Okay, so there are subtitles, and surtitles, but is there a name for the ones ap

Question:

Okay, so there are subtitles, and surtitles, but is there a name for the ones appearing at the side of stage?

I am off to the opera on Thursday, haven't been in a couple of years, and it got me thinking.

Translated dialogue in a film appearing at the bottom of the screen is called a subtitle, the 'sub' bit being Latin for 'under'.

Dialogue appearing above the stage in opera is called 'surtitle', with 'sur' meaning 'on' or 'above'.

They use the term 'surtitle' even if it appears at the side of the stage - well they do round here anyway - but technically this is incorrect.

So I just wondered if there is a more accurate word for dialogue appearing at the side of the stage, or if 'surtitle' is just the accepted term.

Any ideas?

I'm putting this in Arts & Humanities cos I figure opera folks are more likely to know. :o)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

otto