2024-05-06 Why subtitles matter 为什么字幕很重要？

一些研究表明，超过半数的美国电视观众在观看节目时会一直使用字幕。为什么越来越多的人选择开字幕看电视？开字幕看电视有什么好处？本文围绕影视节目中字幕存在的重要性展开讨论。

词汇：media production 媒体制作

Over half of American TV viewers now use subtitles whenever they watch TV, according to survey company YouGov. This trend is even more noticeable in viewers under 30. Subtitles have long been used to help people with hearing impairments or to allow people to watch films in a different language, but why has their use become so widespread?

The reasons for this are both technical and social. Advances in digital sound production and microphones mean that actors can be more natural in their vocal performance, while at the same time audio directors are able to make more and more dramatic soundscapes. Combined with the much smaller speakers contained in modern TV sets, this can all make dialogue seem unintelligible.

Smartphones may play a role. We are used to subtitled social media videos that can be watched without headphones. Smartphones also allow us to watch film and TV in public places where they are not easily audible.  Another social reason could be the increased appetite for programmes in other languages accessible through international streaming services.

While some viewers may consider subtitles to be distracting, or worry about the potential for spoilers, they don’t just help with unclear audio. A number of studies have suggested that subtitles could help people to increase their vocabulary and boost their listening skills in languages that they do not currently speak.

This may be particularly effective when subtitles are in the same language as the audio track of the programme. Same-language subtitles have also been shown to help young children develop their reading skills in their first language, to the point where campaigners have suggested enabling subtitles on all children’s programmes by default.

词汇表

viewers 观众
hearing impairment 听觉障碍
digital sound production 数字声音制作
natural 自然的
vocal performance 声乐表演
audio director 音频导演
dramatic soundscape 戏剧化的声景
dialogue 对话
unintelligible 无法理解的
audible 听得见的，可以听到的
distracting 分散注意力的
spoiler 剧透
unclear 不清楚的
audio track 音轨
same-language subtitles 同语言字幕
enable 使…可能

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Who are more likely to use subtitles when they watch TV?

2. How have actors’ performances changed?

3. Why are social media videos often subtitled?

4. True or False? Subtitles only help people understand unclear audio.

5. What are campaigners suggesting could help develop children’s reading skills?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Subtitles help people with _______ enjoy films and TV programmes.

dialogue                hearing impairments             audio directors               audio tracks

2. The singer gave an amazing _______.

spoiler                   audio track                           dramatic soundscape     vocal performance

3. Some people buy expensive speakers to make dialogue more _______.

audible                  unintelligible                         distracting                       unclear

4. She found the sound of rain against the window very _______ while she was working.

unintelligible          unclear                                 distracting                       vocal

5. The sounds of wild animals made a _______ for the wildlife documentary.

dialogue                dramatic soundscape           spoiler                           vocal performance

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. Who are more likely to use subtitles when they watch TV?

People under 30.

2. How have actors’ performances changed?

They can give more natural vocal performances.

3. Why are social media videos often subtitled?

So they can be enjoyed without headphones.

4. True or False? Subtitles only help people understand unclear audio.

False. Subtitles can help people develop their vocabulary and reading skills.

5. What are campaigners suggesting could help develop children’s reading skills?

Enabling subtitles on children’s programmes by default.

2.选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Subtitles help people with hearing impairments enjoy films and TV programmes.

2. The singer gave an amazing vocal performance.

3. Some people buy expensive speakers to make dialogue more audible.

4. She found the sound of rain against the window very distracting while she was working.

5. The sounds of wild animals made a dramatic soundscape for the wildlife documentary.