Dubbing and subtitling are the most prevalent methods used to make foreign-language
television programmes available to a domestic market. Each adaptation method has its
advantages and disadvantages. This article provides an inventory of the pros and
cons of both methods on the basis of three questions: Through which method can
information best be transferred? What are the aesthetic advantages and disadvantages
of each method? Which skills do viewers acquire `incidentally' by using one of the
two adaptation methods? The answers given to these questions are based as much as
possible on the results of empirical research on dubbing and subtitling. The
conclusion is that there is no empirical evidence for some frequently claimed
advantages and disadvantages. With regard to other pros and cons, it depends on the
viewer, the type of television programme and the way in which a programme is
subtitled or dubbed as to whether the argument should be taken seriously.
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