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Article published In:
Translation, Cognition & Behavior
Vol. 4:2 (2021) ► pp.305–330
thematic section

Effects of subtitle speed on proportional reading time

Re-analysing subtitle reading data with mixed effects models

ORCID logo | University of Warsaw
ORCID logo | University of Warsaw
ORCID logo | Aston University | University of the Free State

How much time do viewers spend reading subtitles and does it depend on the subtitle speed? By posing these questions, in this paper we re-analyse previous data to address this issue while promoting two methodological advancements in eye-tracking audiovisual research: (1) the use of proportional reading time (PRT) as a metric of time spent on subtitle reading and (2) the analysis of data via linear mixed models (LMMs). We tested 19 Polish L1 viewers with advanced English proficiency watching two clips with English soundtrack with Polish subtitles. First, we compared PRT at two different subtitle speeds: 12 characters per second (cps) and 20 cps. Then, we used actual subtitle speed rates to better understand the speed-PRT relationship. The results showed a significantly higher PRT for 20 cps compared to 12 cps, with the models predicting a PRT of 45.24% at 20 cps. We have also found strong evidence of the advantage of LMMs over more commonly used statistical techniques.

Keywords: subtitling, subtitle speed, eye tracking, proportional reading time, linear mixed effects models
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Subtitle speed
    • 1.2Measuring the reading time of subtitles
    • 1.3Overview of the current study
  • 2.Methods
    • 2.1Participants
    • 2.2Apparatus
    • 2.3Materials
    • 2.4Data processing and analysis
      • 2.4.1Subtitle selection
      • 2.4.2Variables and data analysis
  • 3.Results
    • 3.1Comparing PRT at 12 cps and 20 cps
    • 3.2Finding the relationship between Actual Speed and PRT
  • 4.Discussion
  • 5.Conclusions, limitations and future research avenues
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 3 December 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/tcb.00057.sza
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