Practical guide

Build a small caption dictionary that does not preserve errors

Last materially reviewed 2026-09-25

Quick answerUse verified names and specialist terms as a correction aid, then check that they were applied appropriately in context.
What to know

Collect only terms that recur

Start with the actual project: speaker names, product names, units and a handful of specialist expressions. Record the preferred spelling and where it was verified. Avoid importing an enormous list that includes unrelated private customer data. A useful dictionary is a focused production aid, not a copy of a company directory.

What to know

Do not treat a feature claim as a guarantee

Submagic documents a custom-word dictionary, but the existence of that feature does not prove perfect transcription. Similar-sounding words may need different treatment in different sentences. Check the current plan and editor before relying on the control. Our advice is to use the dictionary alongside review, not as a replacement for listening.

What to know

Check ambiguous words in their sentence

A brand name can also be an ordinary word. A global substitution may fix one line and damage another. Inspect each relevant occurrence, especially after an automated correction. If the source is unclear, flag it instead of making the text appear certain. Keep the decision with the edit notes so another reviewer understands why it was held.

What to know

Maintain the list as the project changes

When a product name or speaker label changes, update the approved list and check new exports. Do not rewrite already delivered material without a reason and authorization. Archive the dictionary version with the final file so later corrections are reproducible. Small, dated records are more useful than an impressive-looking vocabulary nobody reviews.

What to know

Treat a new entry as a small change request

When someone proposes a spelling change, identify the authority for it and the clips it affects. Correct the dictionary, then inspect the relevant outputs; do not assume previously rendered files changed automatically. If two clients use similar names, keep their lists separate. This avoids turning a helpful correction aid into a source of cross-project errors or accidental disclosure of another client’s terminology.

Continue when useful

Next: Correct captions in the order that protects meaning

Fix names, numbers, negatives and conditions before polishing the caption style.

Open Correct captions in the order that protects meaning →

Sources used for this page

These records support the facts and comparisons above. Merchant-controlled records are labelled so you can separate product claims from independent evidence.

  1. Submagic custom-word dictionary — Merchant documentation · care.submagic.co · Merchant-controlled · checked 2026-09-25