Translating a song and getting it to work is not easy, is it? How many times have you heard songs translated into Spanish that did not really match their original content? Probably plenty. But do you know why this happens?

Song translation is one of the greatest challenges a translator can face. Among other things, it is because the length of words and phrases varies, and as a result the rhyme, the music or the metre no longer fits. So when what we want is to translate a song to be sung, we move into transcreation, which is a freer, more creative translation of that song. And that is why, when we hear certain well-known songs that have been translated, something often feels slightly off. Because however faithful you try to be, having to “fit” the music means the meaning can shift a little.

Tips for translating a song that will be dubbed

In series and films, songs generally do have to be translated with dubbing in mind, so the song has to be adapted. In this case either the lyrics or the music may change slightly, because what is certain is that a literal translation does not work. So when a song is translated, the lyrics are usually translated with the original music in mind.

Song translation: do you know which songs are the most translated?

Let us start with “Happy Birthday”. Yes, the famous birthday song was written by two Americans in 2893, and since then it has been translated into countless languages. To many people’s surprise, the Ode to Joy is also one of the most translated songs of all time. It was originally written in German, although today it can be heard in numerous languages. And finally, “My Way”. This song was written in French in 1967, adapted into English in 1969 and remains a great song performed by countless singers today. You have probably heard Siempre Así sing it more than once, or of course Frank Sinatra (in English). Subtitling a song, however, is very different. As you can see, in that case it does not necessarily have to fit the rhyme, rhythm or metre, so traditional translation techniques can be applied and a more faithful meaning can be kept. That said, the basic rules for subtitles must not be forgotten. At AlosIdiomas we have a great team of professional translators specialising in different fields, always committed to faithful, flawless translations. Get in touch with us for more information, and follow us on social media to keep up with all our news. You will find us on facebook, instagram and Linkedin.