In the early days of American cinema, subtitles were a rare sight. Most films were produced in English, and subtitles were only used when absolutely necessary, such as in films that featured dialogue in a foreign language. Even then, subtitles were often used sparingly, with filmmakers opting for dubbing or voiceovers instead.
| Category | Allowed (TV‑MA) | Allowed (TV‑PG‑13) | How to display | |----------|----------------|-------------------|----------------| | (e.g., “fuck”, “shit”) | Full word or hyphenated form ( f— , s— ). | Hyphenated only. | Keep the first letter visible for readability. | | Sexual references | Direct phrasing acceptable, but no explicit graphic detail. | Softened; use euphemisms (“intimate act”). | Avoid describing explicit actions; focus on the implication. | | Violence | Graphic descriptions are fine if they reflect on‑screen action. | Use neutral terms (“hits”, “shoots”). | Do not add extra gore. | | Drug slang | Retain original term if it’s a recurring brand (“6golkes”). | Replace with generic (“energy drink”). | Keep the brand name if it’s part of the plot; add a brief note if needed. | | Discriminatory slurs | If present in source, must be censored (e.g., “r—”); consult legal counsel for mandatory removal. | Same as TV‑MA. | Use the same hyphenation rule; do not translate slurs into more offensive equivalents. | Subtitles Taboo American Style 1 2 3 4 6golkes 3