一些研究顯示，超過半數的美國電視觀眾在觀看節目時會一直使用字幕，為什麼越來越多的人選擇開字幕看電視？開字幕看電視有什麼好處？本文圍繞影視節目中字幕存在的重要性展開討論。
字彙：media production 媒體製作
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.
字彙表
viewers 觀眾
hearing impairment 聽覺障礙
digital sound production 數位聲音製作
natural 自然的
vocal performance 聲樂表演
audio director 音訊導演
dramatic soundscape 戲劇化的聲景
dialogue 對話
unintelligible 無法理解的
audible 聽得見的，可以聽到的
distracting 分散注意力的
spoiler 劇透
unclear 不清楚的
audio track 音軌
same-language subtitles 同語言字幕
enable 使…可能
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
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. 選擇意思恰當的單字或片語來完成下列句子。
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. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
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. 選擇意思恰當的單字或片語來完成下列句子。
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.
