The show with its star-studded cast has been a hit for Netflix
House of Guinness has recently made its debut on Netflix, quickly climbing into the global top 10 TV shows on the streaming giant, leaving fans eagerly anticipating news of a potential second series, reports the Mirror.
The drama, crafted by Steven Knight, masterfully intertwines fact and fiction against the backdrop of stunning locations, spinning a tale of family loyalty and politics in 19th century Dublin.
The show boasts a star-studded cast led by Enola Holmes’ Louis Partridge, Masters of the Air’s Anthony Boyle, Emily Fairn from The Responder, and Happy Valley’s James Norton, with supporting roles filled by Fionn O’Shea, Jack Gleeson, Niamh McCormack, Seamus O’Hara, and David Wilmot.
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The series has proven to be a hit for Netflix, amassing an impressive 35.7 million viewing hours in just four days, according to Tudum.
However, what viewers may not have noticed is that House of Guinness marks a significant milestone for the streaming service as it introduced Irish subtitles for the first time ever on the platform.
Netflix, accessible to people in 190 countries, only offers subtitles in 33 languages and dubbing options in 36 languages, making the addition of Irish subtitles a monumental first.
In an exclusive chat with Reach Screen Time, Noël Wolf, a cultural and linguistic expert at language learning platform Babbel, shed light on why this move holds such importance.
Wolf stated: “The cultural significance of this step lies in visibility. Languages thrive when they are not only taught but also seen and heard in daily life.
“This move is a cultural milestone that makes the Irish language more accessible to heritage speakers who may not use it often, whilst also opening up opportunities for learners to connect with it outside formal education.
“It shows that TV can be used as a powerful tool to keep languages alive and interactive in a fun and relevant way.”
A rising trend has shown Gen Z are massive fans of subtitles when watching programmes, meaning they’re utilised now more than ever before.
He observed: “This shift means that languages like Irish, when made available in subtitle form, will likely reach an audience far wider than traditional learners alone.”
Fascinatingly, the language expert revealed that research demonstrates watching with subtitles can “enhance comprehension, improve memory” when attempting to master a new language.
Wolf continued: “Expanding language options on streaming platforms therefore not only meets audience demand, but also creates new opportunities for accessibility and education.”
Wolf’s comments indicate that with the introduction of Irish subtitles on the platform, there could be more people now becoming acquainted with the Irish language and also inspired to learn it thanks to House of Guinness.
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