| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Poll: If you understand the original language of a movie, you prefer to watch it in... Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you understand the original language of a movie, you prefer to watch it in...".
This poll was originally submitted by Laura Leal
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you understand the original language of a movie, you prefer to watch it in...".
This poll was originally submitted by Laura Leal
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
| | | | Nesrin 
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:23
English to Arabic
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| Original language subtitles are brilliant (for American films)... | Feb 8, 2007 |
Most of the times when I watch American films I miss half of what's being said, even though I pride myself with my "almost near-native" English skills. They just mumble and whisper too much!
So I really love it when I can watch a film on DVD with original subtitles -suddenly the plot becomes so much clearer!
| | | | | Sound-tracks vary so in clarity | Feb 8, 2007 |
Nice poll!
If I understand the original language, I prefer to watch the film in that language without subtitles, because it's a challenge. Subtitles can distract me, because I tend to keep checking whether they've got it right! However, sound-tracks vary so greatly in clarity - some are so fuzzy that subtitles help - even in English mother-tongue films.
Did anyone see "Pan's Labyrinth" (El Laberinto del Faúno)? What an extraordinary film! It's a Spanish film directed and scripted... See more Nice poll!
If I understand the original language, I prefer to watch the film in that language without subtitles, because it's a challenge. Subtitles can distract me, because I tend to keep checking whether they've got it right! However, sound-tracks vary so greatly in clarity - some are so fuzzy that subtitles help - even in English mother-tongue films.
Did anyone see "Pan's Labyrinth" (El Laberinto del Faúno)? What an extraordinary film! It's a Spanish film directed and scripted by Mexican-born Guillermo del Toro that won an award at Cannes recently. Its sound-track was so crystal clear that I didn't need its English subtitles at all. Conversely, Pedro Almodóvar's "Volver" was so fuzzy that I could hardly understand a word - perhaps too Andalucian for my Castillian-trained ear? Fascinating film, though.
Regards, Jenny. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 08:23
English to Arabic
+ ...
| Also for the fun of it, Arabic subtitles for some English films... | Feb 8, 2007 |
... just to spot the number of mistakes they make!
One classic which I've spotted myself:
English original: "I've reserved a table for five thirty".
Arabic subtitles: "I've reserved a table for thirty-five persons"!
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| Original with mother tongue subtitles | Feb 8, 2007 |
I chose the above because it happens most of the time. I like watching movies or series in their original language, yes, but it also depends on what I'm watching.
For example, if I'm watching Friends (the American comedy series) I like taking a look at the subtitles when they make a joke or say something smart to see how the translator handled it. But if I'm watching CSI I use the closed caption feature to read the spelling of those big words they use in criminology.
I... See more I chose the above because it happens most of the time. I like watching movies or series in their original language, yes, but it also depends on what I'm watching.
For example, if I'm watching Friends (the American comedy series) I like taking a look at the subtitles when they make a joke or say something smart to see how the translator handled it. But if I'm watching CSI I use the closed caption feature to read the spelling of those big words they use in criminology.
I have found at least one exception to what I chose for the poll. I went to see the movie SHREK 2 dubbed in Spanish the first time and we laughed so hard. Then I went to watch it in the original language, English, and I was so disappointed that I wanted to leave 30 minutes into the movie.
[Edited at 2007-02-08 13:57] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 09:23
French to English
+ ...
| Depends on the language | Feb 8, 2007 |
I generally prefer to watch movies in their original version, without subtitles, but this is of course dependant on the original language. As mentioned above, I too find it hard to break the habit of "translating as I go" and end up concentrating more on the quality of the subtitles than on the storyline.
I dabble in a couple of languages for fun (but which are not at all source languages for translation). I find that watching films in these languages is great practice, but I also a... See more I generally prefer to watch movies in their original version, without subtitles, but this is of course dependant on the original language. As mentioned above, I too find it hard to break the habit of "translating as I go" and end up concentrating more on the quality of the subtitles than on the storyline.
