Subtitles for People That Hate Them

[Reynard]

This is fairly specific and niche, but I am not sure where else to ask -- so why not EN World!?

Anyway, my wife hates subtitles. She is moderately dyslexic and that makes the experience difficult for her. If it happens once in a while in a show or movie, she can power through (or pause and ask me) but if it happens too much, she just gives up. But I know, based on her preferences, that Shogun is right up our alley, and even things that we do watch together like House of the Dragon can be trying when they go deep with draconic (or whatever they call it on the show).

So my question is if there are any apps or Roku settings or whatever than can help. If you or someone you know is dyslexic, how do they deal with subtitles?

Thanks.

 

[payn]

So, I was curious about this and did a quick search. There is an app called "SubReader" that will actually repeat the subtitle out loud. Im guessing its like typical read back things where it sounds robotic but it should convey what is being said without the person needing to read.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Yeah, the 21st century Shogun relies heavily on subtitles (it's a story about the Japanese characters, while the 1980s one was about the English navigator). Good job looking out for your wife, because I think you're definitely right to be worried about them being an issue. The story is almost incomprehensible without them.

 

[MoonSong]

I get frustrated by subtitles, not that I hate them, but really, if I'm fine with subtitles, I'm fine with them. If I'm watching a dub, I want it all dub. This is very hard with movies like ShangChi, where despite I watching a dub, all of the Chinese/Mandarin remains as is with subtitles, on a movie that is mostly spoken Chinese. (I'd dare to say a percentage, but I couldn't finish the movie because of subtitles)

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I know that there are tools on some TV and other player for the visually impaired that voice captions and subtitles. I have never used them but seen them in use, but they also do stuff like describe the scenes. I am not sure if they can be restricted to captions only.

 

[GreyLord]

Well, she could always close her eyes and you could use the descriptive text narrator for those who are blind to tell you what was said and what is going on the screen.

Not sure that's a great option though.

 

[Reynard]

Well, she could always close her eyes and you could use the descriptive text narrator for those who are blind to tell you what was said and what is going on the screen.

Not sure that's a great option though.

That's a little disruptive to the narrative experience, which is exactly the problem is am trying to solve.