Subs vs dubs: watch things in other languages

Subs vs dubs – unless you’re an anime fan you may have never come across this phrase before. Subs vs dubs is the debate that has been going on for decades about whether subtitles or dubbing is the best way to watch things that were originally made in another language. Subtitles means you’re watching with the original language and audio, while dubbing means they’ve replaced the audio with a new recording of voice actors delivering the lines in your chosen language.

While anime is often what people are talking about when they think of subs vs dubs, there’s plenty of other media that utilises either subtitles or dubbing, making things accessible for other language speakers. If you watched the South Korean phenomenon, Squid Game on Netflix and don’t speak Korean, you may have had a preference between the translated subtitles or audio.

There are arguments for either side, though most people agree that subtitles, or subs, are generally the way to go. It really depends on how you like to consume your media. And for those of us who like to have subtitles on even when watching something in our own language – it’s a pretty easy choice.

Translated subtitles allow for an - at times – more faithful translation, without all the effort that has to be put into dubbing. When dubs are made, the script must be changed to best match the audio to mouth movement, the voice actor has to convey the same energy and tone as the original, and of course there’s the way that other languages can seem awkward when translated into English. Clumsy phrasing can really ruin a moment.

Sometimes subtitles also add extra information for terms that help the watcher understand the cultural meaning. These usually come up on the screen around the subtitles, which is perfect for things that have no direct translation or are too complicated to explain within the translation.

Watching something in the original language also gives you the opportunity to learn the language a little, or at least be more immersed in it. You might find yourself picking up a few phrases, or recognising words, the more you watch something in that language.

Another pro of subtitles is that for lesser-known anime, shows or movies that don’t have official translations, you may be able to find fan-made subtitles. From there, it’s an easy step to add them to the video so you can enjoy translated subtitles – but be aware that the accuracy of these are never guaranteed.

While subbing fans say that the translation can be more faithful to the original script, dubbing may lead to the watching experience feeling more faithful. As the legendary Hayao Miyazaki stated: "When you watch the subtitled version you are probably missing just as many things. There is a layer and a nuance you're not going to get. Film crosses so many borders these days. Of course, it is going to be distorted."

Dubbing also gives you the freedom to multitask while watching. While subtitles demand your full attention and ability to read the subtitles at all times, dubbing lets you watch how you normally would, especially if you need to do something else at the same time or you occasionally look away to check your phone. It’s surprisingly easy to forget while watching with subtitles that you can’t actually understand the language and glance away, causing you to miss a line or two.

At the end of the day, subs and dubs both have their strengths and are great for different reasons. For those who have hearing or visual impairments, the answer of subs or dubs falls into which one best supports their needs. So, while people may have a preference it doesn’t mean the other option doesn’t have value.

Either way, a well-made dub or sub doesn’t just translate things word for word but preserves the cultural meaning behind the dialogue. The most important aspect is the quality of the translation, which subtitles do have more flexibility with. A poorly voice-acted dub is no one’s preference.

A range of foreign films and shows - some dubbed some subbed - is available on Optus SubHub where you can manage all your streaming platforms in place.