Well, I am not so new that I haven't seen the fur fly over subs vs. dubs.
I try to watch subs. I am watching Fruits Basket now, and I have to use the dubs, there is just too much going on for me to be able to read that fast, and still see the anime. But then I accidently made the DVD play english subs, while in dub mode, and man the two did not go together! So I am guessing that the subs were written in Japan, and the dub script was written here.
Can't read, or write kana, but am starting to be able to listen to some. Hope to continue improving.
By the by, you can call me by my name. It's Jay.