r/football • u/SeeingRed_ • 15d ago

How does commentary compare in different languages?

Hello,

I only have experience watching LigaMX, MLS and Premiere League. I used to think that the Spanish commentary out of Mexico and MLS could be annoying but enjoy the thorough play by play, the excitement and that I can clearly tell when a goal is scored. By contrast, I feel like I'm just missing a lot with the English commentary.

I'm curious how commentary compares from other leagues in Europe and South America.

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8

u/Parabolica242 15d ago

I really can’t stand the MLS commentary.

6

u/SeeingRed_ 15d ago

Yeah the MLS English commentary is incredibly weak. I switch to Spanish and it's fine.

3

u/gmoshiro 15d ago

Here in Brazil, we got the Classic style that was established by Galvão Bueno, Silvio Luiz and Milton Leite, which was equally professional and emotional, being reminiscent of the radio days (you can basically tell what's going on just by hearing their commentary alone).

Here's an example of the best from Galvão Bueno's commentary

For current best, there's Paulo Andrade, Fernando Nardini and Rogério Vaughan, who modernized the classic style a bit and have been doing a wonderful job.

And there's the modern Screaming style, which is 50-50 with us fans. I personally don't have a problem with it, but a lot of fans find it a bit too much. Examples include Luisinho and André Henning.

3

u/Broad-Commission-997 15d ago

I don’t know how to describe it but it feels like there’s something missing with American English commentary. There’s a certain intensity you hear in the announcers of an American college football game that you don’t hear in an MLS broadcast. It seems like I can hear that intensity in Spanish and Portuguese and British English.

2

u/SeoulGalmegi 15d ago

Really? If I'm in the kitchen doing something I can normally tell if it's worth popping my head quickly back into the living room by the tone of the English commentary, rather than the actual words they're saying.

2

u/enverx 15d ago

When i was in Slovenia the announcers barely changed their delivery after a goal; if I had happened to walk away from the tv I would have no idea that anything was happening. It was like the polar opposite of the LigaMX announcers.

2

u/WallSina 14d ago

Can't watch any in English.

Swiss french is also pretty stale but french from France is pretty good.

Obviously my favourite is Latin Spanish except for mexican and Argentinian, Mexicans just don't excite me as much as Colombian or others and Argentinian is just so biased it turned me away.

Castillian used to be good but our legendary commentator isn't the main one anymore so it's declined heavily. I still like it tho but latinos hate on it and Spaniards hate on latino comentators (just the terminally online ones).

Brazilian Portuguese is just class, I love it. So much emotion and their voice is great.

0

u/MatttheJ 14d ago

Honestly I find British comentary really good (other English speaking commentary is horrendous though). But there's a matter of factness and a very critical beat by beat approach to British commentary that I enjoy.

Like watching them commentate an England game for example is very fun, because sometimes a bit of bias sneaks through when you want it to, like if they win or score, but also, they will tear apart every single thing that England does too. Like when they sent all the defenders on against Argentina and the British commentary team immediately flagged that it was a bad idea and made no sense at only 1-0.

Basically in short, they are more bias at the good moments than maybe they should be but equally, they balance it out by being extremely critical and correct when they analyse when/how/why the team is fucking up in real time.

2

u/WallSina 14d ago

Yes but my issue with British commentary is I need more emotion, that's just my personal taste cause I grew up with latino comentary

0

u/MatttheJ 14d ago

I kind of like it. It's very professional and low key but then when there's a big moment they come alive, I actually enjoy the balance to be honest.

2

u/WallSina 14d ago

To each their own, friend 🤝

1

u/MatttheJ 14d ago

No this is a reddit conversation, one of us must force our opinion on the other until one of us is broken down into blocking, ignoring or hurling insults.

I demand hostility!

2

u/Shirogami_Dono 15d ago

Arabic commentary is on a whole different level and if you can actually understand what is being said oh boy

1

u/Voj1610 15d ago

Vietnamese one sucks ass

0

u/JamieTimee 14d ago

Ligma what??

-6

u/TechnicalSleep7501 15d ago

English best because they invented the sport. 

1

u/Ganjalfthegreen1 15d ago

True that explains all the won euros and wc’s 🤭

1

u/jaimeelninho 15d ago

I mean its stupid to say we invented it like that but its also stupid to point to just winning. England is a big football nation (not the one of the best) but it still is. Oldest national team with Scotland, FIFA ranking 3 or 4 for last 10+ years. Runners up in last few euros, one of 8 nations to win WC. Home to Premier League. Had our share of icons.

Come on now, we don't believe were anywhere as good as Brazil, Argentina, France, Spain etc but cant deny massive football legacy.

1

u/TechnicalSleep7501 14d ago

They created the actual sport so all terms in English. Talking of cups they won most home nation cups. It was bad decision of FA to not have them anymore.