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1. s2ss Song Translation English Department Seminar: Advanced Translation Professor: Eva Stahlheber WS 2012/ 13, 15.01.2012 Presentation: ChristinGäbel, Bianka Werner

2. 1 Introduction2 History 3 Motives4 Theory5 Two Examples6 Practical Example 7 Exercises Outline Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

3. 1 Introduction Definition: Song or Vocal translation Translation of the poetic discourse in the art of the musicopoetic forms, shapes and skills, harmonizing together the conflicting roles of both music and language ! Closely linked to translation of poetry  Most vocal music is set to verse ! Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

4. 1 Introduction Music Genres • (Religious) Hymn • Opera • Classical • Folk • Musical Play • Pop • Rock • Metal • And more… Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

5. 2 History of Song Translation • Religious Hymn Translation • Song translation began with Martin Luther (15th century) • Translation of song originates in church songs • Congregational Singing  Singing as a form of togetherness • ! Congregational Singability For every note a syllable ! Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

6. 2 History of Song Translation • Bad Example: St.Patricks hymn "Be though my vision" Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

7. 2 History of Song Translation • Good Example: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

8. 3 Motives of Song Translation • Economic Factors • Opportunities for singers to become known internationally • Pop music leading genre to translate songs • Accessibility • Subtitles keep originals structure and authenticity (e.g. Opera) • Enable artists to understand what they are singing in a foreign language • Help fans to understand foreign music (e.g. Internet song translation) Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

9. Song Translation 4 Theory of Song Translation Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

10. Song Translation • More restrictive than translation of poetry  Use Skopos theory ! • Challenge: assignment of syllables to specific notes in original • Contrafactum = substitution of one text for another without substantial change to the music • Process of making sacrifices (Indicates quality of translation) • Criteria: singability, rhyme, rhythm, and naturalness 4 Theory of Song Translation Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

11. 4 Theory of Song Translation • !Logocentrism vs. Musicocentrism! • Symbiosis of logocentrism (dominace of the word) and musicocentrism (dominance of sound) • decide on weight of importance • Sound dominates text (e.g. Classical Music) vs. • Text dominates sound (e.g. Hip Hop) • One rule: music predates text ! Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

12. Rhyme & Fidelity • Prime reason for failure of song translation: focus on rhyme • Auditory effect of rhyme much weaker than in poetry • Modification of both rhyme • and meaning • Exception to the rule: Hip Hop 4 Theory of Song Translation Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

13. Rules • Three-character principle faithfulness, expressiveness, correspondence • Functional equivalence theory • 1. Full equivalence almost impossible • 2. Meaning of original should be closely observed • 3. Modifications should not hurt meaning of the original • 4. Social and cultural connotations must be taken into account • 5. Translated lyrics should be a poem rather than prose 4 Theory of Song Translation Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

14. Options for the Translator • 1. Not translating lyrics • 2. Translating the lyrics without taking the music into consideration • 3. Adapting the music to the translation • 4. Adapting the translation to the music • 5. Writing new lyrics 4 Theory of Song Translation Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

15. Analysis • Logocentristic criteria • Dramatic Situation – Who?, Where?, When?, What?, How? • Imagery: Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory, Gustatory, Tactile • Theme: Various themes of the song • Diction (word choice): Connotation, Metaphor, Irony, Puns etc. • Syntax: Length, Complexity, Transposed elements 4 Theory of Song Translation Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

16. Analysis • Musicocentristic criteria • Prosody • Rhythm • Melody • Mood • Harmony • Style • Form • Instruments 4 Theory of Song Translation ! Last Step: Combine logocentristic and musicocentristic elements ! Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

17. 5 Nena „99 Luftballons Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

18. 5 Nena „99 Luftballons Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

19. 5 Nena „99 Luftballons Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

20. 5 Nena „99Luftballons“ Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

21. 5 The Beatles „I want to hold your hand“ Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

22. 5 The Beatles „I want to hold your hand“ Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

23. 5 The Beatles „I want to hold your hand“ Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

24. 6 Practical Example Song - Vanity of Vanities Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

25. 7 Exercises Headline 1. Vanity of Vanities = EitelkeitderEitelkeiten Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

26. 7 Exercises • Headline • Vanity of Vanities = EitelkeitderEitelkeiten • Verse 1 • I've been watching you for days now = Ich beobachte dich schon seit Tagen Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

27. 7 Exercises • Headline • Vanity of Vanities = EitelkeitderEitelkeiten • Verse 1 • I've been watching you for days now = Ich beobachte dich schon seit Tagen • From the other side of the room = Von deranderenZimmerseite Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

28. 7 Exercises • Headline • Vanity of Vanities = EitelkeitderEitelkeiten • Verse 1 • I've been watching you for days now = Ich beobachte dich schon seit Tagen • From the other side of the room = Von deranderenZimmerseite • Like the points of two ice picks your eyes are sharp and blue • = WiezweiEisspitzensinddeineAugendurchdringend und blau Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

29. 7 Exercises • Headline • Vanity of Vanities = EitelkeitderEitelkeiten • Verse 1 • I've been watching you for days now = Ich beobachte dich schon seit Tagen • From the other side of the room = Von deranderenZimmerseite • Like the points of two ice picks your eyes are sharp and blue • = WiezweiEisspitzensinddeineAugendurchdringend und blau • The chance of sin never occurred to you • = Das RisikozurSündekam dir nie in den Sinn Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

30. 7 Exercises Bridge A giant hawk angel, a creature from above = Ein riesiger Engelsfalke, ein Wesen von oben (vom Himmel) You were when I first met you = Warst du, als ich dich zum ersten mal sah But I've never been, I have never been in love = Aber ich war nie verliebt, ich war nie verliebt Verse 2 Lions and serpents and eagles have served me for years = Löwen und Schlangen und Adler habenmirJahregedient They cover my body, protect me from fears = Sie bedecken/ zieren meinen Körper, schützen mich vor meinen Ängsten I tried to get through to you but all you ever say is = Ich versuchte dich zu erreichen, aber alles was du jemals sagst ist Refrain I got no use for it = Ich kann es nicht gebrauchen/ ich brauch es nicht Vanity of vanities = EitelkeitderEitelkeiten I got no use for it= Ichbrauchesnicht Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

31. References Gorlée, Dinda L. (2005). Song and Significance: Virtues and Vices of Vocal Translation. New York: Editions Rodopi B.V. Graham, Arthur (1989). "A New Look at Recital Song Translation." In: Translation Review, Volume 29, Issue 1: pp. 31-37. Franzon, Johan (2008). "Choices in Song Translation: Singability in Print, Subtitles and Sung Performance." In: The Translator: Volume 14, Issue 2. Finland: University of Helsinki: pp. 373-399. Low, Peter (2003). "Translating poetic songs: An attempt at a functional account of strategies." In: Target, Volume 15, Number 1. John Benjamins Publishing Company: pp. 91-110(20). Oracle ThinkQest Education Foundation (2013). "How to Analyze Poetry". In: Students for Students. Accessed on 17.12.2012 from <http://www.thinkquest.org/dsc/docs/competition_tou_09132011USEN039 66.shtml?cc=us> Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel

32. Videos D. Kiss Ildikó - RopTú Mo Baile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6tuTOwcb9E Be Though My Vision http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCGxhzb7JP0 Seminar: Advanced Translation Bianka Werner - Christin Gäbel