One of the greatest debates in television today is not the length of seasons or time between releases; it’s whether it is better or worse to watch shows with subtitles. There is a pro-side to the argument; a lot of people believe that subtitles are easier to focus on while multitasking, and also make it easier to understand the content of the show. They are vital assets, as you can multitask while watching the show, and you can also catch up easily if you miss a piece of dialogue. When there are loud noises around the house, the TV does not have to be blasted to be heard; you could just follow along with subtitles. Another factor to consider is performance-based television, as actors that have a more internal style of emoting may speak softly, making their language difficult to discern. Along with this, there used to be less sound effects and music swells on TV. Now, more things are added under dialogue, and there are therefore more frequencies that can interfere with the dialogue. Lastly, when learning a new language, it can be very helpful to watch shows in the language with English subtitles to help you learn.
On the contrary, some people find subtitles distracting from the show, and believe it is more like a chore such as reading rather than leisurely watching TV. It is argued that subtitles can oftentimes be ahead or behind the actual dialogue, lagging, spoiling critical turning points in the show, or contain inaccurate translations. Some people are just simply old-school, and would rather watch TV the “old-fashioned way”. People may believe that subtitles feel like work, are hard or too small to read, and are not as common or integrated into their usual viewing habits. In addition, looking at multiple screens is not considered healthy, and being able to multitask on your phone because of subtitles encourages this habit. Subtitles might detract from having the full experience and being immersed in the story the viewer is watching unfold. There is also the worry that one might miss things visually when reading the subtitles, and therefore find them more distracting than helpful.
Interesting studies from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research depict data gathered in order to identify the differences between those who use subtitles and those who do not. One set of data prove that young adults use subtitles more regularly than older adults, showing that 18-44 year olds always or often use subtitles 40% of the time, while 45 and older always or often use them only 28% of the time. Those 60 and older are especially likely to say they “never use subtitles”. Another study was conducted that showed the side of older people who like using subtitles, as those 45 and older have a 25% rate of hearing impairment and therefore need captions, while those under 45 have a 5% rate of hearing impairment, so captions are not necessary. Thus, older people with hearing issues may not be able to hear the television as clearly, so they use subtitles in order to understand the content of the show or movie better. Young people under 45 have better hearing, so subtitles are not as crucial for them. Therefore, while older people may not feel as comfortable or enjoy using subtitles as much, it may be more necessary for them to use captions due to disabilities such as hearing loss.
In conclusion, the argument of whether or not subtitles should be used is controversial and paradoxical. There is no correct answer to this predicament, just a matter of opinion and view on the topic.
