With levels of audio description on television, film and DVDs increasing around the world, there is an increasing trade in audio description files between countries. For example, many Australian DVDs feature audio description produced in the UK.
In RNIB’s study, 10 blind and vision impaired participants were shown clips of American and British shows which had been audio described in the US.
They were then asked to comment on what they thought of the description with regard to accents, wording and other differences in audio description styles between the two countries.
Three key findings were reported from the study:
- A majority of participants said that the origin of the audio description made no difference to them as long as it was of good quality and helped them follow the program.
- Participants would much rather have internationally produced audio description than none at all, and welcomed the fact that the exchange of audio description files could lead to increased levels of the service.
- Some participants thought that it was better having a program described in its country of origin, as the description fitted in better with the program.
Top of page