I dabble in a couple of languages for fun (but which are not at all source languages for translation). I find that watching films in these languages is great practice, but I also appreciate subtitles when things get a little too complicated for my untrained ear.
In any case, I try to avoid dubbed-over films whenever possible. ▲ Collapse
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I always prefer to hear the voice of the actors, whether they speak French, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other language. I know that the people who dub movies are real actors too, but I just prefer to get the whole pack from the original actor.
Even when I don't need subtitles I always chose to turn them on (on DVDs for example), and preferably not in my mother tongue. So for an English speaking movie I'll have the subtitles in Spanish, and vice versa, or maybe in another langu... See more I always prefer to hear the voice of the actors, whether they speak French, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other language. I know that the people who dub movies are real actors too, but I just prefer to get the whole pack from the original actor.
Even when I don't need subtitles I always chose to turn them on (on DVDs for example), and preferably not in my mother tongue. So for an English speaking movie I'll have the subtitles in Spanish, and vice versa, or maybe in another language that I don't speak but can understand to some extent (Portugese, Italian, German...) if I am in the mood for it.
This habit comes from the year I studied in Amsterdam. Our Dutch teacher was always always on a sick leave, and the few Dutch words and expressions I did learn, I picked up from watching movies in English subtitled in Dutch. In the beginning it gave me headaches, then I just got addicted. I guess it's like what some people experience with sudoku puzzles. I just love to compare what I hear and what I read, I get a kick out of it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Original + subtitles in opposite language | Feb 8, 2007 |
i.e. English + German subtitles or German with English subtitles.
Perhaps because I find it difficult to switch off from translating, but it is useful to see how everyday slang etc. has been translated. I usually write down good catchphrases.
Nevertheless, I sometimes watch English/English when I find it difficult to understand the mumbling, especially when everyone is talking at once (very rare in a German film). I had to watch "Finding Forrester" and the new versio... See more i.e. English + German subtitles or German with English subtitles.
Perhaps because I find it difficult to switch off from translating, but it is useful to see how everyday slang etc. has been translated. I usually write down good catchphrases.
Nevertheless, I sometimes watch English/English when I find it difficult to understand the mumbling, especially when everyone is talking at once (very rare in a German film). I had to watch "Finding Forrester" and the new version of "Shaft" with English subtitles followed by the German translation(!) as the American slang had me completely stumped (e.g. dog).
I recent boo-boo that made me laugh: "she's well-heeled" translated as "well-healed" ▲ Collapse
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Jenny Forbes wrote:
Nice poll!
If I understand the original language, I prefer to watch the film in that language without subtitles, because it's a challenge. Subtitles can distract me, because I tend to keep checking whether they've got it right! However, sound-tracks vary so greatly in clarity - some are so fuzzy that subtitles help - even in English mother-tongue films.
(...)
Regards, Jenny.
I couldn't have said it better, Jenny
For Latin American productions in Spanish, I don't need any help. Now when I watch Almodovar's movies, I do, though I can perfectly understand my friends from Spain.
For American movies, I prefer to take the challenge but sometimes I do prefer the original subtitles, not to miss the small things.
Even as a teenager, I used to choose the movie theaters where they would show the movies in their original version with subtitles, as I liked to hear the "real actor" and not someone else's dubbing.
[Edited at 2007-02-08 14:16]
| | | | Aurora Humarán (X)
Argentina
Local time: 04:23
English to Spanish
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| A disappointed teenager | Feb 8, 2007 |
Aurélie DANIEL wrote:
I always prefer to hear the voice of the actors, whether they speak French, English, Spanish, Chinese or any other language. I know that the people who dub movies are real actors too, but I just prefer to get the whole pack from the original actor.
I used to watch The Saint when I was young(er) on TV (dubbed.)
One day I heard The Saint's voice (oh, my God!) on somebody else's lips (not Roger Moore's). That... broke my heart.
For that subjective reason... I prefer subtitling.
