The article analyses the process of translating songs from English into Russian on the basis of the songs from the famous musical “Les Misérables”. Based on the results of the analysis, some recommendations for translators are made in the end of the article.
Keywords: translation, transformations.
На материале перевода песен из мюзикла «Отверженные» рассматривается процесс перевода песен с английского на русский язык и используемые при этом переводческие трансформации. По результатам анализа выведены некоторые рекомендации для переводчиков.
Ключевые слова: перевод, переводческие трансформации.
Analysis of the translation of the song «Do you hear the people sing?" (translated by A. Ivanov)
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Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men? It is the music of the people Who will not be slaves again! |
Слышишь, как поёт народ Песню разгневанных людей? Бесстрашен, кто её поёт, Ведь он рабом не будет впредь. |
The rhyme scheme has been preserved in the translation. There are no differences in the rhythmic pattern between the original and the the translated texts.
Lexical transformations: the third and fourth lines are translated using semantic development (people who stand up against injustice show true fearlessness).
Grammatical transformations: the first two lines of the original are combined into one sentence in the translated text. There is a replacement of the part of speech in the third and fourth lines (the noun people is replaced by the pronouns who and he ). There are also some omissions present in the translation. The pronoun you is omitted in the first line, the participle singing is omitted in the second line. Stylistic transformations: the use of the words разгневанных (in the original — angry) and впредь (in the original — again) can be mentioned. The equivalents selected by the translator belong to literary style, whereas in the original text neutral style is used.
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When the beating of your heart Echoes the beating of the drums There is a life about to start When tomorrow comes! |
Бьются в унисон сердца, Им вторит барабанный бой, – Это сигнал идти до конца Для нас с тобой! |
The rhyme scheme has been preserved in the translation. The fourth line of the translated text differs from the rhythmic pattern of the original. Lexical transformations include the translation of the third and fourth line using a holistic transformation. The translation slightly deviates from the original in terms of semantic content. Grammatical transformations include replacing a complex sentence in the original text with a compound sentence with two independent clauses in the translation. There is a replacement of parts of speech present (the noun beating is replaced by the verb бьются , the noun drums is replaced by the adjective барабанный ). There are some omissions and additions present in the translation.
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Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricade Is there a world you long to see? Then join in the fight That will give you the right to be free! |
Смело выйдем мы вперёд За правду биться, я и ты. Снаружи баррикад Не воплотить святой мечты. Лишь праведный бой Права нам с тобой Может дать! |
The rhyme scheme is not fully preserved (in the original text, the seventh line rhymes with the second and fourth lines). The sixth line deviates from the rhythmic pattern of the original song. Lexical transformations: the first, second and fourth lines are translated using semantic development and holistic transformation (those who joined the protests at the barricades fought in the name of truth; the new world that will be the result of their struggle is the dream of the rebels).Grammatical transformations involve combining the first and second lines into one sentence. Interrogative and imperative sentences are replaced by declarative and exclamatory sentences.
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Will you give all you can give So that our banner may advance? Some will fall and some will live Will you stand up and take your chance? The blood of the martyrs Will water the meadows of France! |
Всё, что нужно, отдадим, Чтоб знамя гордое поднять! Мы свободой дорожим, Жизнь за неё легко отдать! Мы кровью своею Готовы луга орошать! |
The rhyme scheme and rhythmic pattern of the original song are fully preserved in the translation. Lexical transformations: The third and the fourth lines are translated using a holistic transformation (the original text states that change is impossible without sacrifice; the translation emphasizes the willingness of revolutionaries to give their lives for their goal).Grammatical transformations involve replacing two interrogative sentences in the original text with exclamatory sentences in the translation. There is a replacement of the parts of the sentence present (in the original text, the words banner and blood are subjects of the corresponding sentences, whereas in the translated text the words знамя and кровью are objects). The pronoun мы is added, the noun martyrs is omitted. In the second line the adjective гордое is added, in the sixth line the indication of the place of action ( France ) is omitted.
The total number of transformations used in translating the song — 28
Lexical transformations — 5 (semantic development — 2, holistic transformation — 3)
Grammatical transformations — 21 (combining sentences — 2, replacement of the part of speech — 4, replacement of the type of sentence — 5, replacement of the part of sentence — 2, omission — 5, addition -3)
Stylistic transformations — 2
Based on the results of the analysis, the following recommendations can be made for translators of songs:
1) When translating songs, the translator should first of all be guided by the formal characteristics of the original text while searching for the equivalents
2) When translating songs, slight semantic differences from the original text are acceptable
3) When using a holistic transformation, it is important to ensure that the resulting translation does not contradict the rest of the lyrics
References:
- Бархударов, Л. С. Язык и перевод/ Л. С. Бархударов. — М.: Международные отношения, 1975. — 239 с.;
- Комиссаров В. Н. Современное переводоведение. — М.: ЭТС, 2002. — 424 с.
- Комиссаров, В. Н. Теория перевода/ В. Н. Комиссаров. — М.: Высшая школа, 1990. — 253 с.
- ЛатышевЛ. К. Перевод:проблемы теории, практики и методики преподавания: Книга для учителя школ с углубленным изучением немецкого языка. М.: Просвещение, 1988.
- РецкерЯ. И. Теория перевода и переводческая практика.М.:Международные отношения,1974.
- ЩетинкинВ. Е. Пособие по переводу с французского языка на русский.М.:Просвещение, 1987.
- Иванов, Андрей Отверженные Les Miserables стихотворный перевод / Андрей Иванов. — Текст: электронный // Stihi.ru: [сайт]. — URL: (дата обращения: 19.08.2022).
- Les Miserables lyrics | Song lyrics for musical. — Текст: электронный // Allmusicals.com: [сайт]. — URL: https://www.allmusicals.com/l/lesmiserables.htm (дата обращения: 19.08.2022).
