Bilingual Subtitles in Streaming Media: Can we use them as a pedagogical tool?
What is it about?
Originally used for cinema productions in officially bilingual countries and international film festivals, bilingual subtitling has now resurfaced as a response to the growing affordances of streaming media. We witness its a proliferation of bilingual subtitling tools and practices in different contexts, from PC-based tools and Chrome extensions that add bilingual subtitle features to streaming platforms (Netflix, YouTube) to amateur (optionally bilingual) subtitling streaming services (Viki Rakuten), video sharing websites (Bilibili), and online channels with open bilingual subtitles embedded in their videos (Easy Languages). Bilingual subtitling is further promoted as a pedagogical tool for foreign-language learning that matches the expectations of contemporary learners, especially ‘digital natives’ who have grown up with new online modalities. The conventional ways in which audiences used to engage with audiovisual content have, arguably, been superseded as streaming platforms that offer an abundance of options in terms of language and content are gradually reshaping viewing patterns. Shifting away from long-established patterns of passive TV consumption,one can notice online collaborations and initiatives that seek to incorporate bilingual subtitles in language learning while promoting the active participation of the audience within the emerging media streaming landscape.
Why is it important?
Bilingual subtitles can facilitate foreign language learning by providing learners with a contextual bridge between their native language and the target language, enhancing comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Secondly, they can promote cultural awareness and sensitivity by exposing learners to the nuances of language and culture in authentic contexts. Additionally, such a study can help educators develop more effective teaching strategies and resources, ultimately improving the quality of language education and fostering greater linguistic diversity and inclusivity in educational settings.