MovieChat Forums > Look Both Ways (2005) Discussion > I hate that independent films don't have...

I hate that independent films don't have subtitles.

posted 17 years ago by TroyG1
25 replies | jump to latest

In this case it might not be an indepedent film, but what I hate is that I can't understand half of what's being said, especially by William McInnes for some reason, because an Australian accent is so hard for me to understand. This happens with English/Scottish/Irish films as well. Every film that is released to DVD should have a subtitle option. What's so hard about that. I'm not even hearing impaired, so I can't imagine how frustrated those people are.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Cienna 17 years ago

Why? Do you have a lot of trouble with Australian accents too?

The Yabbies..the handsomest team in the league.

[–] Cienna 17 years ago

Really? Perhaps I can translate. What part in particular didn't you understand? Perhaps it's not so much the words but our slang.

I agree that they should have subtitles on all films. Sometimes you can miss words or phrases because people mumble or speak really quickly. I sometimes have trouble with Scottish and Irish accents.

It certainly isn't fair to the hearing impaired.

The Yabbies..the handsomest team in the league.

[–] equivoque 17 years ago

stop naval gazing - it's not a strong dialect and the words are all in common English usage.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 17 years ago

How does a navel taste? Early in the afternoon while crossing the midnight quay, I met a man with nine eyes and he didn't remind me of yew, but he said subtitles are like loquats in the Month of May. Otherwise portable and lineated.

Nothing exists more beautifully than nothing.

[–] trix850 17 years ago

I agree that every DVD should have subtitles. Firstly for the hearing impaired and secondly for those not familiar with the accents or language. I'm Australian but my wife speaks English as a second language, so we put on the English subtitles when we can. The most amazing is how much I have been missing from American films and TV, mainstream included. I wouldn't watch an episode of the Sopranos or Deadwood without the subtitles now, same for many films.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] KyL_idolz 17 years ago

I wonder if Americans hear themselves talking the same way Australian's hear American's talking. To me, when i hear myslef speak, it sounds very plain and someone monotone. I'm not referring to bogan language, but when you hear the average Australian speak, does it sound plain, or with a strong accent? I can't notice any...

Do not speak- unless it improves on silence.

[–] ilutrov 17 years ago

Every film that is released to DVD should have a subtitle option. What's so hard about that.

It's not hard, just unnecessary. The differences between Australian, British, American, Canadian (and others) English is minor. As an Australian, I got used to the American dialect over the years. Be patient, you'll get used to the Australian dialect too. It's not that hard. Otherwise, perhaps stay away from Australian films?

[–] lloyd_e_boy_s2 17 years ago

As an Aussie, we've pretty much grown up with American television. I'd say that 70% of television programs on Australian tv is from America...Probably a terrible estimate.

I've grown up with American accents, so it seems rather common place.

(And as a rather silly result, I think that I may have picked up some of this accent...I often get asked if i've studied in America or something because I, aparently, have a tinged accent......you kyyyyunnnttt. ;).)

I really think that subtitles are a rather superfluous feature simply because it is a different dialect. Hell, if you're from LA, why not get subtitles on (As aforementioned) The Sopranos or something?

The point is, we all speak english; and most people do understand...so...heads up and listen to it, I guess.

(I was ignoring the fact that films should have subtitles for the hearing impaired)

(As a side note...i'm studying this at the moment and trying to write an essay, but i've forgotten where the HUGE train accident took place...any help?)

[–] andrewv90 17 years ago

I'm just wondering something, is our accent really that hard to understand?

As an Australian, I thought the accents of the actors were quite neutral (because there are extreme Australian accents..eg. the steriotypical man from the bush) but maybe its just me because I/we are so used to hearing them.

[–] scout6179 17 years ago

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee.
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
You’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

[–] address-16 17 years ago

Pitiful.

Its English. Just listen.
The rest of the world has to put up with that bastard this you speak in the US.....

