Gaps between the Expectations of People with Hearing Impairment toward Subtitles and the Current Conditions for Subtitle Creation in Japan

摘要

In this study, questionnaire surveys were conducted with film producers/directors and deaf and hard-of-hearing people to consider the issues surrounding subtitling of films for people with hearing impairment in Japan. The results show that only a small number of film producers taking part in this study have engaged in subtitling, and a majority pointed out the low profitability of producing subtitles under circumstances where the actual movie-viewing demand of hearing-impaired people is unclear. On the other hand, the survey of deaf and hard-of-hearing people revealed the actual movie-viewing tendencies of people with hearing impairment equal to that of hearing people and their high expectations regarding subtitles, despite limited opportunities to watch Japanese films in movie theaters. These results suggest possibilities of creating new economic models for increasing production and access to subtitles for hearing-impaired people sustainably.