When you watch a Spanish-language movie, use Spanish, not English, subtitles

[Tomisimo]

I just ran across this article Foreign Subtitles Help but Native-Language Subtitles Harm Foreign Speech Perception. It's longish but interesting and if you don't have time, just read the abstract. Basically what's going on is if you watch a foreign language movie for the purpose of learning that language, and you want to have subtitles, put the subtitles in the same language as is being spoken, instead of having the subtitles in your native language.

[Perikles]

Is there such a thing as a Spanish-language movie? I have never seen one, not even on Spanish TV. Everything is American with really bad dubbing.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Is there such a thing as a Spanish-language movie? I have never seen one, not even on Spanish TV. Everything is American with really bad dubbing.

What do you mean?

There aren't any Spanish movies available that you can watch where you live?

[Tomisimo]

I've seen more than a few movies of Spanish, Mexican, and Argentinian origin, filmed in Spanish. However I do have to agree that Hollywood is pretty dominant.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

I've seen more than a few movies of Spanish, Mexican, and Argentinian origin, filmed in Spanish. However I do have to agree that Hollywood is pretty dominant.

Yes, dominant...

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

There aren't any Spanish movies available that you can watch where you live?

None that I know of.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

None that I know of.

Well, at least they are "imported"

[CrOtALiTo]

I use both language when I watch movies in the TV.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Perikles: It seems you'll have to turn to the closest videoclub.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

@Perikles: It seems you'll have to turn to the closest videoclub.

A nice idea, but we don't have a video machine.

[tacuba]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Is there such a thing as a Spanish-language movie? I have never seen one, not even on Spanish TV. Everything is American with really bad dubbing.

Wow, I'm very surprised. Check these out:

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link...rd_i=355667011

[Jessica]

If I use Spanish subtitles I won't understand...:/ but it will help me

[tacuba]

Originally Posted by Jessica

If I use Spanish subtitles I won't understand...:/ but it will help me

But you'll start to associate sounds with words. When you listen to a movie it can sound like this: "Habléconélayerymedijoquevastaraquíestanoch e."
But with the subtitles you will see: "Hablé con él ayer y me dijo que va a estar aquí esta noche", and so your brain will begin to associate words with sounds. This is a great way to improve listening skills.

[chileno]

My idea on this is that you have to just listen and let your brain "connect" with the action you are seeing. :-)

If you want to read, read a book, that later your brain will "connect" the word that have been red with those that are being heard.

I did it.

I might not have enough education, however I have been able to manage in English in less time than a lot of learned people have. And I mean, a lot less time.

I know my last statement will make some cringe from it...

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by chileno

My idea on this is that you have to just listen and let your brain "connect" with the action you are seeing. :-)

If you want to read, read a book, that later your brain will "connect" the word that have been red with those that are being heard.

I did it.

I might not have enough education, however I have been able to manage in English in less time than a lot learned people have. And I mean, a lot less time.

I know my last statement will make some cringe from it...

Partner I haven't told you this, but you're intelligent, you have sufficient education.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Is there such a thing as a Spanish-language movie? I have never seen one, not even on Spanish TV. Everything is American with really bad dubbing.

You can see many Spanish subtitled programs with the TDT menu (I guess you've got already it)

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

You can see many Spanish subtitled programs with the TDT menu (I guess you've got already it)

Sadly, the TDT signal here is so bad we can usually only get the Canarian channels with any degree of quality.

Originally Posted by tacuba

Wow, I'm very surprised. Check these out:

Thanks for that, will do.

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by Perikles

A nice idea, but we don't have a video machine.

You can buy a cheap DVD player for about €20.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by pjt33

You can buy a cheap DVD player for about €20.

Yes, but I don't know where I could hire Spanish DVDs.

[hermit]

Back when first learning to speak Spanish, I found movies in Spanish with
English subtitles to be a big help.

At this point, I like to watch films with both dialogue and subtitles in
Spanish - that's a help when local dialect in the film is unfamiliar to me.

A bit like a North American trying to decipher Cockney English...