Can you even watch a show without subtitles anymore?

Time of India

11 hours ago

Subtitles are no longer just for foreign language titles but also English content
During theatrical screenings of Conclave , many moviegoers found themselves asking, 'Wait, what did they say?' The film, as shown in cinemas, had no subtitles — unlike its streaming release.
Audiences say streaming platforms have rewired how we consume content — subtitles are no longer just for foreign language titles but also English content. In the US, almost 50 per cent viewers regularly watch English content with English subtitles. Closer to home, viewers say the trend is just as strong, if not stronger — though there's little formal data yet to confirm it.
In 2020, while accepting the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, Parasite director Bong Joon Ho said, 'Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so more amazing films.'
It seems like viewers truly got over the barrier. We look at how subtitles have gone from optional to essential for everyone, everywhere.
■ In 2022, Netflix revealed that 40% of its global users have subtitles (more commonly known as closed captions in some countries) on all the time, while 80% switch them on at least once a month – stats that far exceed the number of viewers who need captioning because of hearing impairment
■ Apple TV automatically enables subtitles when you rewind a show by more than ten seconds
'Default option is to always keep subtitles on'
Noor Desai, who works for a production house, says, 'Whenever I'm watching something on a streaming platform, my default option is to always keep subtitles on.
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If there's a subtle or subtextual moment that I might miss, one that's integral to the plot, subtitles help me catch it. Take, for example, the recent season of Studio , there is so much going on in that show that without subtitles, there's a chance you might miss something.
'
She adds, 'Whenever someone tells me — you don't need a subtitle for this series or film — I'm like, 'Oh! I need it. I need it to watch, to understand, and to screenshot and post on socials!'' Nayan, a naturalist, says that Conclave , which he first saw in a theatre and then again at home, 'was honestly a better watch the second time around because of the subtitles.'
With the rise of multi-lingual shows, platforms are finding creative ways to differentiate between languages in the subtitles
The subtitle that revealed the plot!
In some cases, subtitles have actually ruined the show for fans. In the climactic yacht scene in Season 2 of White Lotus , Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) is in a panic and alone. She climbs into a bedroom, seemingly trapped, and a subtitle suddenly appears: Greg calling her out – even though Greg (played by Jon Gries) was not on the yacht at that moment. Fans were enraged that the subtitles inadvertently revealed the killer in the whodunit, even though the show had not reached its climax.
It's subtitles over dubbed version
Most fans of Korean films and series are convinced that they know Korean because they can say words like oppa , saranghae , and kamsahamnida . Viewers say that watching a series with English subtitles and audio in its original language feels more authentic than a dubbed version.
Suchitra Banerjee, a viewer, says, 'When I started watching Lady's Companion , the platform played it in English.
It felt off to me, so I went to the audio section and found out that it was automatically playing the dubbed version. I changed it to European Spanish (the original language) and turned the subtitles to English. It felt much more authentic to watch the show in its original language.' However, once in a while, questions are raised over how authentic the translation is in the subtitles – like in the case of Squid Game (Korean), Lupin (French).
Colour-coded captions for
multilingual shows
With the rise of multi-lingual shows, platforms are finding creative ways to differentiate between languages in the subtitles. In Pachinko, creators used colourcoded subtitles for different languages. So, when Sunja (Youn-yuh-jung) speaks Korean, the subtitles appear in yellow and her Solomon's (Jin Ha's) Japanese is subtitled in blue.
Alisha, who works in the cinema business, says, 'When I started watching the show I realised how helpful it was.
Most people outside Korea and Japan wouldn't know when the languages switch – it helps the viewer pick up on that.'
As per studies, subtitles reinforce comprehension, especially in non-native speakers
Subtitles increase comprehension, but can divert attention away from visual cues
As per studies, subtitles reinforce comprehension, especially in non-native speakers. They help clarify fast or unclear speech, unfamiliar accents, or complex dialogues. Subtitles also often help viewers retain information better.
By reading and hearing the same content, viewers engage multiple cognitive pathways, improvingmemory and comprehension.
However, reading subtitles can divert attention away from visual cues – body language, facial expressions, or background actions – that are essential for full narrative comprehension. In one study, 92% of participants felt they missed visual details while reading subtitles.
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