20. Translating Lyrics: The Procedure
• Read through the lyrics—getting the first
impression.
• Listen to the song with lyrics.
• Understand the lyrics.
• Find narrative voice.
21. Translating Lyrics: The Procedure
• Translate literally—Decide the tone.
• Find alternatives.
• Abandon / Recreate.
• Rhyming. (if necessary, if possible, if able)
• Reading through the translation.
22. Keys to Lyrical Translation
• Keep the original strophe format and sentence
structure.
• Avoid literal translation, apply literary
translation.
• Keep sentences short.
23. Keys to Lyrical Translation
• Keep the same translation methodology
for paired strophes.
• Keep the image as possible as you can.
• Re-invent the rhymes. Rhyme, whenever
necessary.
• Team up, cross examination.
24. General Mistakes/Problems
• Too literal (lyric/poetry contains symbolism
and imagery)
• Choosing wrong or awkward words (in
general)
• Often colloquial
