Question about Japanese movies

[Blu-Style]

Hi,


I was always wondering if the Japanese generally dub movies

[WickyWoo]

Yes and no

Are Japanese dubs often available on the DVDs? Yes

Do most Japanese watch dubs? No

With the exception of Kids titles, western movies are shown subtitled, and then there are often subbed showings of those

[Blu-Style]

Hm...

So, they watch big movies in their natural (english) language...

But why can´t they talk better englisch then most of the other countrys ?


That´s a bit weird isn´t it ... ?

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Blu-Style

Hm...

So, they watch big movies in their natural (english) language...

But why can´t they talk better englisch then most of the other countrys ?


That´s a bit weird isn´t it ... ?

Do you watch many Japanese movies? How good are you at speaking Japanese?

[WickyWoo]

Most Japanese understand clearly moderate speed spoken English at least to some degree, and can read it OK. You have to remember that they have 4-5 years of English in school as a required course

They also tend to be far more literate than the average American, in terms of consumption of books, newspapers and other print media.

[Blu-Style]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Do you watch many Japanese movies? How good are you at speaking Japanese?

That was a f@#*ed up comparison...

You know, all scandinavian countries watch movies in their original english language.
(Because they don´t have the money to dub them)
And all of them can talk / write perfect english.

so, why not the japanese then if english is very common ?


Ok, I understand WickyWoo´s reply, it makes sense.

But again, it´s kind of weird!

If movies only run in English there and they grow up with it, I would expect that they could speak good english... That´s a bit fishy.


But thanks for the reply. my question is answered now.

>>>> http://youtube.com/watch?v=-YwoP0thR1k

[DeeChizzle]

I find your reasoning as to why Japanese people should be able to speak better English to be rather ridiculous.

However, I think your point in this question was because you're probably thinking of buying an import blu-ray. I own quite a few Japanese imports and no they do not dub any of them. They use subtitles which you can turn on or off. Hope that helps.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Blu-Style

That was a f@#*ed up comparison...

I live in an area of Massachusetts where there are quite a bit of immigrant laborers. They live in a country that speaks english, meet people everyday who speak english, watch movies and television in english, but can't speak a word of it themselves. Even though they are surrounded by the language they are not fluent and possibly never will be.

Meanwhile you are inquiring as to why a country that speaks a foreign language, watches television in that language, listens to radio in that langugage, and watches domestic movies in that language can't speak english fluently?

To get to your point, other countries, like those in Scandanavia, rely heavily upon British and American tourists. Japan is a Nation which is not vastly dependant upon tourism as they are leaders in many industries, thusly relations with english speaking tourists is not as great a necessity.

As they say, just follow the money.

[rragland]

Originally Posted by Blu-Style

Hm...

So, they watch big movies in their natural (english) language...

But why can´t they talk better englisch then most of the other countrys ?


That´s a bit weird isn´t it ... ?

Japanese phonics make it extremely difficult to master the King's language.

[WickyWoo]

Understanding a language and speaking a language are 2 very different things.

I speak Japanese...after a fashion. I speak survival Japanese at best, and I use those skills on a regular basis to interact with Japanese people


I understand, even if mostly subconciously a large amount of Japanese. It's very much the same as the bi-lingual kids whose parents speak to them in one language and they answer in another.

Speaking a language is far different than hearing and understanding it

To get to your point, other countries, like those in Scandanavia, rely heavily upon British and American tourists. Japan is a Nation which is not vastly dependant upon tourism as they are leaders in many industries, thusly relations with english speaking tourists is not as great a necessity.

I think you'll find that there are a large number of English speaking tourists and businesspeople in Japan at any one time. Australian and New Zealander tourists. British tourists are all over the place. The hotel I stayed in on New Year's Eve, I didn't see a single Japanese guest. This is a MAJOR hotel on Japan's most important holiday

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I think you'll find that there are a large number of English speaking tourists and businesspeople in Japan at any one time. Australian and New Zealander tourists. British tourists are all over the place. The hotel I stayed in on New Year's Eve, I didn't see a single Japanese guest. This is a MAJOR hotel on Japan's most important holiday

My point is that Japan is not dependant upon foreign tourism, therefore they do not need to emphasize the instruction of a foreign language. Granted I'm sure they do more that the United States does in that regard.

My greater point was that it is ridiculous to expect a society to be fluent at a language that is not their own just because they watch some movies in that language. I have watched movies in a dozen different languages and I am only capable of speaking fluidly in English.