2008-06-27

Dubs or Subs?

I vehemently abhor dubbing!

Recently have seen two films, while both in languages that I do not understand, there are times when I can. When there is understanding of the language spoken, I sometimes notice there is translation that could use improvement, and others where the translation is dead on.

There are even times, when in possession of a television, flipping through the channels would end up watching something for a period of time only to realize it's in another language than English.

Dubbing:
  • Wikipedia Dubbing article
  • Places someone else's voice so loudly over the original speaker that you can't hear that person.
  • You have to rely on the translator's word, unless you can read lips in that language. That also presumes that the person remains in view.
  • Makes it difficult to get the original speaker's voice back on film if they have died, are difficult to reach, etc. if their original voice recording was lost.
  • Is generally rude. It's like speaking louder at the same time someone else is. Or even more inconsiderate, speaking while someone else is in another language that does not understand you.
  • Also, it's insulting to the original speaker. They lose their "voice" on film.
  • Would confuse a hearing impaired person if they do not read lips in that language.
Sub-Titling:
  • Wikipedia Subtitle article
  • Allow you to read the sub-titles OR listen to the speaker if you understand that language.
  • Are great when there are multiple languages in a film, and you may not understand them all.
  • Can be turned off.
  • Is great to learn a new language.
  • Can be replaced with an improved version of an existing translation.
  • Can be replaced with additional translations as they come along for other languages.
  • Supports the hearing impaired.
Support and promote sub-titles!

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