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Original poster

To switch off subtitles

151 replies

Sloelydoesit · 26/08/2023 00:31

Watching a movie with my son. English language. We are native English speakers.
He had switched the subtitles on and claimed he couldn't watch it without them. Apparently this is 'a thing' and he thinks that everyone mumbles.
I have switched them off.
Anyone else here who has children in the same situation who watches TV with subtitles on?

OP posts:
Exactfare · 26/08/2023 08:21

Einevinefine · 26/08/2023 04:26

Love them but then I’m deaf. Really quite interested to learn here that hearing people use them too. My kids still put them on but I assumed that was a throw back to childhood. They all were early readers but I love books including children’s books. I miss the days of Hairy McClary, Winnie the Witch, The Dog Who Dug etc. Overdosed on Thomas Tank Engine though. Still know all the Engines numbers and characters. But, I digress, I’m in the subtitles camp due to hearing loss.

I love them, I have a mild hearing loss that wasn't picked up until my 20s but I like to take my hearing aids out when my pjs go on 🤷‍♀️ and always prefer subtitles even with them in

OP should definitely book a hearing test for her son! Oh the years I spent thinking everyone was mumbling and just needed to learn to speak properly

BaaCode · 26/08/2023 08:29

I was born profoundly deaf and subtitles are a godsend to me. If a programme or film doesn't have them then I can't watch it as I can't hear anything to follow it.
You become adept at watching and reading at the same time, so you're not missing any of the acting.
My husband has the hearing of a bat and he's so used to the subtitles being on that even he leaves them on if he's watching something alone.
The only time they're not on is for a sports match as I don't need them to work out what's going on.

BaaCode · 26/08/2023 08:30

I often think how great it would be if people came with speech bubbles too when they're talking to me 😂

Bubop · 26/08/2023 08:32

I watch TV with subtitles because I process written information better than speech. Regardless of why he wanted them on, I think it was quite selfish of you to turn them off. Surely it’s not a massive concession to make?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/08/2023 08:46

Why would you turn them off in response to your son telling you that he can't hear the speech on TV?

Would you remove handrails if he said he couldn't make it up the stairs without them? Replace a ramp with a step ladder? Hide a wheelchair because you didn't personally need it?

You're not just being illogical and unreasonable, you're being an ableist dick about it.

MumofSpud · 26/08/2023 09:09

I always use subtitles now (am 51) - too much mumbling and wrongly levelled background music!
Went to see Oppenheimer and really missed them!

Againlosinghope · 26/08/2023 09:10

@Sloelydoesit
Why would you switch them off?
He said he needed them so for what ever reason he needs subtitles (hearing loss, processing difficulty or other) it is unbelievably cruel to remove the aid that helps and thus create a barrier to his enjoyment and access to the tv show.

I need subtitles. This dismissal of an access need causes mental health issues for those of us with an invisible disability.
Would you remove a ramp if your child was in a wheelchair?

xyz111 · 26/08/2023 09:12

And mother of the year award goes to.... definitely not you! This is a troll post surely?!

SunRainStorm · 26/08/2023 09:16

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/08/2023 08:46

Why would you turn them off in response to your son telling you that he can't hear the speech on TV?

Would you remove handrails if he said he couldn't make it up the stairs without them? Replace a ramp with a step ladder? Hide a wheelchair because you didn't personally need it?

You're not just being illogical and unreasonable, you're being an ableist dick about it.

This is what I wanted to say, I just couldn't find the words.

Appalling to switch off an accessibility feature just because you don't personally need it.

MontyCCU · 26/08/2023 09:16

FindingMeno · 26/08/2023 05:33

I would get his hearing checked as a matter of course.
I am moderately deaf. Not age related and no apparent cause.
I suspect I have been for many years as I've always disliked phone calls, struggled in loud social settings and found accents difficult.
It may well not be the case that he has hearing problems, and subtitles are a thing with younger people now, but I would strongly suggest that a hearing test is a more appropriate response than simply turning the subtitles off.

This ⬆️. My hearing loss was not discovered when I was a child. My mother just thought I was 'away with the fairies'.

CateringPanic · 26/08/2023 09:30

Another one who prefers to watch things with subtitles. It’s like I can’t process what is being said properly without them - I hear it but I find it really difficult to follow the narrative especially if we are watching a drama where people speak quickly, dramatically or shout things to each other that turns out to be important later.

