5 ms·
I'm guessing that, in the process of translating lyrics to another language, word choices are made based on a preference for keeping the original rhyming scheme
by itronitron 7y ago
I'm guessing that, in the process of translating lyrics to another language, word choices are made based on a preference for keeping the original rhyming scheme and rhythm. Alternatively, it could just be a bias resulting from the listener's experience with each language.
- jacquesm 7y agoVery true in the case of Kraftwerk, what is interesting that they tried at all, probably simply to reach a larger audience commercially, German lyrics wouldn't go very far in the English speaking world. Even Nena translated 99 lufballons. English is much more compact, so there is quite a bit of filler words to match the music.
- dvirsky 7y agoPart of it might just be due to not being native to English. Even if you're fluent, translating lyrics is super hard. I've seen many examples of great songs written in my native language (Hebrew) that just sounded so shallow and lowbrow when translated to English to appeal to a wider market.