Reading second language subtitles: A case study of Afrikaans viewers reading in Afrikaans and English

In South Africa subtitles are predominantly received as second language (L2) text. This poses questions as to how people perceive these subtitles, and if and how their reading of L2 subtitles differs from their reading of L1 subtitles. This study examined the effectiveness of English L2 subtitles by presenting native speakers of Afrikaans with subtitles displayed in Afrikaans and L2 English while recording their eye movements, and comparing the data to that of English L1 speakers reading English subtitles. The initial hypothesis was that there would be a difference in L1 and L2 subtitle reading in terms of processing. Statistically significant differences were found for dwell time, fixation time and fixation count. Other possible influencing factors were considered, but none had a statistically significant effect on the results; one group processed the English L2 subtitles with more difficulty. Afrikaans L1 speakers have a high level of proficiency in Afrikaans and English to the extent that they are near or fully bilingual. If this unique group of viewers experienced difficulty reading English L2 subtitles, the implications of English L2-only subtitles are even greater for other language groups in South Africa who do not share similar levels of English proficiency.