For most cinephiles, it is out of question to watch a foreign language film in dub; that is the replacement of actors’ voices with a voice-over translation. We rely on subtitles for the translation of what is being said, but it is the original voice of the actor or actress that conveys emotions, nuances in their performance and impression of the character. We prefer the original, the “authentic” version. But is there ever a reason to watch something in dub?
Indeed, Netflix and co. have recently shaped our viewing habits not only by popularising foreign language films and shows, but also their dubbed versions in multiple languages. However, before it became popular in streaming, dubbing was still a frequent practice in children’s films or animes. In the case of films by the Japanese Studio Ghibli (think: Howl’s Moving Castle or Princess Mononoke), the dubbed versions are actually often preferred by viewers, and voice performances like Christian Bale’s Howl deservedly outshone the original. It may also be the fact that the English language versions of these animes feature an impressive cast of well-known actors that make them more worthwhile, given that we are already used to and, to some sort, attached to these voices. Additionally, the dubbed version can simply be seen as a new interpretation, especially if the tone and timbre of the English voice actor match the character.
Evidently, the difference in the dubbed version is less recognisable in animated films: we are less likely to be distracted by mismatching mouth movements as in live-action films where this can certainly be a bigger issue. But dubbings can still easily fail. Voice actors can be miscast and even if they aren’t, it still remains an interpretation that might not suit our own liking, especially when we are already used to the original voice. Moreover, it is also a good thing to expose oneself to foreign languages, which often also add a certain layer to a film’s atmosphere. Recent years have also seen the rise of multi-lingual productions, like Shōgun or the remake of West Side Story, in which the different languages significantly add to our perception of the portrayed intercultural dialogues.
If you love a film, it might be worth trying out the dubbed version to get a new impression – but the purists might have a point in this debate.
“Hayao Miyazaki 201211” by 大臣官房人事課 is licensed under CC BY 4.0.