Foreign Shows - Dubbed or Subtitles

[Jules]

With the actors’ and writers’ strikes, the streaming companies are bringing in lots of foreign shows. They’re all dubbed or have subtitles. Will you watch them?

I’m semi-surprised at the folks who refuse. They might be missing a great show and a different culture.

We watched these prior to the strike just because of the settings. It’s an easy way to travel from home.

 

[Nathan]

I've watched many movies and series on Netflix that were "foreign language", even British programs. Netflix has good sub-titling, the text is easily readable, and doesn't progress too fast.

 

[Rossana]

I watch a lot of foreign movies or documentaries. I prefer subtitles for the movies because I feel I miss the emotions when it is dubbed. For the documentaries, I prefer it to be dubbed because it often goes into deep descriptions and it becomes tiring to read all the subtitles.

 

[jujube]

I need the sub-titles to hear what's going on, but it annoys me when the dubbed audio and the subtitles don't match.

Someone will say, "I think he's guilty" and the subtitle will say "I believe he isn't telling the truth".

Annoying. A small annoyance, but still annoying.

 

[Jules]

I've watched many movies and series on Netflix that were "foreign language", even British programs. Netflix has good sub-titling, the text is easily readable, and doesn't progress too fast.

Same with Australian. I’m watching a series right now where subtitles are needed and even then the phrases don’t always make sense.

 

[Jules]

Do any Brits or Ozzies here use subtitles when watching American shows?

 

[Marie5656]

I was watching an Austrailian TV series, and at first had trouble with the Aussie accent. But with concentration I was able to watch it with no issues. Some of the slang I did not understand, until I got more into the show and was able to put the slang into contest

 

[Jeni]

many dubbed it is amusing to see lips not even close to matching.... the subtitles and reading a tv show i am not a big fan of ...
i have done a few but usually i do a few things while watching TV if i can not miss a subtitle it really locks me to just reading the show.

 

[Jace]

do not 'care' for.
subtitles..too fast..
can't read.

 

[DebraMae]

I like both but sometimes with subtitles I feel like I missed the movie because I was reading, so I go back and watch the movie again.

 

[RadishRose]

I answered both yes and no.
Yes to dubbed versions cuz' there's a lot to look at besides text.
No to subtitles for the same reason.

But sometimes text is better to feel emotional drama.

 

[Bella]

I don't mind subtitles if I don't have to break out a magnifying glass to read the text and if it isn't too late in the evening because by then, I don't feel like reading. Dubbed, meh, it depends on the film and how much I want to see it. It bothers me when the dialogue and lips aren't in sync, if it's too far off it's annoying to watch.

 

[dobielvr]

I'd rather not. Just like DebraMae, it interferes w/my watching the movie.

When surfing through Netflix and the movie happens to be foreign and their lips aren't matching up w/the vocals, I quickly move on to the next choice.

 

[Remy]

I have watched non English speaking films and since English is my only language, I need the subtitles. You can miss things, but watch the movie more than once if you like it. I certainly will watch foreign films.

And movies with authentic English accents, turn up the volume. I do even with call the midwife. I can miss things. I was watching a British movie once and was impressed with myself that I knew that the slang term "slap" meant "makeup."

Edit to add: They say something is always lost in the translation and I suppose that is true, but what can you do.

 

[Jules]

They say something is always lost in the translation

Good point.

 

[Avon]

Watched some good subtitled series from the Scandinavian Countries and Holland. It's just as well, as UK TV is utter tripe and the sound is worse, mainly the women who do not open their mouths and just whisper, and the plot is lost.

 

[Flarbalard]

Sometimes subtitles are too fast for me to catch, but mostly I do ok. It varies a lot from show to show and who has done the translation. What I do have to do though is have the sound on because the music and back round noise adds a lot to my being immersed in the program.