British TV shows shown in America now have sub titles

We noticed recently that we can now follow the dialogue on the British shows that are shown on TV in America because they are putting the subtitles on the bottom so you can understand what they are saying. How convenient. 

What is that about a common language?

DH feels the further North you go the harder it can be  to  understand. He says only the USA had subtitles for Trainspotting.. 

Jim, what shows are these? 

We noticed the other night that BBCA was subtitling Ashes to Ashes -- but only Glenister's character and only some of the speeches.  They must have deemed his accent too exotic for the American ear.

We noticed the other night that BBCA was subtitling Ashes to Ashes -- but only Glenister's character and only some of the speeches.  They must have deemed his accent too exotic for the American ear.

Ridiculous.  How insulting.

Though, now that I think about it, I used to watch a Quebecois program on a French TV channel that was subtitled in standard French.  Plus DH has just told me that there used to be a Scottish program that was subtitled in England.  I still think that it's ridiculous and insulting, but I guess there's a precedent.

DH feels the further North you go the harder it can be  to  understand. He says only the USA had subtitles for Trainspotting.. 

The BBC subtitled the first series of Rab C Nesbitt for the Sassenachs, didn't they?

[edit] this may be what historyenne's DH meant?

The BBC subtitled the first series of Rab C Nesbitt for the Sassenachs, didn't they?

[edit] this may be what historyenne's DH meant?

Yep, that's the one.

Yep, that's the one.

They realised their mistake after the howls of protest, I believe.

I've been watching repeats of 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' on telly, and when Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail have a row I need to translate for Dan!  Subtitles would be a great help!  I really don't think a show like this would be commissioned now, and I am sure it would have to be subtitled for BBCA!


Vicky

Ridiculous.  How insulting.

And distracting!

MTV has  had subtitles on UK Bands since like the 90's, I remember watching Oasis with subtitles!

They use subtitles on Last Restaurant Standing, not for the Brits on the show, rather for the French Chef, on occasion.

My question is I wonder who decides, who and when they subtitle, afterall the shows are on the BBCAmerica Channel. Maybe someone at the BBC decides which areas of the UK have difficult accents to understand.

I really don't think its insulting because some of the accents in the UK can be difficult for people to understand, especially if its the first time hearing that specific accent. I remember saying to one of my coworkers that I didn't understand an English taxi driver when I was up north and he (a Brit) said he also had a difficult time understanding the accents of that area.

I once went into a pub in Osset (near Wakefield) in Yorkshire and the lady behind the bar couldn't understand me! She had to find someone who understood southern folk! I am from Bristol and originally London.

When I was about 15 they showed us the video of Gregory's Girl at school (in England). We couldn't understand any of it. Seriously.

What is that US show that's similar to wife swap? Trading Spouses? One time they had a family on there from Louisiana and they put subtitles on them because of their accents!