Saturday 26 January 2013

How original!


Twenty years ago, I used to look at those TV sets which featured a dual audio option and sigh at the impossibility of buying one. Well, I just couldn't afford it. 

Why is that option important? Because it allows you to watch any movie, series or documentary in its original version.

Watching programmes in its original version (English, most of the time) is another way of immersing yourself in the language. So you can see how tantalising it was for somebody interested in the English language not to be able to enjoy TV programming as it was meant to be seen (and heard).

Fortunately, those days are gone. Not because I have a good TV now. It's because our current TDT (Freeview TV in Spain) already features the dual audio option, no matter what kind of TV you buy. This is good news for English learners and teachers!

Now, you just have to press the button for the original version on your remote (or choose that option on your TV menu) and listen to all content without worrying that some meanings are lost in translation.

What are you waiting for? Next time they are showing that movie, series or documentary you like, be original!

Do you watch TV in original version?
Yes
No

8 comments:

  1. Nice to see how technology has advanced so fast...

    -Felix (from Lots of Humor)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's certainly a great help if you're learning a foreign language.

      PS: I hope to write a review of your site soon.

      Delete
  2. DVB or Freeview? Are both things one and the same?

    Although I agree with you, at the same time it is a bit sad (concerning our relationship with other countries) to realize that 95% of the foreign shows you can watch are English-spoken. If there are any shows in French, for example, I have obviously missed them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I know, they're the same thing.

      Most of the content we watch on TV was originally filmed in English. But there are a few programmes in other languages too. Last night, I was watching a documentary about the Nazi occupation of France and how some French women started relationships with Germans.

      Well, that documentary was filmed in French! (obviously, it was a French production). So, yes, it's not English all the time.

      Delete
  3. It's the same for me too. I really like watching French programmes, and catching things in Czech is especially good while I'm back home in Australia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never caught anything in Czech, only in French, German and Japanese, as far as I remember.

      Delete
  4. See if you can find a movie called 'Samotari' - 'The Loners' in English

    It was really popular about 10 years, really funny especially for those who live in Prague. It shows what the Czechs are really like..The soundtrack at the time was also good

    Other films include Želary and Jizda, and there's a few more here: http://www.sbs.com.au/films/browse/language/15/czech/20/year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great but I'm afraid I wouldn't understand a single word of Czech!

      Delete