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Translating Hamilton in Japanese: analysis of translation methods used in singable translations
Dalarna University, School of Language, Literatures and Learning.
2024 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

Singable translation of music is widely debated within the field. For some, singable translation is something a translator should not do, as it might require modification to the rhythm and melody which take the translated piece too far from the original. On the other hand, such translation is advocated by empathizing the importance of audience hearing and understanding the song in their own language.

This paper examines and discusses the translation techniques used in a singable translation of the Broadway musical Hamilton, translated from English into Japanese. The musical has been officially translated for performing only in German, in contrast to another famous American musical, West Side Story, which by 2001 had been translated into 12 different languages, including Japanese (Gottlieb, 2001). However, according to Gen Parton-Shin, a Japanese-American actor working in the scene, the musical Hamilton is said to be impossible to translate into Japanese (2019). Through examining unofficial Japanese singable fan translations using Yoko Hasegawa and Peter Low’s established techniques and principles, this paper argues the statement to be false: the translators have found equivalent expressions to apply as their most often used translation technique, combined with frequent use of borrowed words and lines, it proves there are ways to convey the story in Japanese as well.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024.
Keywords [en]
Japanese translation, singable translation, lyric translation, Hamilton, translation techniques
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Specific Languages
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-47898OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-47898DiVA, id: diva2:1830154
Subject / course
Japanese
Available from: 2024-01-22 Created: 2024-01-22 Last updated: 2024-01-22Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

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Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • chicago-author-date
  • chicago-note-bibliography
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf