Richard PattersonYou might have heard “Sub or Dub” if you have been conversing about foreign media regarding whether or not people should watch a film subtitled or voice dubbed into your language. Some of the arguments in this topic are “You’re a slow reader” or “You just hate reading” and other such comments. However, the overlooked detail is that many people have a disability of some kind that prevents them from watching media that’s in different languages. So, let’s dive into why it’s difficult for many to read or follow sub or dub titles and how new developments make it possible for those struggling to watch subtitled media.
Dyslexia Friendly Fonts
Several people live with dyslexia, OCD, or deafness, which affects their reading speed. Therefore, they need more time to read than most people do. So when watching anything with subtitles, they must constantly pause and rewind, usually ruining the crafted atmosphere and tone. Fortunately, there is a “Dyslexie Subtitle Font”. Dyslexia-friendly fonts are typefaces designed to be more readable and accessible for individuals with dyslexia. These fonts incorporate specific features that make it easier for people with dyslexia to recognize and distinguish between letters and words.
Some characteristics of dyslexia-friendly fonts include simplified Letter Shapes, Clear Letter Spacing, Clearer Ascenders and Descenders, Uniform Letter Height, Open and Rounded Shapes, and Heavier Weight. A few fonts include but are not limited to dyslexia, a font specifically created to address the challenges individuals face with dyslexia. OpenDyslexic is a free-to-use, open-source font designed with readability for dyslexic individuals in mind. Arial is a widely available sans-serif font known for its legibility and straightforward design. Helvetica is a widely recognized and used font known for its clear and straightforward design.
Closing thoughts
There are other overlooked reasons why some people can easily watch media reliant on text, but I felt this topic needed some spotlight. Though it might seem small, many fans of a particular genre of media are unable to enjoy other series. For example, anime or Tokusatsu series are unavailable in a dub translation. Entertainment is developing to become more accessible to viewers, and Dyslexia Subtitle Fonts are another way they are visible. So, with that, you can implement several additional measures to assist those who have trouble getting into subtitled media.