On: Language learning with Netflix

[dagw]

Yes! The subtitles can be completely different than the dubbing in some cases which makes it difficult for me to watch with both.

I suspect in many cases the subbing is done translating off the original script, while the dubbing is done using a completely different translation designed to flow better when spoken.

[lou1306 → dagw]

Dub-oriented translations are also designed to "look natural" when coupled with the actor's lip movements.

To make matters worse, sometimes shows are re-dubbed [0], but may retain the subtitles that were accurate to the previous dub.

[0]: For instance, Neon Genesis Evangelion was released on the Italian Netflix with a brand-new dub, which caused quite a commotion: https://comicbook.com/anime/news/neon-genesis-evangelion-net...

[digbybk → dagw]

This seems to be the case. Watching the Spanish dubbed version of Community on Hulu, the dubs have the study group taking an English class, while the subs have them in a Spanish class as in the original.

Side note: in the dubbed version, it's hilarious when they switch to speaking bad English where they would have switched to bad Spanish in the original.