{"id":449,"date":"2023-12-14T21:01:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T02:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/wamfall23\/?p=449"},"modified":"2023-12-15T20:40:04","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T01:40:04","slug":"found-in-translation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/wamfall23\/2023\/12\/14\/found-in-translation\/","title":{"rendered":"Found In Translation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The treasure trove of song lyrics in other languages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By: Yaritza Padilla<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you listen to music in a language you do not understand? In regard to the language of music, oftentimes we may only really need to understand the feelings behind the sounds, rhythms, notes, pronunciations, and such to grasp the overall theme of a song. However, increased global interconnectedness allows for easy access to a wide variety of translations. But which translation is most correct? Many people have heard the phrase \u201clost in translation\u201d, but what if we are finding it by looking through a different lens. The message tends to be lost when something is transcribed rather than translated. Where a transcription is the literal word-for-word translation rather than a new and creative way to relay meaning. Each language is unique, and the same words may play distinct roles when put together within a conversation. A good translation focuses on the message intended to be relayed rather than the original words. The best translators are unafraid to utilize different words that better capture the sentiments behind what the artists truly want to communicate to their audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the realm of K-pop the growth of the global market has created a higher demand for translations. While companies have implemented teams of official translators, a wave of creativity from the audience themselves has led to a wider variation of both translations and meanings. Fans often employ social media platforms to search for and discover a translation or translator whose creative approach to language renders best their own understanding of the meaning behind a song. If the official translation released by the company does not evoke the same feelings within the fan as the original song itself, then translation accounts within various social media platforms may offer more creative and meaningful interpretations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An English cover for \u201cFake Love\u201d by BTS was produced by the youtuber JLyrics Official<\/a>, in which they strayed from the company\u2019s official translations in order to discover a more profound meaning. The original translation<\/a>, although effectively communicating the song\u2019s message, does not succeed in creating that extra layer of sentimental depth that a translation whose lyrics match the music can produce. Official lyrics: \u201cMold a pretty lie for you Love it\u2019s so mad (x2) Trying to erase myself and make me your doll\u201d versus unofficial: \u201cA perfect illusion created for you Love you so mad (x2) A beautiful doll thrown away when you’re through\u201d. The ending rhymes alone create a stronger appeal to the ear and overall greater emotional passion is sparked when lyrics do not awkwardly miss match the rhythm of the music. In regard to language, multilingual fans may find a greater intensity of meaning and understanding in a particular language\u2019s translation over another. The song \u201cI NEED U\u201d by BTS carries immense power within the English translation<\/a>, yet in Spanish<\/a> the song is given an entirely new life in which the emotions are truly raw and fresh. Official lyrics: \u201cYou\u2019re beautiful You\u2019re so cold\u201d versus unofficial: \u201cY es que me encantas Tu a mi me matas\u201d. Despite both translations relaying the same message, each language has drastically different forms of communication and words of expression. Unlocking several new words that yield extraordinary emotional value to that particular audience. In the English version the lyrics compare a person\u2019s beauty to their cold behavior, while in Spanish it expresses the person\u2019s ability to have the artist completely under their spell and kill them with ease. The word encantas comes from the root word encanto which directly translates to charm, often associated with magical spells and such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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