Today I would like to introduce a source of reading practice outside of novels, youtube channels with subtitles! The channel I would like to introduce today is デフサポちゃんねる.
Subtitles can be a great way to practice reading while reinforcing pronunciation and listening practice at the same time! I often look for good quality Japanese subtitles when I am searching for Japanese media to watch online.
Channel Introduction
Yukako was born hearing impaired. She grew up in a typical Japanese environment, going to a regular school and speaking Japanese while lip reading. When she was young, there was not a lot of resources that were available to her. While she may have been able to take classes to learn sign language, she didn’t really have any one in her life that she would have been able to use it with. She was a great student, got into a high level university, and started working at Sony. She quit her job after she had children as one of her children was born hearing impaired as well and Yukako needed more time to coordinate her care. While raising a deaf child, she found that there were still not many resources available and started an NPO to change that. This channel is apart of her effort to spread her knowledge and experience on the topic.
Quality of the subtitles
Great!! When it is Yukako that is speaking, the subtitles seem to 100% accurate. Sometimes there are other people who speak on the channel as well like her husband or some friends, but even then Japanese subtitles are accurate and high tranquility.
Do all of the videos have subtitles?
Yes! From the start of her channel, all videos have contained hard-coded Japanese subtitles. She also often uses a note book where she shows all of her main talking points written out.
Vocabulary
I have watched most of her videos and over all the vocabulary does seem very general. You will see some words used often related to deafness and disability. While these words are used often, there are not many of them so it will be a good chance to learn and retain these types of terms if you are interested. I found that without using SRS and just watching a few videos, the deafness and disability terms were extremely easy to pick up and remember.
Cultural education
Japan is not known as a country that provides many accommodations for others with different needs. Yukako is apart of a culture shift towards offering more support to those that need it. Through hearing about her life story, you will understand more of what it was like to grow up in the past as someone who was hearing impaired.
Why I watch this channel
I love watching this channel and hearing about Yukako’s life story. She truly seems like someone who is enjoying life and doing everything that she wants to do. Every time she talks about one of her hobbies, it seems really fun and interesting. She made me want to go out and get a boat license as well! I am really inspired by how she dedicated she is to being open about her experiences and helping others to find resources.
Thank you for the great subtitles and sharing your story Yukako!
Japanese Book Club Cafe 