Speaker Identification

Methods used in captions and subtitles to indicate which person is currently speaking, enabling viewers to follow conversations among multiple participants. Common in-text speaker identification techniques include double chevrons (>>) with speaker names, different text colors for each speaker, voice narration labels (e.g., "Speaker 1" or "Male Voice"), and emoji indicators. The choice of method significantly affects the viewing experience of Deaf and Hard of Hearing viewers, particularly during live broadcasts with rapid turn-taking among multiple speakers. Research has shown that the optimal method depends on the number of speakers onscreen, with preferences shifting as complexity increases.