Au
| | | | Hynek Palatin
Czech Republic
Local time: 09:23
Member (2003)
English to Czech
+ ...
| Original with mother tongue subtitles | Feb 8, 2007 |
I prefer the original language even if I don't understand it - with mother tongue or English subtitles. Dubbing kills half of the experience. Unfortunately, the general public doesn't share the same opinion.
| | | | Rebecca Garber
Local time: 03:23
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
| Also for fun, American dubbed in German | Feb 8, 2007 |
Nesrin wrote: ... just to spot the number of mistakes they make! One classic which I've spotted myself: English original: "I've reserved a table for five thirty". Arabic subtitles: "I've reserved a table for thirty-five persons"!
Mostly because the voices don't match the American originals.
Hilarious! John Wayne in German is the best!
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Clara Duarte
Portugal
Local time: 08:23
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Original + mother tongue subtitles | Feb 8, 2007 |
I like having the possibility to hear the real actors and read the subtitles in Portuguese. It allows me to learn and to have a laugh sometimes.
Like Jenny, I also get distracted while trying to find mistakes and incorrections but sometimes the translation is more exciting than whatever I am watching.
Here in Portugal films and tv series are not dubbed, except some really rare cases, for instance The Knight Rider and A-Team dubbed in Brasilian Portuguese, or Friends du... See more I like having the possibility to hear the real actors and read the subtitles in Portuguese. It allows me to learn and to have a laugh sometimes.
Like Jenny, I also get distracted while trying to find mistakes and incorrections but sometimes the translation is more exciting than whatever I am watching.
Here in Portugal films and tv series are not dubbed, except some really rare cases, for instance The Knight Rider and A-Team dubbed in Brasilian Portuguese, or Friends dubbed to European Portuguese. TVI (an independent TV station) decided to spare some money and buy the dubbed versions from Brasil, and RTP (state TV) had a season of Friends dubbed in European Portuguese. ▲ Collapse
| | | | TMSavaglio
United States
Local time: 03:23
English to French
+ ...
| original subtitles for sake of clarity | Feb 8, 2007 |
Sometimes when I'm watching a film in a language I understand, even my mother tongue English (especially British English), I like to have on the subtitles in the same language. It can help clarify slang, regionally different idioms as well as vocabulary words that I may be unfamiliar with. Sometimes in classes I wish I could turn on subtitles to make sure what I heard was what the professor said, and the same goes for a film. Jokes especially are much easier to understand when you can catch ever... See more Sometimes when I'm watching a film in a language I understand, even my mother tongue English (especially British English), I like to have on the subtitles in the same language. It can help clarify slang, regionally different idioms as well as vocabulary words that I may be unfamiliar with. Sometimes in classes I wish I could turn on subtitles to make sure what I heard was what the professor said, and the same goes for a film. Jokes especially are much easier to understand when you can catch every word. Also, I really dislike dubbing, seeing the actors' mouths move differently than how the words are formed is disorienting, so I prefer subtitles in general.
[Edited at 2007-02-08 16:16] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Vittorina Klingbeil (X)
Germany
Local time: 09:23
Italian to English
+ ...
| It's wonderful ... | Feb 8, 2007 |
to pay more attention to the original version. We bought the "Pane e tulipani" DVD in Italy, not realising that it came only in Italian, without option of another language or subtitles. When we watched it at home my husband and children, who do not speak Italian, all agreed that it was much better to watch it just the way it was, because it was so rich in visual beauty and emotion. Often we are so busy reading the subtitles that we miss out a lot of the "other" action going on. Of course I was t... See more to pay more attention to the original version. We bought the "Pane e tulipani" DVD in Italy, not realising that it came only in Italian, without option of another language or subtitles. When we watched it at home my husband and children, who do not speak Italian, all agreed that it was much better to watch it just the way it was, because it was so rich in visual beauty and emotion. Often we are so busy reading the subtitles that we miss out a lot of the "other" action going on. Of course I was there to provide interpretation where needed ... ▲ Collapse
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