Advertisement

Talkback

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

Q Will dubbing more films in Cantonese lower English-language standards?

I truly believe it will not. Last Saturday I watched the movie Ice Age with my parents and my little brother. My mother is the kind of parent that wants her children to be in a better English environment and always encourages us to watch the English version of everything, books, movies, TV programmes. However, she chose to watch the Cantonese version of Ice Age. Why? Before I watched the film I hadn't got a clue. After the movie I knew why.

There were a lot of gags that only Cantonese understand and there were talented dubbing artists that gave lives to the characters. They used a lot of Cantonese slang to shorten the distance between the characters and us. When I heard voices, languages and phrases that I was familiar with, I had a fabulous feeling. We have our own culture that only Cantonese understand. I felt at home and it was so warm. I bet these are the reasons why Cantonese-version cartoons and English movies are so attractive.

If parents really want their children to improve their English, watching movies is not the only way. They can choose to watch the English version of the movies, but having more Cantonese-dubbed movies will not do any harm. The most important thing is the parents' own attitude. If they talk more in English with their children, the higher their children's English standard will be. But having no Cantonese-version movies will not be a hindrance in Hong Kong where most radio and television programmes are broadcast in Cantonese.

When my dad was in junior secondary, he watched the movie version of Romeo and Juliet by Olivia Hussey, fell in love with the actress, the movie - though dubbed in Cantonese - and Shakespeare. Later, he majored in English literature and became a teacher. Recently, he watched the same movie again with some children in school, but this time, dubbed in English. He just could not feel the joys and sorrows of the characters as they spoke in beautiful Shakespearean language. This is why dubbing helps bridge the gap between teenagers and great works of literature.

Toni Ng, Mei Foo

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x