Netflix Subtitles is one of the most used tool by people to access foreign language content. But is it as reliable as we think

How Accurate Are Netflix Subtitles? Can You Trust Them?

The main reason we love Netflix is because of its diverse content. They probably
have enough content from all the inhabitant continents to keep the whole world
entertained if need be. And for those who do not speak multiple languages—like
us—we depend solely on the subtitles that Netflix ever so kindly provides with
every show. But there has been a hot debate to test the validity of Netflix’s
subtitle for a long time. Thus, the question arises: Are Netflix’s subtitles
reliable for most shows?

Let us try to find out if relying only on subtitles is a mistake we have all
been making for so long.


ARE NETFLIX’S SUBTITLES RELIABLE FOR MOST SHOWS?

We all love the anime collection Netflix has, and not the quasi anime’s like
Castlevania alone. We also love the traditional Japanese anime’s like Demon
Slayer [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/demon-slayer] and Komi Can’t Communicate
[https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/komi-cant-communicate]. And we are safe to say
that majority of us watch these amazing Japanese shows in either dubbing or with
subtitles (no judgment here).

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Now, as we do not speak or read Japanese, we cannot legitimize the validity of
the subtitles. However, Reddit user u/ryuk0tsuki
[https://www.reddit.com/user/ryuk0tsuki/] is taking one for the team. Since he
is learning Japanese, he now watches a bunch of shows in Japanese dubbing or
with Japanese subtitles. And finds the subtitles problematic.

“おい やめろ,” but the subtitles will only include やめろ,” says the user, explaining
how the subtitles sometimes just omit some characters. The user then gave a
reasonable explanation that to rely completely on subtitles, one should make
sure that the captioning of scenes is done in Japan itself. This will make sure
that the essence of dialogues is not lost in translation.

However, another Reddit user Susurrus03
[https://www.reddit.com/user/Susurrus03/] was quick to defend Netflix. The
user’s wife is Japanese and claims that the couple has never had any problems
with the subtitles.

ALSO READ: The Netflix Dating Express – Here are The Best Dating Shows on
Netflix You Must Not Miss [https://netflixjunkie.com/dating-shows-on-netflix/]


NETFLIX’S POPULAR SQUID GAMES ALSO HAD SUBTITLE ISSUES

Until recently, foreign language films and television programs in
English-speaking nations drew very limited viewership. However, since the
emergence of streaming services like Netflix
[https://netflixjunkie.com/category/news/] and Amazon Prime, cross-border
productions have grown in popularity.

And this popularity skyrocketed when Squid Game
[https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/squid-game/] premiered on Netflix. A few years
ago, it was impossible to think of a foreign language show to reach the level of
success that Squid Game did
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-squid-game-becomes-first-ever-non-english-nominee-at-sag-awards-2022-bags-3-nominations/].
However, as soon as the show’s popularity grew, many Korean speakers showed
their resentment to the translation of some dialogues from the show.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg.webp

The most prominent complaint was when in Episode 8, Sang-woo tells Gi-hun,
“[You] always have to get in trouble to know it’s trouble.” Korena speakers who
saw the show were uneasy with the poor translation of the original phrase. Which
should be something like, “you need to eat something before you can tell whether
it is shit or doenjang.”

Now obviously, all of us do not know about doenjang (doenjang is a brown paste
prepared with salt and fermented soybeans). This could be why doenjang remained
missing in the translation. It is a cultural reference to the Koreans that the
rest of the world might not understand.

ALSO READ: From Andrew Garfield’s ‘tick, tick…Boom!’ to Hugh Jackman’s ‘Les
Misérables’, Celebrate World Theatre Day With These Netflix Titles
[https://netflixjunkie.com/from-andrew-garfields-tick-tickboom-to-hugh-jackmans-les-miserables-celebrate-world-theatre-day-with-these-netflix-titles/]

Another complaint, and this one being rather embarrassing on Netflix’s part, is
that in the show, “Oppa” which means older brother was dubbed as “old man” and
“babe” in the subtitles. In eastern Asian languages, older siblings and elders
who are outside of the family have specific terms. So you cannot translate them
accurately no matter what. But in no sense can Oppa mean Babe.

