Introduction

Subtitles help deaf people understand movies and TV. They also let you watch films in foreign languages. But in recent years, the creativity in describing sounds has reached new levels. Learn more about the art of subtitling and pick up some new vocabulary at the same time.

This week's question

Sometimes there are funny mistakes in subtitles. What was written on a BBC News programme in 2019? Was it:

a) We can’t allow Spiderman to become prime minister?

b) We can’t allow Superman to become prime minister?, or,

c) We can’t allow Batman to become prime minister?

Listen to the programme to find out the answer. 

Vocabulary

genre
style of film, music or book with its own particular set of characteristics

upbeat
cheerful, hopeful and light-hearted

jaunty
full of energy and confidence

gasp
take in a short, quick breath of air to show shock, surprise or pain

gobsmacked
(slang) so surprised that you cannot speak

high five
two people lifting their arms and clapping hands together as a greeting, or a way of saying, ‘well done!’230608_6min_english_subtitles.pdf