Closed Captioning = Lack of High Expectations
Please pardon this short rant.
While working out today, I happened to have the pleasure of watching a show with closed captioning as I ran on the treadmill.
I was overly bothered by the misspellings and improper grammar usage that appeared on the screen. It’s obvious accuracy and proper use of the English language are not a priority when one wants to become a closed captioning writer.
More annoying is the question of WHY?
Why do we allow this?
Why do we support this lack of skill for our children to observe?
It teaches them that mediocrity is acceptable and they can get a job doing tasks that require English mastery yet the powers that be won’t enforce it.
Maybe I’m being ridiculous. I mean, how many people use closed captioning anyway? Or who even pays attention to the errors when watching a program with it? In my opinion, if one person is being exposed to it, then that’s one too many.
Come on people, expect better and continue enforcing high expectations! Your future depends on it.
Where else have you noticed a lack of high expectations with English language usage?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.
Your expectations also have to be reasonable though. Are you watching a live event? Is the captioner hearing the audio the same moment you are? Then how can you expect every last name to be spelled correctly and every comma in its place? That’s a tall task at 250wpm with three people talking at once.
Hi Derek, Thanks for chiming in! I agree they should be reasonable if it is a live event, as it is hard to keep up with a speaker. However, most of the shows I noticed the errors are pre-recorded. Maybe my rant should include asking close captioning writers to proof read their script before submitting.