Re: URL: Nova goes belly up in Japan.

On Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:54:49 +0900, Evan Monroig wrote:

Phil <phil.yff@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

In Japan, it's quite common for English language shows dubbed into
Japanese to be available in dual audio with English on the secondary
audio program. Subtitles are also available as closed captions.
Furthermore, some movies are shown only in English with subtitles on
the secondary audio program. So, the Japanese have plenty of
opportunity to use TV shows to help them learn the language.
Additionally, English language movies are widely available that have
English and Japanese voice tracks as well as English and Japanese
subtitles.

I think that the problem is not one of availability. Only people who
already understand well English or really care about learning English
will switch Audio channels or search for English contents in a DVD or TV
show. That's not the same as having no choice because the shows you
watch everyday are in English. If you have to change some setting on
your TV to have the English track, then that's already at least 70%
people less.

In North America, to get a special audio channel or turn on closed captions
may not be obvious. I have to go into a menu and configure settings.
However, in Japan, many TVs have remote controls where you can change the
audio channel and the 'subtitles' by pressing a button. Young hildren
playing with the remote control are bound to come upon these features by
accident.


--
Phil
.