Another holiday season has come and gone, but many of the traditional and beloved tunes we hear so often during the last month of the year are still probably fresh in our minds. Some of them stand the test of time and are set to lyrics in many different languages. Have you ever wondered what the process of translating a song entails and why it is hardly ever a word-by-word or line-by-line translation?
Music translation projects can have different purposes and, consequently, different requirements. For instance, if the purpose of a given music project is to preserve the message and function of the source lyrics, knowledge of the source and target languages will be a must. For most projects, although not necessarily a requirement, musical knowledge can be extremely helpful, especially when there is a need to make or suggest small musical changes to better convey the intended message.
Since lyrics are basically poetry set to music, music translators need to understand and take into consideration the following principles of poetic form:
● Meter: The number of syllables in each line of each verse. In music translation, each syllable corresponds to one or more musical notes. Music translators need to follow the meter of the song to ensure that their translation will fit the music.
● Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each line of each verse. It is important to understand this pattern to preserve the natural prosody of the words used in the translation and to ensure that they are easy to sing.
● Rhyme: The pattern of similar sounding syllables in each verse of the lyrics. Just like most poems, music lyrics tend to have a set rhyme scheme. Music translators should try to follow this or establish a different one that fits the music.
● Phrasing: The alignment of the translation with the musical phrases. The translated lyrics will sound off when they are sung if the phrases in the translation do not align with the musical phrases.
● Repetition: The intentional repeating of words, phrases, or lines within the lyrics. Repetition helps transmit the song’s message, so it should be preserved in music translation whenever possible.
By now you may be thinking that these principles probably sound like a lot to take into consideration, and they are. They can make the task of translating a song much like putting the pieces of a tricky puzzle together — not easy! In this effort, music translators must consider how each word they use matches the principles of poetic form. However, the challenge posed by music translation does not end here.
In addition to taking the principles of poetic form into consideration, music translators also must be able to recognize all sorts of literary devices found in the source lyrics, such as imagery and metaphor, and consider if these literary devices are appropriate for the target audience (if they can even be replicated in the translation). Depending on the purpose of the project, music translators should also try to match the register of the source lyrics. Because there is so much to consider when translating a song, music translation tends to be much more time-consuming than other types of translation (but it sure is worth it!).
Music is a powerful tool across languages and cultures. It can evoke memories and emotions in a beautiful and unique way. It is no wonder that, during the month of December, so many of us around the globe can listen to the same cherished tunes and feel the same joyful feelings. So, next time you hear a translated song, think of all the aspects a music translator had to take into consideration to produce a singable and beautiful translation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Patricia Worsley
Patricia is an English <> Portuguese translator from Santos, Brazil. She holds a translation certificate from Brasillis Idiomas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a Master’s Degree in Translation and Interpretation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has worked as a freelance and an in-house translator with journalistic and religious texts. She has also managed the translation of a genealogy company’s blog into 14 languages. Currently, she is working as a music translator project supervisor, which allows her to combine her love for music with her passion for languages.
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