Harmonized Translation: A Case Study from English to Serbian
Abstract
Harmonized translation is not just a process of translation; it is a creative endeavor that transcends simple language conversion. It's a sophisticated method that artfully interweaves the original song’s melody, rhythm, and poetic essence with the target language. This results in a seamless and expressive rendition that resonates with its new audience while preserving the original's musical integrity, emotional resonance, and contextual relevance. In essence, harmonized translation is a profound way of connecting languages and cultures through the power of music, inspiring a new level of creativity in the translation process. Compared to traditional translation theories, which encompass lyrics and poems as discussed by Munday, J. (2016), harmonized translation emphasizes measurable qualities necessary for achieving what can succinctly be described as fidelity.
References
Affeich, A., & Bou Ali, M. (2018). Singing in Translation: A Different Echo of Toyor Baby Songs. International Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijclts.v.6n.4p.10
Akerström, J. (2010). Translating Song Lyrics: A Study of the Translation of the Three Musicals by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Södertörns College.
Aronson, G., & Box, K. (2021). Song Translation Analysis as a Means for Intercultural Connectivity. Journal of Urban Society’s Arts, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.24821/jousa.v8i1.5444
Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. (2009). Translating Song Lyrics: A Study of the Translation of the Three Musicals by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Södertörns College.
Budiman, A., Wulandari, Y., & Rosyidah, N. (2023). Revisiting Newmark’s Theory of Translation: To What Extent Is It Appropriate. English Education, Linguistics, and Literature Journal, 2(1).
Corness, P. J. (2018). A strategy for czech-english verse translation. Casopis pro Moderni Filologii, 100(2).
Cotes, M. (2004). Traducción de canciones : Grease. Puentes, 6(noviembre 2005).
Gunter, B. (2022). Translating Musicality: Tools from the Translation Lab’s Work with The Cape Snatcher . Comedia Performance, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.5325/comeperf.19.1.0101
Herfkens, R. (2016). A smile and a tear – Dutch cabaret as a satirical vessel for social critique. Limina, 21(2).
Jing, N. X., & Amini, M. (2019). Problems and solutions in english-chinese translation of song lyrics in mulan. Journal of Advanced Research in Dynamical and Control Systems, 11(5 Special Issue).
Kaźmierczak, M. (2021a). Tłumaczenie parodii – przestrzeń eksperymentu? (Tuwim, Leśmian i zaproszenie do gry). Przekładaniec, 43. https://doi.org/10.4467/16891864pc.21.031.15145
Kaźmierczak, M. (2021b). Translating Parody as a Domain of Experiment. Przekladaniec, 2021(43). https://doi.org/10.4467/16891864PC.21.031.15145
Kaźmierczak, M. (2023). Translating Parody as a Domain of Experiment? Two Polish Poets and an Invitation to Play the Game. Przekładaniec, 47. https://doi.org/10.4467/16891864epc.23.010.18089
Leni, C., & Pattiwael, A. S. (2019). Analyzing Translation Strategies Utilized in the Translation of Song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?". Journal of Language and Literature, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.24071/joll.v19i1.1808
Low, P. (2003). Singable translations of songs. Perspectives: Studies in Translatology, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676X.2003.9961466
Low, P. (2005). The Pentathlon Approach to Translating Songs. In Approaches to Translation Studies (Vol. 25). https://doi.org/10.1163/9789401201544_007
Low, P. (2008). Translating songs that rhyme. Perspectives: Studies in Translatology, 16(1–2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050802364437
Low, P. (2013). When songs cross language borders: Translations, adaptations and “replacement texts.” Translator, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13556509.2013.10799543
Low, P. A. (2017). Translating song : lyrics and texts.
Mathie-Heck, J. (2009). Translating Gjergj Fishta’s epic masterpiece, Lahuta e Malcis, into English as The Highland Lute. TranscUlturAl: A Journal of Translation and Cultural Studies, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.21992/t9j04r
Michals, D. K. (2015). The Link between Physical Activity Or Movement and Cognitive Development for Preschool Learning in Literacy, Math, Motor Skills and Healthy Body Awareness: an Integrative Approach for all Children. Edulearn15: 7th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies.
Munday, J. (2016). Introducing translation studies: Theories and applications. In Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315691862
Pratt, K. (2014). “Moult a sans et vallour”: Studies in Medieval French Literature in Honor of William W. Kibler. French Studies, 68(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/fs/knt291
Stephenson, J. (2013). “Quizás, quizás, quizás”. Translators’ dilemmas and solutions when translating spanish songs into english. DEDiCA Revista de Educação e Humanidades (Dreh), 6. https://doi.org/10.30827/dreh.v0i6.6968
Suwaj, J. (2014). TRANSLATING CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SONGS INTO POLISH: WORD-FOR-WORD, SENSE-FOR-SENSE OR ADAPTATION? International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 7(4).
Vinyo, I. Y., Dumedah, J. E., Yekple, S. L. K., & Attricki, C. M. (2022). Anlo War Songs: The Linguistic Prowess of Warriors. American Journal of Literature Studies, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.47672/ajls.1041
Wysocka, A. (2021a). Prosody, Semantics and Style. On the Hierarchy of Levels of Equivalence in the Translation of Cabaret Songs (Case Study: Polish Versions of Fred Ebb’s Money…). LingVaria, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.12797/LV.16.2021.32.11
Wysocka, A. (2021b). Prozodia, semantyka, styl – o hierarchii poziomów ekwiwalencji w tłumaczeniu piosenki kabaretowej (studium przypadku: polskojęzyczne warianty Money… Freda Ebba). LingVaria, 16(2(32)). https://doi.org/10.12797/lv.16.2021.32.11
Xiao-bing, Z. (2021). Analysis of the Russian Translation of the “Shijing” Song “Longing for the Husband.” Russian and Chinese Studies, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.17150/2587-7445.2021.5(1).56-61
Copyright (c) 2024 Aleksandar Perisic
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