Now that foreign shows are getting attention and appreciation they so rightly
deserve, Netflix needs to put in the time, effort, and finance on upping their
subtitle game. And in their defense even with these translation issues, Squid
Game‘s popularity had no reduction whatsoever. It went on to receive great
accolades
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-i-think-its-just-the-beginning-says-lee-jung-jae-on-squid-games-historic-win-at-the-sag/]
and love from the fans.


SHOWS WHERE NETFLIX SUBTITLES FAILED BADLY

To be honest we are wholly dependent on subtitles to watch foreign content. This
means, for better or worse, we cannot complain about the quality of translation
that much. However, our dependence should be an indication for Netflix to take
the job of translation more seriously. But that does not seem the case, even
with some of Netflix’s most important films.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

According to an article released by ATAA, Alfonso Cuarón‘s Roma, which won
Netflix its first Oscar, lost its essence when subtitled in French. The movie
had been “turned into a tragi-comic farce,” according to the group, with strings
of phrases devoid of verbs or articles and people swinging between contemporary
slang and 19th century French at random.

Another case of embarrassing and confusing translation was with Derry Girls’
Japanese translation. In the scene “I couldn’t manage my Chinese last night,”
one character says after the family dog is reportedly dead. But Japanese viewers
got this: “I couldn’t pronounce the Chinese language last night.”

A reason for these issues can be the way translators get the material. For
example, while translating Squid Games in French, the translators received
scripts already translated to English. Meaning any mistake in the English script
trickled down to the French one.

ALSO READ: Best True Crime Documentaries Available On Netflix, Amazon Prime,
Hulu, and HBO Max
[https://netflixjunkie.com/best-true-crime-documentaries-available-on-netflix-amazon-prime-hulu-and-hbo-max/]


MOST ANIME SHOWS ON NETFLIX HAVE HORRIBLE SUBTITLES

We have established enough that some of the translations by Netflix are really
disappointing. But why is that the case? Let us try to find out the reason
behind such a blunder by a billion-dollar company like Netflix
[https://netflixjunkie.com/category/originaks].

The most prominent case has to be that the translating industry is an overworked
but underpaid one. Translators usually get $255
[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/why-are-netflix-subtitles-so-bad-1235043051/]
for a 110-minute film for a local streaming service. This low compensation,
along with tight deadlines, can lead to substandard work. Moreover, the
condition of the industry has worsened since Netflix entered the scene in 2015.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

According to Jason Gray a veteran of the industry, “Fees have fallen by about 25
percent for very experienced subtitlers but nearly halved for entry-level
work.” 

In Japan, agencies that function as middlemen, contracting with streamers and
farming out the job to freelancers, manage a vast volume of subtitling business.
As a result of the agreement, actual workers receive lowered pay.

To sum up our whole research and to quote the movie Paterson, “Poetry in
translations is like taking a shower with a raincoat on”. So, no matter how good
the translation is some of the original work will not make it.

But Netflix needs to invest more in translators so that the viewing experience
of the audience remains undiminished.

Baheen Qadri

Comment

How Accurate Are Netflix Subtitles? Can You Trust Them? - Netflix Junkie

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Baheen Qadri is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie. Currently, he is pursuing BA in Mass comm Hons from SCMC Pune. He loves binge-watching films and TV series on Netflix. He is passionate about making films and watches movies from different corners of the world to better understand the field of cinema in his free time. He also loves animes and is currently hooked on the new Demon Slayer season. One of his favorite thrillers on Netflix is Shutter Island. The film always gives him goosebumps. Apart from thrillers, he also loves sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Office. Being a huge movie buff, he is a tough competition on movie trivia nights.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-how-accurate-are-netflix-subtitles-can-you-trust-them

