Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Can your 9/10 year old watch a subtitled film?

29 replies

NotQuiteUsual · 31/12/2022 09:45

I'm trying to gauge this before I risk making myself look a twat! Me and my DD like to go to the cinema and watch anime films when they're on. She prefers them in Japanese, so that's what we watch. Her friend has expressed an interest to DD about coming next time. Which is great, because DD struggles socially and any chance to encourage friendships works for me. But the thing is DD is a very advanced reader and my eldest, so I've not got any idea if keeping up with subtitled films is realistic for her peers. It's not something I can ask without coming across as a right show off twat either is it?

So in a nutshell could your 9/10 year old manage subtitles films comfortably?

OP posts:
Crackstone · 31/12/2022 09:47

Yes of course

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 31/12/2022 09:51

Yes my DC who has ASD loves anime and is into Dragon Ball Z although this is mainly dubbed he does watch other anime shows that are subbed.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 31/12/2022 09:53

Yes, it should be fine as long as the storyline is engaging enough.

CalpolOnToast · 31/12/2022 09:55

My DS9 only learned to read properly at 7 and he managed an Asterix film in French yesterday

Swissnotswiss · 31/12/2022 09:56

Yes. We watch a lot though. I think it's something that gets better with practice.

Decafflatteplease · 31/12/2022 09:57

I'm deaf so we always have subtitles on the family TV so yes it's fine 👍

elevenplusdilemma · 31/12/2022 10:02

I'm sure it will be fine. Even if they don't read every single word, they can still get an idea of what's happening from the picture.
As a child, I often visited family who lived in a different country and would watch cartoons / films in their language without subtitles quite happily even though I couldn't understand the language myself).

Original poster
NotQuiteUsual · 31/12/2022 10:03

Fab everyone thank you!! I thought it was probably fine. But I have no frame of reference for it. I avoid talking about how the kids are doing academically as much as possible with mum friends so have no idea what normal is outside of what my own are doing.

OP posts:
ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 31/12/2022 10:04

Yea.
Why not try out on Netflix claus films if you have it. Super cute films about father Christmas? Dutch but subtitles..

Original poster
NotQuiteUsual · 31/12/2022 10:06

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 31/12/2022 10:04

Yea.
Why not try out on Netflix claus films if you have it. Super cute films about father Christmas? Dutch but subtitles..

I've not heard of that one. It's probably not DDs thing, but her brother would love it. Was looking for something nice to watch this afternoon so that probably fits the bill perfectly thank you.

OP posts:
CottonSock · 31/12/2022 10:07

I have a 9.5 yo. She could probably do it if the film was engaging. I think she might get a bit lost. I also imagine she would find it quite tiring and I cant see her enjoying it. My dd is not a high flier in terms of reading, lower end of average I'd say.

I'd probably check the subtitles first in terms of speed of dialogue. However, if you are a big fan of the genre you might already know how much talking there is.

babybythesea · 31/12/2022 10:07

My eldest could have done. My youngest is dyslexic and still, age 10, can spell her own name wrong if she’s rushing. She would not be able to follow and would also end up feeling like shit - she’s very aware that other children can read things she can’t. A quick “Just checking you know it has subtitles?” Would help as I then could explain to her why this particular film might be tricky…

ChristmasTidyings · 31/12/2022 10:11

I think you're overthinking. The friend must know the films are in Japanese, and has said she is interested in going. My DC happily watch cartoons in languages they don't understand without any subtitles. It's funny when you ask what happened as they will both tell a different story!

ChristmasTidyings · 31/12/2022 10:13

To answer your question, yes, I think my 10 year old could. But probably wouldn't bother and just watch the film.

OrionsAccessory · 31/12/2022 10:13

My dyslexic 12 year old would struggle but my 7 year old would manage so it depends on the kid really!

underneaththeash · 31/12/2022 10:14

My 11yo couldn’t - her reading is fine, but she has ADHD and struggles with comprehension.

newmum1976 · 31/12/2022 10:14

My child with dyslexia would find this very difficult, even now, at 13 years, as she can’t read quickly and fully understand meaning. I would check with the child’s parent first.

Soubriquet · 31/12/2022 10:15

Yes. I’m deaf so all films are subtitled for me. Dd prefers the films with subtitles too now.

ds doesn’t but he’s a lazy shit

TwoShades1 · 31/12/2022 10:23

It will really depend on the child and how interesting they find the topic. My step daughter is dyslexic and possibly adhd and definitely would not have managed to read subtitles at all at 9 or 10. Now at 12 she’s also really into anime and can read the subtitles sufficiently well to follow along. If it was a movie she wasn’t interested in I doubt she would manage well with subtitles though.

Doingmybest12 · 31/12/2022 10:32

When you invite her just mention it will be subtitled like you'd mention anything else that might make a difference to whether they choose to come or not.

Original poster
NotQuiteUsual · 31/12/2022 10:39

Reading more replies and bearing in mind I literally know nothing of this girls abilities I might message mum and let her know it's subtitled, then if it's a problem I'll just lie and say they're only doing dubbed screenings to the girls.

I'm definitely overthinking it. But overthinking is my strongest skill in life, so what else am I going to do?

OP posts:
ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 31/12/2022 11:04

My dd has suspect dsylexia and is a slow reader and managed ok

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 31/12/2022 11:06

@babybythesea has she had professional work to help her read, eg speed reading, flash cards, movement away from phonics to sight reading?

minipie · 31/12/2022 11:10

Yes DD absolutely could, she is a strong reader.

She would probably find it a bit boring though so I agree it would be best to check the friend realises it’s in Japanese with subtitles and is ok with that.

Are there dubbed options available? Dubbed might not be your DD’s preference but perhaps she could compromise to include the friend?

Greatly · 31/12/2022 11:13

Just go and see the dubbed version! They can still bond over it and it will be easier all round.