The Possible Psychological Effects of Subtitles (Provided in Second Language) on the Theatre Play’s Bilingual Viewer – Psychological Hypothesis Cover Image

A színházi előadás másodnyelven való feliratozásának hatása a befogadóra – egy pszichológiai hipotézis
The Possible Psychological Effects of Subtitles (Provided in Second Language) on the Theatre Play’s Bilingual Viewer – Psychological Hypothesis

Author(s): Kinga Bakk Miklósi
Subject(s): Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Psychology
Published by: UArtPress - Editura Universității de Arte din Tîrgu Mureş - A Marosvásárhelyi Művészeti Egyetem Kiadója
Keywords: bilingualism; lingual and cognitive understanding; theatrical experience; type of personality;

Summary/Abstract: In theatres, in a bilingual environment, multicultural festivals, etc. subtitles are being used in an ever-increasing manner, where the primary purpose is clear understanding, to help ease cognitive processing for the view/participant. Although this practice is sensible, an operational media phenomenon, it is not obvious that it has only positive effects. In case the viewer/receiver is balance or dominant bilingual, the subtitle (of course in the known other language) – knowingly or not – keeps both language modules engaged and active, which makes the play`s comprehension, its lingual and cognitive understanding more accessible. The spoken words on the stage, the language-specific terms are frequently checked in the subtitles, which could lead the division of attention, a distraction. The controlled process burdens the capacity for attention capacity. One of the consequences of this could be a diminished enjoyment of the play. This phenomenon raises several questions, from the perspective of the viewer/receiver, and my aim is to investigate these questions during my presentation. Questions like: the above-mentioned use of subtitles to what degree if at all interferes and diminishes the theatrical experience for the receiver; the increased cognitive processing enhances or on the contrary, reduces the emotional involvement of the receiver – what is its effect on catharsis.

  • Issue Year: XIII/2012
  • Issue No: 23
  • Page Range: 21-32
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Hungarian