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TV or not TV? The impact of subtitling on English skills

Author

Listed:
  • Augusto Rupérez Micola
  • Ainhoa Aparicio Fenoll
  • Albert Banal-Estañol
  • Arturo Bris

Abstract

We study the influence of television translation techniques on the quality of English spoken worldwide. We identify a large positive effect for subtitled original version broadcasts, as opposed to dubbed television, on English proficiency scores. We analyze the historical circumstances under which countries opted for one of the translation modes and use it to account for the possible endogeneity of the subtitling indicator. We disaggregate the results by type of skills and find that television works especially for listening comprehension. Our paper suggests that governments could promote subtitling as a means to improve foreign language proficiency and therefore economic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Augusto Rupérez Micola & Ainhoa Aparicio Fenoll & Albert Banal-Estañol & Arturo Bris, 2016. "TV or not TV? The impact of subtitling on English skills," Carlo Alberto Notebooks 491, Collegio Carlo Alberto.
    • Handle: RePEc:cca:wpaper:491
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Television; subtitling; foreign language skills.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • Z11 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economics of the Arts and Literature

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