subtitles or dubbing?

The last few years have seen a boom in the popularity of foreign films and television shows, especially in English. As a result, non-English-speaking audiences are getting used to subtitles and dubbing in their own languages. That is why, it seems interesting to discuss the reason why, in my opinion, it’s better to watch foreign movies with subtitles rather than the dubbed ones.

I have seen both subtitled and dubbed films, but I can tell that I find subtitling to be better. There are many reasons why I prefer this way of watching films, but the most important is  the occasion to learn some new language. In my opinion, subtitles can help a lot in learning new words and in acquiring a good accent. Understanding foreign speech is difficult and subtitles provide some lexical information.

Moreover, for me, it’s really distracting watching movies and hearing the sound which doesn’t correspond to the lip movements of the actors. The words coming out are often not synchronized and the dubbing voice doesn't match to the actors' characters.

But on the other hand, dubbing a program means that the audience doesn't have to read the dialogue while watching the show, so the attention is focused only on the image. However, according to me,  there is one particular situation where dubbing is the better method - cartoons for young children. There's a good reason for this: children can't read fast enough to understand the subtitles. That’s why, movies designed for them have to be dubbed.

To sum up, as far as I’m concerned, subtitles are better when it comes to watching foreign movies because they help in learning new language at the same time as enjoying the movies.

And what is your opinion about it? Do you think that it’s possible to learn a new language from watching foreign movies? Or do you prefer dubbed movies? J

travelling

I have just come back from Spain and inspired by conversation heard in the plane, I decided to write about travelling and its necessity. I was listening a little argument between two people (well, not quite polite from my part J ). One of them said that he can’t wait to come back home, to his comfortable bed and that “there is no place like home”. His friend, I guess, was really outraged and said that he can’t wait his next trip and he can’t stand at his own home more than one month. That’s why, I started to think about my own attitude to travelling.

Firstly, ok, it’s true that this popular proverb “there is no place like home” tells the truth. One can say that the best place for us is our home. In my opinion, it is connected with our attachment to our own place. People are used to their rooms, belongings and activities at home. When one is forced to leave, everything seems strange and hostile: a bed is uncomfortable, bathroom is ugly or a wardrobe is too small. And at home everything is suitable for you, everything is exactly the way you want it to be.

However, as far as I am concerned, travelling is an essential thing in our life. You have a possibility to discover new things, to meet new people of the different culture and to see how are they living. It broadens your mind and makes your life more interesting.

Ok, it can be expensive but, in my opinion, saving money does not make any sens! Waste some money! Go to the places which you have been dreaming about! Invest money on travelling, learn new things, learn new languages and complete your crazy dreams! J Nobody will ask you in 30 years what car you had in the past…The only thing you will have after these 30 years are memories.

Moreover, without travelling it's easy to believe there is only one way to live and only one way to think…BUT IT’S NOT TRUE! Travelling is the best way of having new experiences. Imagine climbing  a mountain or going for a walk on the beach, or going to a museum … Imagine the infinite possibilities travelling opens up for you.

To sum up, I think I am quite lucky, cause I've had a lot of possibilities to travel around the world and I can surely say that it’s one of the best things you can do in your life! And what is your opinion about it? Do you prefer to stay at home or to travel? What type of  person are you: “home-bird” or just the opposite? 

topic of the month

Inspired by the post made by our lecturer of English, I decided to present my opinion about quite controversial subject, and more precisely, to answer the following question:

“Should those who choose to live in a foreign country be required to learn its official language?”

Firstly, forcing immigrants to do something against their will is a sign of xenophobia and, in a word, it’s simply unfair. It's their life and their own wish to learn a language or not. Moreover, as a student of French philology, I know that it’s extremely difficult to learn a new language.

What’s more, one of the reasons for people to come to a foreign country, is to start a new life, without any requirements. Everybody should be allowed to come to the new place no matter what language he speaks. So why make unnecessary demands?

But on the other hand, it makes sense that the newcomers should learn the official language. How else would they supposed to communicate? What happens if there would be an accident and they would need help and finally didn't get it because they didn't speak the language? There are a hundred different reasons why people need to learn the language of the country they live in, not just for assimilation but also for safety. I would say that it’s a sort of survival.

Furthermore, there’s no need to speak like a lawyer, I mean, to be grammatically correct. You need just learn the basic words and that's all. I think that people are smart enough to choose for themselves if they want to speak one language or not. In the course of time, for whatever reason (to earn more money or even to be able to speak with others), the newcomers will probably learn one language so it’s no need to force them to do it.

To sum up, in my opinion, learning official language of the country you choose to live in, should be a matter of personal choice and not of the requirement of law.

And what is your opinions about it? Are you agree with me? :)

"the true story of a real fake"

Have you seen the movie "Catch me if you can"? It's a 2002 American biographical crime drama film based on the life of Frank Abagnale, a good-looking American boy who, before his 19th  birthday, pretended to be first Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor and then a lawyer. This story is so outrageous that if I didn't know it was based on a true story, I would have thought that it was just Hollywood garbage. That's why, I would like to tell you a few words about this amazing man. 

Before he was 19 years ols, Frank Abagnale pulled off so many impossible scams that you can hardly believe that he was able to do it. For five years he travelled the world for free, stayed in expensive hotels and had relationships with beautiful women. By the age of 21. he had cheated his way to $2.5 million!!! He was an international man od mystery. He was wanted by the FBI and Interpol (International Police) in 26 countries! His good looks helped him, but his charm was his most important tool...He dressed well and everybody believed the stories he made up. Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Frank Abagnale in the film, said that "Abagnale is one of the greatest actors who has walked the Earth". 

