Disney+ has found itself at the centre of a cultural storm after viewers discovered that their new documentary series 'The House of Guinness' comes complete with Irish subtitles - even for English-speaking audiences.
The three-part docuseries, which delves into the fascinating history of Ireland's most famous brewing dynasty, features predominantly Dublin accents throughout. However, the streaming giant's decision to automatically enable subtitles reading '[Speaking Irish English]' has left many viewers baffled and offended.
Viewer Backlash Erupts Online
Social media platforms have been flooded with complaints from frustrated subscribers. One viewer expressed their disbelief, stating: 'Watching House of Guinness on Disney+ and it has subtitles in Irish for the Irish people speaking English. This is absolutely ridiculous.'
Another added: 'The Irish accents really aren't that difficult to understand. This feels incredibly patronising to both the speakers and Irish viewers.'
Accessibility or Insensitivity?
While Disney+ likely intended the subtitles as an accessibility feature for international audiences, the execution has been widely criticised. The automatic inclusion of '[Speaking Irish English]' captions has been perceived by many as suggesting the Dublin accents are somehow foreign or difficult to comprehend.
This isn't the first time streaming services have faced criticism over subtitle policies. However, the particular phrasing used in this instance has struck a nerve with Irish audiences who feel their manner of speaking is being unnecessarily highlighted as unusual.
A Growing Pattern of Criticism
The controversy comes amid increasing scrutiny of how streaming platforms handle regional accents and dialects. Many viewers have noted that while strong regional British accents often escape similar treatment, Irish English seems to be singled out for special notation.
As one social media user pointed out: 'We don't see '[Speaking Scottish English]' when characters from Glasgow appear, so why is this necessary for Dublin accents?'
Disney+ has yet to comment on whether they'll adjust their subtitle approach for the series, but the outcry shows no signs of abating as more viewers discover the controversial feature.
