapʃənɪŋ] (IPA) 
Captioning is the act of adding text to visual media to provide subtitles, closed captions, or other descriptions. The IPA phonetic transcription for "captioning" is /ˈkæpʃənɪŋ/. It is spelled with a "c" instead of a "k" because the sound is represented by the letter "c" in English. The "a" in "cap" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, while the "tion" at the end is pronounced with a "sh" sound instead of a "t" sound.
Captioning refers to the process of adding explanatory or descriptive text to visual or audiovisual content in order to provide additional information for those who may have difficulty hearing or understanding the content. This text, typically displayed on screen or as subtitles, helps to convey the verbal or auditory elements of the content in a written format. Captioning is commonly used in a variety of media formats, including television shows, movies, videos, and live events.
The purpose of captioning is to ensure that individuals with hearing impairments or those who are in a noisy environment can fully comprehend and engage with the audiovisual content. By providing a written representation of the spoken dialogue, sound effects, and other relevant audio cues, captioning assists in making the content accessible to a wider audience.
Captioning can take various forms, such as open captions or closed captions. Open captions are permanently embedded in the video and cannot be turned off, whereas closed captions can be toggled on or off by the viewer. Closed captions are often used in television broadcasts and online streaming platforms, allowing viewers to choose whether they want to see the captions or not.
In addition to benefiting individuals with hearing impairments, captioning can also assist those learning a new language, viewers who prefer to watch content with captions, or individuals who are in a noisy environment where they are unable to hear the audio clearly.
The word "captioning" is derived from the noun "caption". The noun "caption" originated from the Latin word "capito" meaning "a taking", which further evolved into "captio" or "captiō" in Latin meaning "seizing" or "capturing". Over time, this term came to refer to the act of capturing or seizing the essence or main idea of something.
In the 18th century, the word "caption" started to be used specifically in the context of written explanatory or descriptive phrases accompanying images, especially in newspapers or publications. This gave rise to the concept of "captions" as concise texts that convey information about visual content.
As technology advanced, and with the advent of movies and television, the need for textual representation of audio content emerged. This led to the extension of "captions" as texts displayed on the screen to help viewers understand and follow the audio content.
