You open Netflix, choose a movie that caught your attention, and suddenly, subtitles appear on the screen. Have you ever wondered when subtitles were created? Are there other options besides subtitles?
Since the introduction of sound in films in 1927, translation has been essential for audiences worldwide. While some countries adopted subtitling, others, like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, turned to dubbing. But what exactly is dubbing, and is it better than subtitling? Let’s break it down!
What is Dubbing?
Understanding Dubbing
Dubbing is the re-recording of original dialogue into a different language while synchronizing the new audio track with the video. This process allows viewers to watch a film or show in their native language without needing to read subtitles.
There are several types of dubbing, including:
- Dubbing in Films and TV Shows – Foreign movies and series are often dubbed into local languages.
- Dubbing in Music – Songs and lyrics are translated and re-recorded.
- Dubbing in Video Games – Many video games are dubbed to enhance the player’s immersive experience.
Dubbing aims to match the lip movements of actors while maintaining the original tone and emotion of the dialogue.
What is Subtitling?
Understanding Subtitling
Subtitling is the process of adding text to a video, displaying the spoken dialogue in written form. This technique is widely used in films, TV shows, promotional videos, and online content.
There are two main types of subtitling:
- Intralingual Subtitling – Subtitles appear in the same language as the spoken dialogue.
- Interlingual Subtitling – Subtitles are translated into a different language.
Think of subtitles as the video equivalent of captions on Instagram—they help audiences understand the content better, even if they don’t speak the original language.
Dubbing and Subtitling in Today’s World
How Streaming Platforms are Adapting
As the demand for international content grows, streaming platforms like Netflix have invested heavily in both dubbing and subtitling.
According to The New York Times (July 19, 2019), Netflix has been actively recruiting actors and filmmakers to improve the quality of their English-language dubbing for foreign shows. Their goal is to make dubbing so seamless that American audiences prefer it over subtitles.
The Growth of Language Localization
Netflix has expanded its localization efforts, as stated by Kathy Rokni, Director of Globalization at Netflix:
- In two years, Netflix added more languages to its platform.
- They now offer content in 27 languages.
- Their subscriber base grew by nearly 50%, reaching 149 million users.
According to Television Business International (TBI), the dubbing industry has grown exponentially. In 2010, dubbing made up just 3% of BTI Studios’ revenue, but by 2018, it skyrocketed to 61%. This massive shift shows how businesses are recognizing the importance of dubbing for global expansion.
Which One is Better – Dubbing or Subtitling?
Benefits of Dubbing
- No text distractions – Viewers can focus on the visuals without reading subtitles.
- Dialogues stay intact – No need for abbreviations or truncated sentences.
- More immersive experience – The voice synchronization makes it feel natural.
However, dubbing is expensive and time-consuming, as it requires professional voice actors, studios, and sound engineers.
Benefits of Subtitling
- SEO Advantage – Search engines cannot “hear” videos, but they can read subtitles. Adding subtitles improves video rankings on platforms like YouTube and Google.
- Cost-Effective – Subtitling is cheaper and faster to implement than dubbing.
- Better Language Learning – Studies show that students from “subtitling countries” are better listeners than those from “dubbing countries”.
So, which should you choose? It depends on personal preference! Some prefer dubbing for its natural flow, while others appreciate subtitles for authenticity and language learning.
Get Professional Dubbing & Subtitling Services
At Lingual Consultancy, we offer professional dubbing services in 100+ languages, with a network of over 2,000 dubbing artists and partner studios in 50+ countries. We also specialize in high-quality subtitling, ensuring grammatically accurate and well-timed subtitles for global audiences.
Need dubbing or subtitling services? Contact Lingual Consultancy Services today!