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The main reason we love Netflix is because of its diverse content. They probably have enough content from all the inhabitant continents to keep the whole world entertained if need be. And for those who do not speak multiple languages—like us—we depend solely on the subtitles that Netflix ever so kindly provides with every show. But there has been a hot debate to test the validity of Netflix&#8217;s subtitle for a long time. Thus, the question arises: Are Netflix&#8217;s subtitles reliable for most shows?
Let us try to find out if relying only on subtitles is a mistake we have all been making for so long.
<h2>Are Netflix&#8217;s subtitles reliable for most shows?</h2>
We all love the anime collection Netflix has, and not the quasi anime&#8217;s like Castlevania alone. We also love the traditional Japanese anime&#8217;s like <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/demon-slayer">Demon Slayer</a> and <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/komi-cant-communicate">Komi Can&#8217;t Communicate</a>. And we are safe to say that majority of us watch these amazing Japanese shows in either dubbing or with subtitles (no judgment here).
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25200 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Best_Anime_Subtitle_Download_Site.png" alt="" width="1438" height="802" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Best_Anime_Subtitle_Download_Site.png 1438w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Best_Anime_Subtitle_Download_Site-300x167.png 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Best_Anime_Subtitle_Download_Site-1024x571.png 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Best_Anime_Subtitle_Download_Site-768x428.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1438px) 100vw, 1438px" />
Now, as we do not speak or read Japanese, we cannot legitimize the validity of the subtitles. However, Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/ryuk0tsuki/">u/ryuk0tsuki</a> is taking one for the team. Since he is learning Japanese, he now watches a bunch of shows in Japanese dubbing or with Japanese subtitles. And finds the subtitles problematic.
&#8220;おい やめろ,&#8221; but the subtitles will only include やめろ,&#8221; says the user, explaining how the subtitles sometimes just omit some characters. The user then gave a reasonable explanation that to rely completely on subtitles, one should make sure that the captioning of scenes is done in Japan itself. This will make sure that the essence of dialogues is not lost in translation.
However, another Reddit user <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Susurrus03/">Susurrus03</a> was quick to defend Netflix. The user&#8217;s wife is Japanese and claims that the couple has never had any problems with the subtitles.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/dating-shows-on-netflix/">The Netflix Dating Express – Here are The Best Dating Shows on Netflix You Must Not Miss</a>
<h2>Netflix&#8217;s Popular Squid Games also had Subtitle issues</h2>
Until recently, foreign language films and television programs in English-speaking nations drew very limited viewership. However, since the emergence of streaming services like <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/category/news/">Netflix</a> and Amazon Prime, cross-border productions have grown in popularity.
And this popularity skyrocketed when<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/squid-game/"> Squid Game</a> premiered on Netflix. A few years ago, it was impossible to think of a foreign language show to <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-squid-game-becomes-first-ever-non-english-nominee-at-sag-awards-2022-bags-3-nominations/">reach the level of success that Squid Game did</a>. However, as soon as the show&#8217;s popularity grew, many Korean speakers showed their resentment to the translation of some dialogues from the show.
<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg.webp"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25201 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg.webp" alt="" width="1025" height="1025" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg.webp 1025w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg-300x300.webp 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg-150x150.webp 150w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg-768x768.webp 768w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/8ef647e5-a82e-4134-b29b-600dc4e4ec3b-squidgame_unit_101_625.jpg-600x600.webp 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1025px) 100vw, 1025px" /></a>
The most prominent complaint was when in Episode 8, Sang-woo tells Gi-hun, &#8220;[You] always have to get in trouble to know it&#8217;s trouble.&#8221; Korena speakers who saw the show were uneasy with the poor translation of the original phrase. Which should be something like, &#8220;you need to eat something before you can tell whether it is shit or doenjang.&#8221;
Now obviously, all of us do not know about doenjang (doenjang is a brown paste prepared with salt and fermented soybeans). This could be why doenjang remained missing in the translation. It is a cultural reference to the Koreans that the rest of the world might not understand.
ALSO READ:<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/from-andrew-garfields-tick-tickboom-to-hugh-jackmans-les-miserables-celebrate-world-theatre-day-with-these-netflix-titles/"> From Andrew Garfield’s ‘tick, tick…Boom!’ to Hugh Jackman’s ‘Les Misérables’, Celebrate World Theatre Day With These Netflix Titles</a>
Another complaint, and this one being rather embarrassing on Netflix&#8217;s part, is that in the show, &#8220;Oppa&#8221; which means older brother was dubbed as “old man” and &#8220;babe&#8221; in the subtitles. In eastern Asian languages, older siblings and elders who are outside of the family have specific terms. So you cannot translate them accurately no matter what. But in no sense can Oppa mean Babe.