At the age of 16., Frank ran away from home and began to be an international trickster. He used magnetic ink to change bank code numbers illegally. He managed to steal $40.000 of other customers' money before the banks worked out what he was doing. He also got a pilot's uniform by saiyng that his was lost at the dry cleaner's and that he had an urgent flight. What's more, he pretended to be a doctor for a year. With no formal training, he picked up the skills by reading medical books and watching other doctors at work. Can you imagine?

I won't tell you his whole story because you have to see this movie! It's really worth watching! (even if it would be only for Leonardo DiCaprio, who can really act! )

Here some shots of the movie:

And Frank Abagnale in the flesh:

Portugal

I was in Lisbon few weeks ago and I have to admit that this city is amazing!! I visited my friends who are studying there and I fell in love with Portugal! That's why, I would love to give you some reasons to visit this beautiful country!  

First of all, when it comes to the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a city ruled by landscapes. Sited on seven hills running down to the grand Tagus River, this city is one of the most scenic cities which I've ever seen! Beautifuls views are found at every turn! Colorful, picturesque streets and pastel-colored buildings give an amazing atmosphere. 

Moreover, one of Lisbon's most popular acitivites is bar-hopping through Bairro Alto, a central district. As one of the top wine-producing countries in the world, Portugal also attracts tourists looking to discover its wines but also other drinks, so when I was there, I had to try it! That's why, I went to the "Museu da cerveja". It's one of the several restaurants in Comercio Square and it's also a museum. Up the stairs is a small space presenting the history of beer. The ground level is spacious and very attractive but to be honest, most people were looking for the tables outside to drink some refreshing beer in the sun :)

When it comes to food, it's obligatory to go to the famous pastry shop "Fabrica dos Pasteis de Belem" and try the delicious cake of Belem. It's a kind of egg tart pastry that is famous for its authentic Portuguese taste. Because this recipe has been kept in secrecy throughout history, the best place where tourists can enjoy its true flavor is still in Lisbon! :)

The other thing that you must do when you're in Lisbon, is going on a ride on Tram 28, one of the city's main icons, the best and the cheapest way to discover Lisbon. This legendary tram is a tourist attraction in itself and it goes all aroud the town. 

To sum up, there are some places you will never leave. You may not be there physically, but a piece of you stays there forever ! And Lisbon is a place that stole my heart! That's why I highly recommend all of you to visit this stunning city :) 

The Scream

“The Scream” is one of the most celebrated and recognized paintings in art history. The Norwegian artist Edvard Munch’s image was painted in 1893.

Although this fact is often forgotten, Munch intended “The Scream” to be part of a series, known as the “Frieze of Life” which explores three different themes : Love, Anxiety and Death. “The Scream” was the final work of the Love theme, and signified despair because according to Munch, despair was the ultimate outcome of love.

This painting shows a bald, mouth open and deformed figure standing on a bridge under a yellow-orange sky. This central figure barely looks human and the background figures are unidentifiable.

When it comes to the setting, this scene has a real location. The landscape in the background is Oslofjord, viewed from the hill of Ekeberg, in Oslo. Thanks to the artist’s dynamic use of curving lines and strong colors, the composition has an intense energy.

From my point of view, the central figure isn’t screaming. It's his inner self, the person he's keeping locked away inside, coming out to show the frustration which life can bring onto people. I think that we all know this feeling, and we all hold it inside of ourselves.

Moreover, in 2013, “The Scream” was one of four paintings that the Norwegian postal service chose for a series of stamps marking the 150th anniversary of Edvard Munch’s birth.

What it's also very interesting, it’s the fact that in the late twentieth century, “The Scream” was imitated and parodied. There are a lot of of fun parodies of this painting:

Screaming Homer

Screaming Macaulay Culkin known as Kevin from “Home alone”

Screaming Squidward from “SpongeBob SquarePants”

Screaming Joker from “Batman”

And what about you, do you think that creating a parody of famous work of art is suitable? Do you like this type of art? 

Easter

On the occasion of the Easter Holiday, I would like to describe some of the Easter traditions celebrated in France.

The French word for Easter is “Pâques”.  To say “Happy Easter” you can say “Joyeuses Pâques” or “Bonnes Pâques”. Easter is widely celebrated in France - by kids as well as by parents. One of the traditions on the Saturday evening is for children to prepare nests in their gardens and houses.  These nests are for the Easter bunny who will arrive during the night and will bring chocolate eggs. Some kids leave out carrots for the bunny in case he would be hungry. When they wake up on Easter Sunday, they are very excited because it's time to search for the chocolate eggs left in the nests by the Easter bunny! This egg hunt is called “La chasse aux œufs”. What’s more, there’s a traditional game on Easter Sunday. Children throw raw eggs up in the air and catch them. They keep doing this until someone drops one. The first child who will drop and break his egg is the loser, and in some versions, he must pay a penalty like giving a piece of his Easter candy to his brothers or sisters. 

When it comes to Easter food, on Good Friday, like in Poland, most of the French don’t eat meat. They only eat fish, vegetables, fruit and bread - in fact anything, as long as it is meat-free. On Easter Day, they eat roast lamb or roast pork and a lot of vegetables. They have also a cake called “La Gâche de Pâques”.  It's a very rich bread mixture which contains bread flour, sugar, milk, yeast, butter and eggs.

And what about other countries? Do you know how people celebrate Easter in Spain or in Italy? :)