Lyrics translation essay

Taking the findings into consideration it could be said that the word ‘translation’ should be avoided in reference to the act of transferring the song lyrics of a musical in one language into another language. More apt descriptive phrases for this process would probably be ‘text arrangement’ or ‘interpretation’.

The translator’s assignment is to make a singable translation of a song from any genre (pop, rock, folk music, musical comedy, opera, etc.) which a musician later must be able to perform credibly.

More apt descriptive phrases for this process would probably be ‘text arrangement’ or ‘interpretation’. Key words: musical, translation, word count, syllables, word-for-word, additions, omissions, metaphors, rhymes, reorganizations, paraphrases.

For instance, the translator needs to have a good sense of rhythm to make a successful translation, so that s/he does not put a long syllable on a short note, to mention but one example.