Now that foreign shows are getting attention and appreciation they so rightly deserve, Netflix needs to put in the time, effort, and finance on upping their subtitle game. And in their defense even with these translation issues, Squid Game&#8216;s popularity had no reduction whatsoever. It went on to receive great <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-i-think-its-just-the-beginning-says-lee-jung-jae-on-squid-games-historic-win-at-the-sag/">accolades</a> and love from the fans.
<h2>Shows where Netflix subtitles failed badly</h2>
To be honest we are wholly dependent on subtitles to watch foreign content. This means, for better or worse, we cannot complain about the quality of translation that much. However, our dependence should be an indication for Netflix to take the job of translation more seriously. But that does not seem the case, even with some of Netflix&#8217;s most important films.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25202 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXGRfJst4X9A7w_yx7JL7GV8OnGWEGM8gKljwbz7bGB6BJzV5ScHg4E24g_aauQRh0u-dPxYHbHcSDyxibF1qV4xpm60.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXGRfJst4X9A7w_yx7JL7GV8OnGWEGM8gKljwbz7bGB6BJzV5ScHg4E24g_aauQRh0u-dPxYHbHcSDyxibF1qV4xpm60.jpg 1280w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXGRfJst4X9A7w_yx7JL7GV8OnGWEGM8gKljwbz7bGB6BJzV5ScHg4E24g_aauQRh0u-dPxYHbHcSDyxibF1qV4xpm60-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXGRfJst4X9A7w_yx7JL7GV8OnGWEGM8gKljwbz7bGB6BJzV5ScHg4E24g_aauQRh0u-dPxYHbHcSDyxibF1qV4xpm60-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AAAABXGRfJst4X9A7w_yx7JL7GV8OnGWEGM8gKljwbz7bGB6BJzV5ScHg4E24g_aauQRh0u-dPxYHbHcSDyxibF1qV4xpm60-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />
According to an article released by ATAA, Alfonso Cuarón&#8216;s Roma, which won Netflix its first Oscar, lost its essence when subtitled in French. The movie had been &#8220;turned into a tragi-comic farce,&#8221; according to the group, with strings of phrases devoid of verbs or articles and people swinging between contemporary slang and 19th century French at random.
Another case of embarrassing and confusing translation was with Derry Girls&#8217; Japanese translation. In the scene &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t manage my Chinese last night,&#8221; one character says after the family dog is reportedly dead. But Japanese viewers got this: &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t pronounce the Chinese language last night.&#8221;
A reason for these issues can be the way translators get the material. For example, while translating Squid Games in French, the translators received scripts already translated to English. Meaning any mistake in the English script trickled down to the French one.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/best-true-crime-documentaries-available-on-netflix-amazon-prime-hulu-and-hbo-max/">Best True Crime Documentaries Available On Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max</a>
<h2><span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Most Anime shows on netflix have horrible subtitles&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:513,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0}">Most Anime shows on Netflix have horrible subtitles</h2>
We have established enough that some of the translations by Netflix are really disappointing. But why is that the case? Let us try to find out the reason behind such a blunder by a billion-dollar company like <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/category/originaks">Netflix</a>.
The most prominent case has to be that the translating industry is an overworked but underpaid one. Translators usually get <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/why-are-netflix-subtitles-so-bad-1235043051/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$255</a> for a 110-minute film for a local streaming service. This low compensation, along with tight deadlines, can lead to substandard work. Moreover, the condition of the industry has worsened since Netflix entered the scene in 2015.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25204 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/subtitles-file-netflix.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="600" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/subtitles-file-netflix.jpg 1200w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/subtitles-file-netflix-300x150.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/subtitles-file-netflix-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/subtitles-file-netflix-768x384.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
According to Jason Gray a veteran of the industry, “Fees have fallen by about 25 percent for very experienced subtitlers but nearly halved for entry-level work.” 
In Japan, agencies that function as middlemen, contracting with streamers and farming out the job to freelancers, manage a vast volume of subtitling business. As a result of the agreement, actual workers receive lowered pay.
To sum up our whole research and to quote the movie Paterson, &#8220;Poetry in translations is like taking a shower with a raincoat on&#8221;. So, no matter how good the translation is some of the original work will not make it.
But Netflix needs to invest more in translators so that the viewing experience of the audience remains undiminished.

Best True Crime Documentaries Available On Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO
Max

From Andrew Garfield’s ‘tick, tick…Boom!’ to Hugh Jackman’s ‘Les Misérables’,
Celebrate World Theatre Day With These Netflix Titles

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Netflix Subtitles is one of the most used tool by people to access foreign language content. But is it as reliable as we think?

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How Accurate Are Netflix Subtitles? Can You Trust Them?

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