With or without subtitles ?

Question

Hi Guys

Quick question: Do you think one should use subtitles when watching Spanish movies or not ? I've already completed 3 levels in Spanish, but when it comes to movies I can hardly understand anything without subtitles. In order for that to change and "adjust" to listening to Spanish, would watching movies without subtitles help me get there faster ? Of course, when I have the subtitles I can make out a lot more of what is being said in Spanish, but still...I need some advice.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi, Diana. Welcome to the Q&A forum!

This question was just asked recently. Let me see if I can find my response....

Here it is:

--Mariana-- I think at first it's really good practice to have the subtitles because you are reading AND hearing the dialog. You will benefit a lot from this method.

When you feel more confident, turn them off and try to understand just the gist of the conversations--don't focus on every single word or you'll miss what's going on.

As Katzens says, with subtitles you miss facial expressions, subtle clues as to relationships going on, etc. So, as soon as you can...get rid of them.

connotations in voice y facial expressions seem to make most words clear to the ear, henceforth the meanings of phrases become automatic with a lot of exposure. - HowardO, May 12, 2012

SO TRUE!!!!!!!!! "don't focus on every single word or you'll miss what's going on." - sinsonte, May 12, 2012

Where is the '10 votes up' button? - sinsonte, May 12, 2012

Answer 2

I watch spanish programs without subtitles and that's because I understand most of what is said. However, each one of us has to do what works best for them.

My problem is that my hearing is not as good as it used to be. Thankfully, I have DVR, so I can stop the program, reverse, put it on mute, and then I can read in Spanish, what they were saying. Also, if I don't understand a word I read on the TV, I can look it up in the dictionary, or the SD app on my Iphone.

If the subtitles are in English and you can read what is on the screen, are you understanding the plot in English, in Spanish, or both? If you can get Spanish subtitles instead of English, then you may pick up many of the words and phrases, and a better understanding of how the Spanish sentences are formed. Of course, I can only make suggestions. You have to decide what works for you.

Spanish subtiles are the bomb!!! - HowardO, May 12, 2012

DVR would have been gold! I wasn't learning Spanish when I had it... sad really. - sinsonte, May 12, 2012

Answer 3

Thanks for the answers.

@Marina-It is true that when having the subtitles it is easier to understand what is being said in Spanish. I've also noticed that when I watch series I've already seen I can understand most of the stuff they say.

@Nilda-I understand the plot in both Spanish and English, it's a weird connection that the human brain makes there

I am going to hang on to the subtitles for the time being and may be see an occasional movie without them.

Since we're on the listening topic, in your opinion ,how much does listening to Spanish affect learning to talk and even think in the language ?

I guess that was the point I was trying to make. Listening to Spanish does help me learn how to write and speak the language. Seeing the Spanish words on the screen helps me with spelling of words I don't know. - Nilda-Ballardo, May 12, 2012

Good advice. Thanks again. I'm going to try using spanish subtitles. - diana8victoria, May 13, 2012