DH would prefer they weren’t on but he tolerates them because he wants us to enjoy a show together and he doesn’t think everything should always be to his preference

YouAreBeingUnbearable · 26/08/2023 09:58

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/08/2023 08:15

I do find sunny sometimes how they get words wrong and think they didn't say that

Wonder who writes the subtitles

Do they not get them from the script

My 6yr also likes them and will read them

Or when singing songs on you tube /films

Can be educational and help with kids reading

It’s mostly AI that “listens” and then writes the subtitles now - more mistakes now then when I was a kid and it was done by a human!

Dabadumm · 26/08/2023 10:04

I have to have the subtitles on to process what's going on, there's an interesting vox documentary on youtube about why more people need subtitles now.

Why we all need subtitles now

It's not you — the dialogue in TV and movies has gotten harder to hear.Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos: http://goo.gl/0bs...

https://youtu.be/VYJtb2YXae8?si=ccK-fcMNxlJEvLi_

Soubriquet · 26/08/2023 10:09

I’m severely deaf so I always have subtitles. Dd has no problems and prefers the subtitles.

Ds isn’t keen on them but he’s outvoted

HawnyThorn · 26/08/2023 10:15

I occasionally put subtitles on because I'm sensitive to noise and the way some programmes are sound engineered is you can go from very quiet speaking to lots of loud music or whatever within seconds.

So I'm either up and down the volume buttons trying to adjust to the scene or just have subs on.

mondaytosunday · 26/08/2023 10:39

Yes my daughter uses subtitles, but her hearing isn't perfect, and I agree they do mumble sometimes - before we had subtitles (we don't have them for everything) we'd often go back a few times as we couldn't understand what someone said no matter how many times we listened (and my hearing is fine).
She also watches a lot of Korean shows so I'd used to it.

Sigmama · 26/08/2023 11:10

I find them really distracting, unless watching something in another language

W0tnow · 26/08/2023 11:10

Subtitles ftw

Original poster
Sloelydoesit · 26/08/2023 11:13

Thanks everyone,

So it is a thing!
I find them incredibly distracting because I focus on the words and don't watch what is going on. TV has a decent soundbar because yes - inbuilt speakers these days are rubbish.
He hasn't always done it. Definitely a new thing. Was quite happy watching stuff in the past without. I'll get him a hearing check too.

I'll probably also go down that rabbit hole of links and videos about why it is a thing as well.

Not sure what to say about all the comments on how cruel I am. I'll have to think about that one!!

OP posts:
Dolores87 · 26/08/2023 11:15

I watch with subtitles most if the time as I think everyone mumbles and my auditory processing is quite poor.

I think you were unreasonable. If one person wants the subtitles on to help them follow the film they should go on.

MontyCCU · 26/08/2023 11:20

Sloelydoesit · 26/08/2023 11:13

Thanks everyone,

So it is a thing!
I find them incredibly distracting because I focus on the words and don't watch what is going on. TV has a decent soundbar because yes - inbuilt speakers these days are rubbish.
He hasn't always done it. Definitely a new thing. Was quite happy watching stuff in the past without. I'll get him a hearing check too.

I'll probably also go down that rabbit hole of links and videos about why it is a thing as well.

Not sure what to say about all the comments on how cruel I am. I'll have to think about that one!!

My hearing loss came after a virus so it's a good idea to get his hearing checked. You can change the size of the subtitles to make them less noticeable. Maybe that would be a good compromise? I don't think you're cruel btw.

Aprilx · 26/08/2023 11:22

I had no idea subtitles on was a thing. I find them annoying, I just read the subtitle and stop watching.

LylaLee · 26/08/2023 11:35

I always think people who are distracted by subtitles are maybe people who have struggled with reading. An average adult can take a sentence in at a glance, rather than actually reading each individual word to the extent of being distracted.

WellDuh · 26/08/2023 11:45

Got into the habit of having subtitles on as would often watch tv in bed then I'd fall asleep leaving exh watching the film with the sound down! Just forgot to turn them off! DC will often have them on too. As mentioned by pp, it's helped with his reading too!

felisha54 · 26/08/2023 11:49

I think kids are used to watching videos on Tik tok etc with no sound and subtitles.