Same language subtitling: literacy development in India through film songs

Abstract

India s efforts in basic primary and adult education are turning an increasing number of non-literates into semi- and neo-literates. But due to a serious lack of literacy skill practice opportunities, many relapse into illiteracy. Same Language Subtitling refers to the idea of subtitling television and/or film programmes in the same language as the audio (e.g., Hindi programmes subtitled in Hindi). This paper proposes the use of SLS in the enormously popular film-song-based programmes on state and private television networks, as a subliminal way to integrate literacy skill practice into people s everyday television viewing. Film songs are the core of Indian popular culture, offering a unique opportunity to strengthen audio-text associations. The main advantages, which do not exist in regular dialogue, is that songs are inherently repetitive and people subconsciously anticipate song phrases.