Subtitles

[tree_]

For me it's simple: if I am able to understand the language, I prefer to use my eyes to admire the frame. Composition, light, colors. What these elements say about the characters, the story, or the themes. With subtitles I can still do this, but my eyes are continually darting back to the bottom center of the screen to read, so there's just naturally less time for it

I don't find this difficult to do at all. Usually I'll read what the character is about to say and then watch them say it. But maybe I'm way faster at reading than you.

For comedies especially, I don't like reading the punchline before hearing the character say it.

It's a more involved way for me to enjoy a movie. Like, how I read it comes first, and then I give the actor a chance to surprise me.

[Jorge]

Sounds bad but to each their own

[Jorge]

My ex couldn't watch anything without subtitles on, and she was a native English speaker. I thought it was that her ears were busted

[contamination]

I prefer not to use them, because then I'm reading the words instead of looking at the beautiful visuals or actors' facial expressions, etc.

But if I don't understand something, I'll go back and turn them on, then turn them back off. If I keep having to do that, I'll just leave them on.

Not sure if subtitles are somehow a new thing for you Americans, but as a someone who's used to read them since the day I learned how to read (we've always had movies and tv-shows in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, French, German etc. on tv) I don't feel like they distract me from anything. Subtitles were also probably a big reason why I wanted to learn how to read as soon as possible when I was a kid.

How dare you!

I am Canadian, good sir.

my sincerest apologies to you sir.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I’m very accurate at guessing the next line, so I suppose I don’t really need them.

[tree_]

I’m very accurate at guessing the next line, so I suppose I don’t really need them.

Have you taken any Are You Psychic questionnaires? You may be psychic.

[Ello Sailor]

Jorge should be commended for his patience with tree_ in this thread. One the latter's more spergy performances.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I’m very accurate at guessing the next line, so I suppose I don’t really need them.

Have you taken any Are You Psychic questionnaires? You may be psychic.

I took it right after my post and before yours, in measured anticipation.

[Anders]

I prefer having subtitles on, no matter the language (I have no problem understanding spoken English or any Scandinavian language), so even use it for Norwegian movies.

[Ello Sailor]

I'm deeply disturbed by anyone who has subtitles on by default.

[VinylGuy]

I'm deeply disturbed by anyone who has subtitles on by default.

Im deeply disturbed for those who actually prefer to watch it dubbed

[Anders]

Dubbed is awful.

[bart]

Lots of young people seem to prefer subtitles on everything. I think it’s something to do with anxiety.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Lots of young people seem to prefer subtitles on everything. I think it’s something to do with anxiety.

Are you 47?

[bart]

Lots of young people seem to prefer subtitles on everything. I think it’s something to do with anxiety.

Are you 47?

no

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Lots of young people seem to prefer subtitles on everything. I think it’s something to do with anxiety.

Are you 47?

no

Happy birthday.

[Anders]

I vastly prefer if the subtitles are in the same language as the spoken one, if I understand that language. So with English speaking movies, I use the subtitles in English.