Research on the Name and Nature of Song Translation

摘要

Until quite recently, song translation has not been paid enough attention in translation field, not only because of its vague discipline which both involves translation studies and musicology, but also the obscure name and nature of song translation. This article attempts to distinguish the different types of song translation and to define the types with standard terms by revealing the nature of song translation (as poetry translation and as singable translation) with pentathlon principle ie. sing-ability, sense, naturalness, rhythm, rhyme proposed by Peter Low. Through investigation and a case study, this article concludes by suggesting a singable translation should be defined "song transdubbing" and future studies should cover this type not only by descriptive but also systemic approach.