– How are poetry and song lyrics translated from their original language to other languages without losing the rhyme scheme and meter?
In: 4
So, the other two comments have made a proper analysis, but I would actually like to draw a major difference:
A ***translation***, is when you take something from Language A, essentially make sure that the works in Language B mean the same thing as close as possible, without regard with compatibility. “A tie” in English does not, and will not ever take the same space as “une cravate” in French, and that’s just the way it is. This is not what you are referring to, though.
What you want to discuss, is a ***localisation***, where relevant linguistic experts will take the line from Language A, get the meaning in its essence, and try to find a line in Language B that conveys the same meaning, even if it doesn’t at all translate from one to the other.
This is how, for instance, Girlfriend by Robyn has very different lyrics in English than its French localization, yet the crux of the evoked image is the same.
In English:
> Call your Girlfriend,
>
> It’s time you had the talk,
>
> Give your reasons,
>
> Say it’s not her fault.
>
> But you,
>
> Just met somebody new.
In French (named “Sans Cri Ni Haine”, by Marie Mai, and translated, to show the meaning switch):
> Without Cry nor Hate,
>
> Tell her to be strong,
>
> Life is taking you,
>
> It is not her fault,
>
> It’s us,
>
> We have gone crazy.
It doesn’t fit. Words are not 1:1, and mean different, but the imagery are the same, in the essence that it’s telling the singer’s lover to dump their girlfriend/boyfriend. That’s what happens. “How could I evoke the same image, with different, maching words.
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