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Original poster

Does anyone else use subtitles all the time?

177 replies

JellyTots2009 · 03/10/2021 17:18

So since I was a teen I use subtitles when watching tv constantly.
I was watching a dvd at my dads when I was a teen and he said ' why have you got subtitles on?' And it only clicked then that it's not the norm.

I know that it is usually for people hard of hearing but I just feel content knowing I can read what they are saying. If someone has a strong accent I always know I can read what they are saying.

People even say how can you read and watch? Well I take a second to glance at the words then take it in and it's easy to follow the story still.

I've not stopped since my teens and my partner is used to it now.

Does anyone else rely on subtitles?

OP posts:
Werehamster · 03/10/2021 18:06

Yes, I always use subtitles even though my hearing is fine.

On Netflix though with dubbed programs they must use a different translator as the words they speak have the same meaning but are slightly different, so they will say something like: "Let's meet for lunch later" but the subtitles say: "Why don't we have lunch together later?" I'm actually used to it but it's a quirk.

DuesToTheDirt · 03/10/2021 18:08

I use them a lot, some films have too much mumbling. If I've had to rewind a couple of times to figure out the dialogue I end up putting subtitles on. Amazon is annoying though, it has lots of programmes without subtitles.

Hellocatshome · 03/10/2021 18:09

I am partially deaf, I can just abiut cope without subtitles but it is draining concentrating enough to follow what people are saying. I find subtitles make watching TV so much easier and even my husband now who has perfect hearing now finds it easier to watch TV with subtitles than without.

FindingMeno · 03/10/2021 18:09

Yes, but I have hearing loss

Guacamole001 · 03/10/2021 18:09

I got in the habit of subtitles when ds was much younger as he would be talking and interrupting but weaned myself off once he was about ten.

Flufferty · 03/10/2021 18:10

Yes, I always have the subtitles on

MrsMop1964 · 03/10/2021 18:17

I don't for english- language TV but my daughter does. I've always watched a lot of foreign dramas and films and when she was little she started watching Spongebob with subs on. She said it was because she wanted to get faster at reading so she could watch them with me. Now she watches a lot of anime and kdramas but likes subs on for everything.
I don't even register that I'm reading them though.I'm a fast reader and tend to recognise words by their shape without noticing individual letters if that makes sense.

Simonjt · 03/10/2021 18:18

Yes, my son is hearing impaired so he sometimes needs them, English isn’t my first language and I can really struggle with accents, so I typically have them on when I’m watching TV.

Stealhsquirrelnutkin · 03/10/2021 18:19

Yes, I prefer it, especially when the sound fluctuates as it often does. I don't like having to keep raising and lowering the sound to allow me to hear what is being whispered, without deafening the neighbours when the adverts or special effects music suddenly blares out.

I also really enjoy watching foreign programmes with subtitles. I can sit here enjoying a Welsh, Greek, French or German programme, understanding nearly every word, but funnily enough, as soon as I move away from the screen to a place where I can hear the sound without being able to see the subtitles, the actors always sneak strange, and completely incomprehensible words into their sentences.

When I lived in Scandinavia I had a friend who put masking tape over the lower part of the screen to hide the subtitles, because she said it helped her improve her English comprehension skills. But then she had to peel off the tape if someone said anything in a language she didn't understand.

Yummmg · 03/10/2021 18:24

Yes I do all the time. No hearing loss

Everly18 · 03/10/2021 18:26

Yes, I have subtitles on with everything I watch and I've noticed my kids do it also now 🙈

heidbuttsupper · 03/10/2021 18:29

Yip me! So glad there are others Grin

ginandbearit · 03/10/2021 18:32

Yes almost always ..so many modern productions have an almost 'soft' mode of sound...I can hear the noise but not the words.

GrealishHairband · 03/10/2021 18:33

Always. Ever since I was watching Andi Peters in the broom cupboard and saw ‘888’ in the corner and I put the number into teletext to see what it did. Both the kids and DH prefer to watch with now. For all the same reasons as everyone else, easier to follow at low volume, easy to follow when mumbling, just easier all round. I speed read anyway so I don’t even need to read them really, they just get absorbed.

TeenMinusTests · 03/10/2021 18:35

My DDs have subtitles on as they both have processing difficulties and it helps them keep up. As a result I've got quite used to it and often have them on when they aren't around.

Midnightstar76 · 03/10/2021 18:38

My 13 year old daughter does. She always asks for subtitles as finds it easier to understand. No hearing problems at all. My elder brother does too but has the sound turned down on the tv as well. Was surprised he did this when I visited a few years ago

Dreamstate · 03/10/2021 18:39

If I had my tv in at a volume I could hear things properly it pisses them off cos it travel right through our party wall

So I have to keep volume low enough to be considerate but does mena I have to use subtitles

CharityDingle · 03/10/2021 18:44

I use them sometimes. They can be useful for some programmes.

Rummikub · 03/10/2021 18:44

Yes always have them on.
I find them useful and hate watching tv without them.
On adverts it will tell you who the song is by too.

buzz91 · 03/10/2021 18:46

All the time, I find it hard to follow a programme when it doesn’t have subtitles

H1978 · 03/10/2021 18:46

Yep mine is always on too. Get slightly distracted if some programmes don’t have them.

Isababybel · 03/10/2021 18:50

Yes i always have them on!
I have no hearing problems, just like to read whats being said.

megletthesecond · 03/10/2021 18:52

I do. The dc's talk over everything.

QueenofBrickdon · 03/10/2021 18:53

Yes, always. I can hear fine but struggle to process what is being said. I'm on the waiting list for an Autism assessment.

Choccyp1g · 03/10/2021 18:55

@MopaniTree

Yes and I hate when subtitles are not available! Feel like I miss lots of the dialogue without them!
Agree I have them on whenever they are available. I don't think there's much wrong with my hearing, but find it hard to follow the mumbles and whispers. Especially when DS is eating and yapping next to me. I'd love to have the characters names shown as well, as I do have a problem with face recognition.