[–] trekcass 17 years ago

For me... it sucks because I'm Deaf so, I do think every film even commercials and stupid political ads should be subtitled. I vote so shouldn't I have 100% access even to propaganda?

[–] mlone 17 years ago

Boy, some really strong opinions on this thread! That fact that we Americans can't always understand Australian, British, Irish, etc. accents is not a slam to those countries, so lighten up.

I think the person who originally posted on this topic has a good point. I lived in the UK for two years and had roommates from all over Britain, as well as South Africa and Austrlia, so you would think I would be able to understand the dialogue in "Look Both Ways," but I had a very tough time understanding some of it. That's just a comment, not a slam against the way anyone speaks English. :-)

[–] scout6179 17 years ago

Waltzing Matilda (Translated in Yankee dialect)

Once a happy hobo camped by a waterhole,
under the shade of a big Gum Tree.
And he sang as he watched,
and waited till his kettle boiled.
You’ll come a drifting the outback with me.

Down came a stray sheep,
to drink at that waterhole.
Up jumped the hobo and grabbed him with glee.
And he sang as he shoved that stray sheep in his bindlestiff.
You’ll come a drifting the outback with me.

Down rode the rancher mounted on his thoroughbred,
down rode the Marshalls, One…Two…Three!
With that rustled stray sheep,
that you’ve got in your bindlestiff.
You’ll come a drifting the outback with ME!

So up jumped the hobo and he dove into that waterhole.
You’ll never take me alive, said he.
And his ghost may be heard as your passing by that water hole,
You’ll come a drifting the outback with me.

YANK to AUSSIE translation

Happy-Jolly
Hobo- Swagman, honest but poor man who travels for work (NOT a bum, tramp or thief).
Waterhole-Billabong (defined as quicksand or large wooden musical instrument by many Americans).
Big Gum Tree- Just so Americans know it is NOT a thick Aussie accent singing (Koala Bear Tree)!
Kettle-Billy
Waltzing Matilda-Experiencing the beauty and freedom of the Australian outback.
Stray sheep-Jumbuck (a Hobo would not steal anything) ergo stray.
Bindlestiff-The pole and pouch carried by Hobos. Although most Americans have no idea what a bindlestiff is, even fewer are aware of a Tucker Bag.
Rancher-Squatters could be Hobos in the US; a Rancher represents ‘The Man.’
Marshalls-Troopers are more contemporary and usually in cars.
Judge, Jury, Executioner-One, Two, Three???
Rustled-According to ’The Man’ that jumbuck is stolen.

The Hobo jumped into the waterhole and attempted an escape rather than facing a ‘Kangaroo Court’ where the penalty for rustling (in the US) is death.

If you are of an enlightened frame of mind and possess the right kind of hearing, when you pass by that waterhole; you may hear that Hobo calling you to…..Come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Is there any doubt why this ditty is so appealing to anyone from a free country? Or why it is universally associated with Australia?

Sorry for the over analysis. No disrespect intended either.

[–] suz881 16 years ago

but subtitles are often soooo wrong!!!! i understand it on movies in another language eg. french, cause you have no clue what theyre ssaying...but on a movie in an accent or dialect of english??? grr it bugs me cause the words are totally screwed..

[–] Kiri_Martian 16 years ago

It's funny, knowing French and watching a French film with subtitles on SBS.. much of it, for example swear words are adapted to fit Aussie vocab..often sooo wrong. 'Putain', which is really bad was translated to something mild like 'Bloody hell'....
Anyway..I'm really going off track here...I don't think that the Australian accent in Look Both Ways should be too hard to understand if one just listens carefully.. It is English, and the accents aren't that strong.. so imo not needed.

Hmm, iced tea. How very musical theater of you.

[–] gettinmygrooveon 16 years ago

I totally agree. There are many films I just give up on because I can't understand half of what they're saying. All these people getting bent out of shape over it...no big deal, just include some subtitles please.