Üniversitepark Bülten | Bulletin | 2024 | 13(1): 7-23.
Üniversitepark Bülten
www.unibulletin.com
ISSN 2147-351X (Print), 2564-8039 (Online)
Cite this article: Ed-Dali, R. (2024). Subtitling
and Eye Movements: Insights from Proficient
Viewers. Üniversitepark Bülten, 13(1): 7-23.
https://doi.org/10.22521/unibulletin.2024.131.1
Received May 06, 2024
Accepted June 27, 2024
Keywords:
Eye movement, fixation, advanced
learner, viewer, subtitle
Author for correspondence:
Rachid Ed-Dali
r.eddali@uca.ma
Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences,
Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco.
OPEN ACCESS
© The Author(s), 2024. This is an Open Access
article, distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0),
which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution
and reproduction, provided the original article is
properly cited.
Subtitling and Eye Movements: Insights
from Proficient Viewers
Rachid Ed-Dali
Abstract
Background/purpose. The popularity of foreign-language films and
shows with subtitles has been driven by their cost-effectiveness in
comparison to audio dubbing. The primary objective of this research
was to explore the reading and viewing behaviors of proficient
learners in the contemporary era, characterized by significant
progress in eye-tracking technologies. These advancements have
provided researchers with the capability to precisely analyze eye
fixation patterns, offering valuable insights into how individuals
engage with written and visual content.
Materials/methods. The study’s focus was on adults between the
ages of 20 and 40 years old who watched videos with English
language soundtracks and Standard Arabic subtitles, as well as videos
with Moroccan Arabic and Standard Arabic soundtracks and
subtitles. To assess the impact of different subtitling speeds on
reading behavior, participants were exposed to varying speeds. Also,
a detailed questionnaire was administered to the participants after
the sessions in order to obtain further information and the collected
data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Practical implications. The findings of this study revealed that
doctoral candidates spent less time focusing on the subtitles, and
some even completely ignored them. Master’s students exhibited
similar eye movement patterns to the doctoral candidates, while
undergraduates had longer fixation times on the subtitles.
Conclusion. This research provides valuable insights into how the
speed of subtitles influences viewer behavior and has implications
for language learning and the production of audiovisual content. By
understanding how different subtitling speeds affect reading
behavior, language learners and content creators can make informed
decisions to enhance the learning experience and optimize the
production of audiovisual materials.