English-Chinese Translation Of Song Lyrics

Although English songs have been receiving popularity among the Chinese, research findings concerning translation of songs have hitherto been scarcely available. This paper attempts to provide an insight into the domain of English-Chinese song lyrics translation in the light of functionalist translation, stressing the impact of music on the application of translation strategies in the translation process. Whether the translated lyrics suit the music determines the quality of the translation.In response to the train of thought regarding the purpose of song lyrics translation, the paper bases its discussion on lyrics and translation, in particular, borrowing a strong support from the functional approaches to translation in German academia. Hence, there are three main parts in elaboration. First, the paper demonstrates the features of song lyrics, involving the status quo of research into foreign songs and music in China and the definition of song and song lyrics. In addition, it elucidates the relationship of song lyrics and poetry and that of song lyrics and music along with a comparison between English and Chinese song lyrics. Second, the paper gives more touches to the strategies of English-Chinese song lyrics translation. Taking functionalist translation as the theoretical basis, it introduces academic views of such advocates of functional approaches as Katharina Reiss, Hans. J. Vermeer, Justa Holz-Manttari, Christiane Nord and brings up the concepts like "Skopostheorie", "translation brief", "function plus loyalty", etc. This theory, together with the features of song lyrics, lends a forceful guidance to the principles, criteria and techniques of song lyrics translation. Third, the paper points out the noteworthy particulars in the translation process, where the translator should equip himself with certain responsibilities and abilities demanded by the challenging sphere of song lyrics translation.The paper comes to reach a conclusion as follows: translating song lyrics is a type of purposeful activity. The translated song lyrics should be best aimed at fitting for listening and singing. Unless such a purpose is achieved, the value of lyrics translation will not be fully realized. Hence, only by always embracing the intended communicative purpose and endeavoring to adaptlyrics to music appropriately can the translator succeed in accomplishing the function of his translation, thus reproducing an appealing work of art.