Important Notes
Sonix does not support right-to-left (RTL) text direction or dir="rtl" styling within the platform although it can accurately transcribe RTL languages in terms of content.
Formatting issues happen mostly when subtitles are exported to formats like SRT or VTT.
These issues are due to technical limitations in how bidirectional (BiDi) text is supported in many subtitle standards and video players.
Manual adjustment may be required after export for proper alignment.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Transcribe as usual
Upload your audio or video file in Arabic, Hebrew, or another RTL language to Sonix.
Let Sonix process the transcription.
2. Review the text in the Sonix editor
Content should appear correct overall.
Look out for alignment issues, especially in subtitles that include both RTL text and left-to-right (LTR) content (like English words or numbers).
3. Export with caution
When exporting subtitles (SRT, VTT), note that alignment may default to left-to-right.
4. Manually adjust subtitles (optional)
Use a subtitle editing tool such as Subtitle Edit, Aegisub, or EZTitles.
Add or enforce dir="rtl" styling where supported.
Re-align text to the right if needed.
5. Test in your video player or platform
Some players (e.g., VLC) may not render RTL formatting correctly.
If embedding subtitles, confirm that your video editor or hosting platform supports RTL text.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Why do mixed-language subtitles (Arabic + English) look jumbled?
Most subtitle formats struggle with BiDi text. Numbers or English words inside RTL text may cause display issues.
Why are my Arabic or Hebrew subtitles aligned to the left?
SRT and VTT subtitle formats default to left alignment. You’ll need to adjust them manually in a subtitle editor.
Why does my video player still show alignment issues after editing?
Not all video players fully support RTL subtitles. Try a different player or embed the subtitles directly into the video using editing software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sonix support transcription in Arabic, Hebrew, and other RTL languages?
Yes. Sonix can transcribe these languages accurately in terms of words and meaning.
Are the alignment issues unique to Sonix?
No. These issues affect most transcription and subtitling tools because common subtitle formats were not designed for RTL languages.
Can I fix subtitle alignment permanently?
Yes. By using a subtitle editor, you can reformat your exported file with RTL attributes and ensure better playback support.
Will these issues affect the transcript inside Sonix?
No. The transcript in Sonix generally displays correctly. Issues mostly appear after exporting subtitles to external formats.
For further assistance, please contact Sonix support at [email protected] or through the chatbox located in the bottom right corner of our website.