Dubbing and subtitling: What are the differences?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:56 am
The eternal debate between dubbing and subtitling has divided film and television fans for ages. Which of these methods is the best? How do they differ?
In this article, we will discuss what subtitling and dubbing entail in different professional sectors. We will also talk about their distinctive features, their purposes and the job opportunities they offer. So, if you are considering studying the Master in Audiovisual Translation at the European University, it will give you the necessary training to face the job challenges of this field.
Features of subtitling and dubbing
Although sound films did not begin until the late 1920s, subtitling was already a part of films due to the intertitles in silent films. In 1927, after the release of the first film in overseas chinese in worldwide database history with dialogue, The Jazz Singer , a debate and a need arose.
Dubbing is a technique that has evolved over time . It dates back to 1928, and is attributed to Edwin Hopkins and Jacob Karol. The first film to be dubbed (in German, specifically) was The Night Flyer . At that time, it was essential that the actors spoke in the language of the audience, given the high rate of illiteracy and the limited understanding of foreign languages.
In 1929, the first Spanish dubbing was done with the film Río Rita , although not all the dubbing actors were Spanish. It was in 1931 when a film with Spanish actors was completely dubbed: Entre la espada y la pared . The dubbing industry in Spain grew rapidly, and its evolution continued with the appearance of the first dubbing studios in the country in 1933 and 1934.
Today, almost all audiovisual works that reach us from other countries are still dubbed. However, there has been a significant growth in the number of viewers who prefer the alternative of subtitles.
What is dubbing?
Dubbing is a technique that involves replacing the original audio track of a content with a new recording in another language. This recording is preceded by a translation and adaptation process . Professional voice actors interpret the characters' dialogues, trying to synchronize their voices with the lip movements of the actors in the original version. Dubbing has several advantages :
Accessibility: Dubbing allows a wider audience to enjoy content without having to read subtitles. This is especially helpful for people with visual impairments or for audiences who prefer a more relaxed viewing experience.
Immersion: By removing the language barrier, dubbing can help viewers dive deeper into the plot and characters as they don't have to be distracted by reading subtitles.
However, dubbing also has its disadvantages :
Loss of authenticity: Sometimes, voice actors' performances in dubbing may not fully capture the essence of the original character. This can result in the loss of cultural nuances and nuances.
Lip Sync: Achieving perfect lip sync in dubbing can be a challenge, sometimes resulting in dialogue that doesn't match the actors' lip movements.
What is subtitling?
Subtitling is a technique that involves inserting text at the bottom of the screen to translate the original dialogue . Unlike dubbing, the original audio track is kept intact. Subtitling offers its own advantages :
Preserving authenticity: Subtitling allows viewers to hear the actors’ original voices and capture the nuances of their performances. This is especially important in films and series where acting is key.
Lower cost: Compared to dubbing, subtitling is usually cheaper, as it does not require hiring voice actors or making expensive recordings.
However, there are also disadvantages to subtitling:
Reading requirement: Subtitling requires viewers to read text while looking at the screen, which can result in a less immersive experience and become a barrier for some.
Linguistic limitation: Subtitling may be ineffective for audiences who do not understand the original language of the film or series .
Training opportunities in dubbing and subtitling
A career in dubbing, subtitling and translation opens the doors to a constantly growing job market. Due to the rise of streaming and the expansion of international productions, you can train to work in:
Producers.
Distributors.
Sound studies.
Performing translation and subtitling tasks independently.
If you want to know more about your training options, we invite you to explore educational programs such as the Online Degree in Translation and Interpreting and the Degree in Intercultural Translation and Interpreting in Valencia, as well as the other Masters in Translation offered by the European University.
In this article, we will discuss what subtitling and dubbing entail in different professional sectors. We will also talk about their distinctive features, their purposes and the job opportunities they offer. So, if you are considering studying the Master in Audiovisual Translation at the European University, it will give you the necessary training to face the job challenges of this field.
Features of subtitling and dubbing
Although sound films did not begin until the late 1920s, subtitling was already a part of films due to the intertitles in silent films. In 1927, after the release of the first film in overseas chinese in worldwide database history with dialogue, The Jazz Singer , a debate and a need arose.
Dubbing is a technique that has evolved over time . It dates back to 1928, and is attributed to Edwin Hopkins and Jacob Karol. The first film to be dubbed (in German, specifically) was The Night Flyer . At that time, it was essential that the actors spoke in the language of the audience, given the high rate of illiteracy and the limited understanding of foreign languages.
In 1929, the first Spanish dubbing was done with the film Río Rita , although not all the dubbing actors were Spanish. It was in 1931 when a film with Spanish actors was completely dubbed: Entre la espada y la pared . The dubbing industry in Spain grew rapidly, and its evolution continued with the appearance of the first dubbing studios in the country in 1933 and 1934.
Today, almost all audiovisual works that reach us from other countries are still dubbed. However, there has been a significant growth in the number of viewers who prefer the alternative of subtitles.
What is dubbing?
Dubbing is a technique that involves replacing the original audio track of a content with a new recording in another language. This recording is preceded by a translation and adaptation process . Professional voice actors interpret the characters' dialogues, trying to synchronize their voices with the lip movements of the actors in the original version. Dubbing has several advantages :
Accessibility: Dubbing allows a wider audience to enjoy content without having to read subtitles. This is especially helpful for people with visual impairments or for audiences who prefer a more relaxed viewing experience.
Immersion: By removing the language barrier, dubbing can help viewers dive deeper into the plot and characters as they don't have to be distracted by reading subtitles.
However, dubbing also has its disadvantages :
Loss of authenticity: Sometimes, voice actors' performances in dubbing may not fully capture the essence of the original character. This can result in the loss of cultural nuances and nuances.
Lip Sync: Achieving perfect lip sync in dubbing can be a challenge, sometimes resulting in dialogue that doesn't match the actors' lip movements.
What is subtitling?
Subtitling is a technique that involves inserting text at the bottom of the screen to translate the original dialogue . Unlike dubbing, the original audio track is kept intact. Subtitling offers its own advantages :
Preserving authenticity: Subtitling allows viewers to hear the actors’ original voices and capture the nuances of their performances. This is especially important in films and series where acting is key.
Lower cost: Compared to dubbing, subtitling is usually cheaper, as it does not require hiring voice actors or making expensive recordings.
However, there are also disadvantages to subtitling:
Reading requirement: Subtitling requires viewers to read text while looking at the screen, which can result in a less immersive experience and become a barrier for some.
Linguistic limitation: Subtitling may be ineffective for audiences who do not understand the original language of the film or series .
Training opportunities in dubbing and subtitling
A career in dubbing, subtitling and translation opens the doors to a constantly growing job market. Due to the rise of streaming and the expansion of international productions, you can train to work in:
Producers.
Distributors.
Sound studies.
Performing translation and subtitling tasks independently.
If you want to know more about your training options, we invite you to explore educational programs such as the Online Degree in Translation and Interpreting and the Degree in Intercultural Translation and Interpreting in Valencia, as well as the other Masters in Translation offered by the European University.