Strategies in translating Vietnamese children’s songs into English and the singability of the translated versions = Phương pháp dịch các bài hát dành cho trẻ em trong tiếng Việt sang tiếng Anh và tính khả ca của bản dịch

Abstract

Songs are essential mass media products through which cultures are articulated and communicated to people of different linguistic and historical backgrounds. Consequently, as the world becomes more integrated, songs are being translated more and more to serve as carriers of cultures. However, song translation does not receive the attention it deserves, especially in Vietnam. No standard has been established to guide and assess song translations, hindering the translated songs from adequate public acclaim. This study, therefore, chooses to analyze the English-translated versions of ten Vietnamese children‟s songs from the “Bilingual Songs for Kids” project. The main objectives are to identify the strategies used in translation and evaluate the singability of the translated versions. The research is a qualitative investigation to produce a primary data source through two research questions. The data is collected and analyzed based on the “box of tricks” in translating songs and the singability aspect of the Pentathlon Principle suggested by Peter Low in his research series on song translations. The findings indicate that translation by dilution is utilized most by translators of the project, followed by structural repackaging and the use of synonyms/related terms. The remaining strategies are all employed with lower frequency. Regarding the singability of the translation, the English lyrics are relatively compatible with other modes of the original, especially in terms of maintaining the suitability between words and sound beats. Through this study, it is reassured that flexibility is the most critical factor in song translation, as the translators juggle between preserving meaning as well as singability. The research results hope to contribute more insights, though limited, on song translation and encourage more study into the field.