Forum: Subtitling
Topic: Do you watch tv/movies with subtitles even in your native language?
Poster: B D Finch
Post title: Frequently
I prefer to watch films/TV in English without subtitles, as I find subtitles a distraction from the visual qualities of the film. However, I have a slight hearing loss and often find that I miss important parts of the dialogue if I don't have the subtitles on. This is especially the case with American and other non-British accents. Since I've been using subtitles, I've discovered that I've been failing to hear some of the important background sounds (birdsong, wind, doors squeaking, background conversation etc.), so the subtitles aren't just useful for dialogue. I also have a problem with listening to many female American accents, as I find them harsh and grating and prefer to turn the sound down a bit. For some voices, I'll even press the mute button while that particular person is speaking. As I only watch French TV, the subtitles for English language films are in French, though I use the English subtitles for English DVDs.
For French films and TV, I prefer not to have the subtitles on, at least some of the time, in order to improve how well I listen to and hear French dialogue. With subtitles on for French language films, it is too easy for me to be lazy and read rather than listen.
Topic: Do you watch tv/movies with subtitles even in your native language?
Poster: B D Finch
Post title: Frequently
I prefer to watch films/TV in English without subtitles, as I find subtitles a distraction from the visual qualities of the film. However, I have a slight hearing loss and often find that I miss important parts of the dialogue if I don't have the subtitles on. This is especially the case with American and other non-British accents. Since I've been using subtitles, I've discovered that I've been failing to hear some of the important background sounds (birdsong, wind, doors squeaking, background conversation etc.), so the subtitles aren't just useful for dialogue. I also have a problem with listening to many female American accents, as I find them harsh and grating and prefer to turn the sound down a bit. For some voices, I'll even press the mute button while that particular person is speaking. As I only watch French TV, the subtitles for English language films are in French, though I use the English subtitles for English DVDs.
For French films and TV, I prefer not to have the subtitles on, at least some of the time, in order to improve how well I listen to and hear French dialogue. With subtitles on for French language films, it is too easy for me to be lazy and read rather than listen.