Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

matetranslate.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 112 posts

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#41

Post by spurgu »

simias wrote: post #29
spurgu wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm doing the opposite. I'm trying to learn Spanish so I'm currently rewatching Game of Thrones in Spanish, with English subtitles (delayed by 2 seconds). I first try to understand what's being said and if I don't then I glance down for assistance.

The subtitle delay is clever, I'll have to remember that. Although personally I would probably use subtitles in the target language (and use a dictionary if there's something I don't understand).

Sure, I do that as well. I guess it depends on your method of learning and/or current level. The downside to staring at subtitles in my mind is that you: a) miss the acting (just keeping your left hemisphere glued to the text and trying to decipher it) b) miss actually _hearing_ the language, which even if you don't even understand a word is useful since it will introduce you to the overall "sound" of it as well as a lot of repeating phrases

If you're learning how to read/write the language subtitles in that language seems like a great option. If you're starting out, it helps a lot to hear the language.

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#43

Post by bunderbunder »

simias wrote: post #29
spurgu wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm doing the opposite. I'm trying to learn Spanish so I'm currently rewatching Game of Thrones in Spanish, with English subtitles (delayed by 2 seconds). I first try to understand what's being said and if I don't then I glance down for assistance.

The subtitle delay is clever, I'll have to remember that. Although personally I would probably use subtitles in the target language (and use a dictionary if there's something I don't understand).

This approach is a bit tricky in Netflix, because they typically use different translations for the audio track and the subtitles. It can be more distracting than helpful. And kind of kills the "go back 10 seconds and temporarily turn on subtitles" technique that others have mentioned.

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#44

Post by vincentmarle »

justaman wrote: post #28
99052882514569 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just always have subs on. There are shows which are downright unwatchable without subs (e.g. True Detective). I'm not a native speaker, but I'm fluent.

Subs also add a lot of the plot sometimes. Certain quiet sounds you wouldn't otherwise hear are mentioned in the subs that can set a scene, foreshadow, or explain motives.

Yes, I can't stand it if I didn't catch a crucial key phrase that may be relevant to the story later on.

If I could, I would have the entire script as well, like Script to Screen does: https://www.facebook.com/pg/scripttoscreen.film/videos

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#45

Post by ORioN63 »

knubie wrote: post #33
abdusco wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the best features of PotPlayer [0] (available only on Windows, sadly) is that it supports jumping to previous/next subtitle points. Combined with its auto subtitle search feature, it's extremely useful for a nonnative speaker like me to jump back and read an unintelligible section of a movie, or skip a boring section by watching only the parts with dialogue. I wish there were a similar alternative for Linux. T…

Mpv [0] has this as well (plus many more possibilities (including scripting/plugins)). [0]: https://mpv.io/manual/master/

Took me a while to find the lines, so here's the magic:

     # ~/.config/mpv/input.conf (lines 20-22)
     LEFT sub_seek -1
     RIGHT sub_seek 1

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#46

Post by hombre_fatal »

cormacrelf wrote: post #7

It would be cool (but super niche) to have a "wait, what was that" button in Netflix. Skip back 10s, enable subs. Would be great when you're trying not to use the subtitles, but sometimes get a bit outpaced. Edit: maybe not so niche! Someone build a WebExtension!

You used to be able to pause Netflix, switch the subtitles (or turn them on), and it would update the subtitle language for the current frame.

Was nice when you couldn't understand the subtitle (slang that Google Translate doesn't know, for example). You'd switch to English for a second, go "aha", switch back, and resume video.

1-2 years ago Netflix introduced a regression where that feature doesn't work anymore. Now you have to go back and re-trigger the subtitles for the current frame for them to appear.

Sucks for language learners.

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#47

Post by [deleted] »

spurgu wrote: post #20
the_duke wrote: post #17

For me, watching TV shows with subtitles is an excellent way to learn a language, once you are beyond the basics. I would watch the show with subtitles; when I didn't understand something, I would pause, look up the phrase/words, write them down for future repetition and continue. A technology solution for this is awesome.

I'm doing the opposite. I'm trying to learn Spanish so I'm currently rewatching Game of Thrones in Spanish, with English subtitles (delayed by 2 seconds). I first try to understand what's being said and if I don't then I glance down for assistance.

[deleted]

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#48

Post by henrywarren »

Theres a ton of research on the impact of subtitles on literacy acquisition for kids. We are currently running a project aiming to convince the major broadcasters to turn these on by default for kids TV. You can find out more on www.turnonthesubtitles.org

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#49

Post by abductee_hg »

Had the same idea a while ago - only with "watching a series that you know already by heart". Unfortunately I soon found out that there is no spanish version of Start Trek TNG on Netflix/Amzn Prime. ( but I _so_ wanted to see Patrick Steward yelling "Señor Worf!" )

Re: Mate: Netflix browser extension for learning words via subtitles

#50

Post by macd »

misiti3780 wrote: post #34
austinhutch wrote: post #30

One benefit of using a VPN was that Netflix provided shows with far more subtitle options in regions outside the USA. I never understood why if the subtitles existed for a particular language that they wouldn't be present in the USA version of Netflix. For example, now that you can't use a VPN with Netflix I haven't been able to access German subtitles from the USA. Is there a way around this?

I have been saying this forever, i have no clue why all subtitles are not available. When I was in italy all of my favorite shows had italian subtitles, now im back in the US, they disappeared.

Change your netflix app language to your target language and you magically get more subtitle options, if available. In US Netflix, when I set my language to english, I see english, spanish, and maybe french or italian for some shows. When I set my language to Korean, I see English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese (trad and simplified) when they are available for that show.

Why they base it on your display language and don't just have a setting that is "show me X, Y, and Z language subtitles if available", I don't know.

Post reply on HN