Dub vs. Sub

Every time a TV series in the non-English language manages to break world records, different types of discussions pop all over the Internet. Recently, Squid Game perfectly fits this situation. But whenever a foreigner decides to watch a TV show which is not in English, one question crosses their mind. Should you watch the one in the original language with subtitles or the one dubbed in your native language? Which method is better?

Now, this is the hardest decision to undertake by a viewer. If you’ve never thought of this question before, it may seem a lot puzzling to you. It is because one could make for a better or worse experience than the other. Anyone who is a part of anime fandom can relate to how much this debate heats up. It is popular especially when a series breaks down the world records. This topic is far more complex than it seems.

As an animation fanatic, you may want to figure out which way is better and why. To get answers to your questions, you need to read along with this blog. So, let’s start without any further delay!

What does dub mean?

The word dub refers to the short word for ‘dubbing’. It is the process of recording the script of a film series or animation into a foreign language and then replacing it in the original movie. This is very common in live-action movies and shows too. But it is particularly more common in animation where there is less concern about the audio matching up with each character’s mouth movements.

A common example of dubbing is in Turkish dramas. Ertugul and other relevant Turkish dramas because of their popularity have dubbed versions into other languages like Urdu and many others to make sure the viewers understand the dialogues.

The word dub has origins in Hollywood in the late 1920s around the time when the first movie with sound was introduced. It comes from the word “double,” since the process of dubbing means creating a second vocal track. The main purpose of dubbing is to create ease for the viewers. When a writer writes and a director directs, they are doing so in ways they expect whatever message they are sending will be understood by the public.

And this mostly occurs through dialogue or narration. English dubs of anime can be great for English viewers. They can hear the characters speak in their language because they are more familiar with the language. And they can recognize the small quirks and changes in the tones of the voice actor.

In contemporary usage, “dub” has become synonymous with various musical and artistic practices, particularly within the realms of reggae, hip-hop, and electronic music. In the context of reggae music, “dub” refers to a subgenre characterized by remixing and manipulating existing tracks to create new versions with emphasis on instrumental elements and studio effects. Similarly, in hip-hop culture, “dub” may refer to the practice of creating instrumental versions of songs or adding vocal overlays to existing tracks.

In the realm of film and media, “dub” is often associated with the process of re-recording dialogue or adding voiceovers in a different language. This practice, known as “dubbing,” allows films and television shows to be distributed to audiences who speak different languages, ensuring accessibility and global reach. While dubbing is common in international cinema, it can sometimes be controversial, as it may alter the original artistic vision or tone of the work.

Beyond its more formal and technical meanings, “dub” is also used colloquially as slang in various contexts. In urban slang, “dub” may refer to a failure or disappointment, as in “taking a dub” or “catching a dub.” Additionally, “dub” is sometimes used as an abbreviation for the number 20, particularly in the context of street slang or hip-hop culture.

The word “dub” carries with it a sense of creativity, innovation, and cultural expression. Whether in the realm of music, film, or everyday conversation, “dub” embodies the dynamic nature of language and its capacity to adapt and evolve over time. From its humble origins in medieval knighthood to its contemporary associations with music production and global media, “dub” serves as a testament to the enduring power of language to shape and reflect human experience.

What does Sub mean?

The word sub refers to the short form of subtitles. These are the lines of text that appear at the bottom of the screen that translates the spoken dialogue into another language. Subtitles appear either as a script or a screenplay, commentary in films, television programs, video games, and a lot more. They can either be a form of written translation of a dialogue in a foreign language. Or it is a written rendering of the dialogue in the same language.

Subtitles have some origins in captions as accessibility tools for the deaf. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 because it helped in making physical structures more accessible to all.

With close captions on television, people can now read what is being said and differentiate who was talking. They could even read descriptions of music playing or background noise. These captioning tools can make the script a lot easier to understand for the viewers. The separate subtitles for DVD, Blu-ray, and DVB are visible only with the viewer’s choice. It is visible with the help of a menu or remote controller key. There are other forms in subtitles i.e. closed captions and same-language subtitling. Each of these creates feasibility for viewers of certain needs.

Why should you choose Dubs?

Since the film series and animations were introduced, dubbing has helped the albums in overcoming the language barriers. It makes the series popular all around the world. Dubbing frequently includes jokes, wordplay, expressions, and many other things that help convey the message, and actors sometimes spend weeks and even months figuring out ways to say a particular sentence. To be even more particular, a whole new way of conversing takes place through dubs.

If you are the type of person who cannot keep his eyes glued to the screen, dubbing is the option for you. Many people like watching while doing other things like checking their phones and shaping their nails. During all these activities, you are probably giving more attention to listening rather than watching. In all these criteria, you can choose the dubbed version of a series as it fits the criteria completely.

Why should you choose Subs?

Subbing should be the priority of some viewers as they do not want to spoil the actual nuance of the movie. Further, if you are the type of person that values art in its true and the most unaltered form, then you should go for the subtitles. It is because the directors and actors put so much effort to develop a film, and you can’t just ignore their efforts and prefers to hear a voice that is not of the actual actor. The fact that the more you watch international TV shows in their original language, you’ll be able to establish a closer connection with the story.

You can’t deny this fact. This happens because tone, emotion, and the way each sentence speaks an actor transcend the language barrier. Further,  a voice-over may not perfectly fit the actual character’s aura. This means that many other adaptations can make everything seem perfect. Apart from this, different platforms have different varying standards to access captions and subtitles. If you are considering the subs version, make sure to check that the subtitles are well-written, easy to read, and the text is formatted properly.

Dub vs. Sub: which is better?

Considering all the criteria, it can be seen that both dubbing and subbing have certain criteria’s and therefore it completely depends on the viewer to choose either of them. It is a matter of preferences. Since subtitles have many advantages, it is considered to be a more accurate and perfect way for foreign films. You can read the text in your native language and comprehend it.

The Anime community tends to prefer the Japanese version because they don’t want to mess up with its originality. And the American audiences can simply switch the subtitles option on to understand the dialogues. Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you can explore many other amazing films.

The dub over subs debate remarks in the history and it can be concluded with the fact that subs version is more popular. It is because the original actor should get the credit for putting so much effort into the series.

Further, this is the preferred decision of anime fans as well. English voice acting can make its place in popular anime shows, but it can still not fulfill the perfect match for Japanese voice actors. But as far as the topic is concerned for blind people, the dubbing process is a better option considering the target audience.