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Orestes Fasting

Translations

I know we have people on this board from a bunch of different countries who speak a bunch of different languages, and I'd be interested in your opinions on the various translations of Les Mis.

I only know three languages well enough to have a thorough grasp of the lyrics, and between the English, French, and German lyrics I have to say the French ones are the best. Either in original or the modified version for the revival. They fit the melodies much more naturally--because of course they're in the language the tunes were written for--and tend to be poetic without getting overblown. Whereas the English lyrics... they have their moments, both good and awful, but generally don't tend to be any better or worse than 'okay.' And the German lyrics don't ever seem to rise above serviceable, and occasionally descend into the ludicrous. (Whoever's responsible for the German ALFOR should be shot.)

I've also noticed that some songs tend to be easier to translate than others--every version of Fantine's death I've heard, for example, has been absolutely heartbreaking, but Red and Black can go amusingly awry very easily.

I'm quite interested in what people think of other translations--Swedish? Dutch? Spanish? Japanese? Hebrew? Czech? Anyone?
Mademoiselle Lanoire

Re: Translations

Orestes Fasting wrote:
I know we have people on this board from a bunch of different countries who speak a bunch of different languages, and I'd be interested in your opinions on the various translations of Les Mis.

I only know three languages well enough to have a thorough grasp of the lyrics, and between the English, French, and German lyrics I have to say the French ones are the best. Either in original or the modified version for the revival. They fit the melodies much more naturally--because of course they're in the language the tunes were written for--and tend to be poetic without getting overblown. Whereas the English lyrics... they have their moments, both good and awful, but generally don't tend to be any better or worse than 'okay.' And the German lyrics don't ever seem to rise above serviceable, and occasionally descend into the ludicrous. (Whoever's responsible for the German ALFOR should be shot.)

I've also noticed that some songs tend to be easier to translate than others--every version of Fantine's death I've heard, for example, has been absolutely heartbreaking, but Red and Black can go amusingly awry very easily.

I'm quite interested in what people think of other translations--Swedish? Dutch? Spanish? Japanese? Hebrew? Czech? Anyone?


The Spanish lyrics are mediocre, descending into bad at a couple points, especially DYHTPS. The Japanese lyrics (to the extent that I understand them) are fine, though nothing special.
Fantine

The mere fact that I feel like gagging myself with a spoon each time I listen to the Dutch cast album should prove a point.

I will devote my precious time on this subject later.
Quique

The original Spanish lyrics from the Madrid production in 1992-1994, are horrible. They are downright laughable.

The Spanish Argentine (2000) lyrics are good. They never get silly and flow beautifully, unlike the original Spanish ones.

The best Spanish translation by far is from the Mexican production (2002-2004). It is excellent. Some of them are better than the English lyrics.
Orestes Fasting

Fantine wrote:
The mere fact that I feel like gagging myself with a spoon each time I listen to the Dutch cast album should prove a point.

I will devote my precious time on this subject later.


Er, yeah, Dutch and German are similar enough that I catch phrases on the Dutch recordings pretty often and it doesn't sound terribly impressive. Ugh.

It's really a pity about the German lyrics; the German translation of Phantom is beautiful, possibly superior to the English version. I heard they tried to improve the German version of Les Mis between the Vienna and Duisburg productions, but it's really not that much better. They left all the monstrosities untouched--ALFOR, Empty Chairs, AHFOL--and just fiddled with some of the okay-but-not-great scenes.
eponine5

I can't really rate different translations that well, but there is one thing...
On one site, I found what it said were the German lyrics. I put some of them through an online translator (bad idea, I know).
This is what I got at the beginning of On My Own:

Und wieder bin ich ganz allein,
ein Botengang mit H�llenquallen.

And again I am entire alone
A messenger gear with hell jellyfishes.

Laughing Okay, the German lyrics are bad, but I doubt they are that bad! Please tell me if the lyrics are wrong, or if it's just the translator's fault (most likely)
And TVAW, is 'jellyfishes' even the plural of 'jellyfish'?
Orestes Fasting

That's what a misspelling will get you. "H�lle" does indeed mean "hell," but I think the second part of the word was supposed to be "qu�len," or torment/agony/something else painful and melodramatic. That's not Babelfish's fault, at least, but the awkwardness of phrasing is.
Fantine

I actually quite like the German OMO. It's the only song in German I've ever heard though. The French lyrics are awesome, especially those on the OFC.
La Carmagnole

There was also Polish translation (Les Miz was running in Poland from 1987 to 2000, but there was no recording Crying or Very sad ). For most of time its lyrics were acceptable, but I deeply hate some lines from DYHTPS. Polish version of "Will you give all you can give..." is something like:

Give your sons your wounds as a gift and let our sweat always keep this country alive.
Fantine

"Will you give all you can give..."
In Dutch it goes like this:

Look up, see how the banner goes forward with fame and shine
eponine5

Just out of interest, what is the translation of the Dutch chorus of Lovely Ladies? On the CD they sound very.... enthusiastic.
Matthew

does anyone have links to the foreign lyrics...i'm very interested.
Orestes Fasting

German lyrics: http://www.theatre-musical.com/lesmis/glibretto.html
French concept album, with translations: http://mmebahorel.cafemusain.com/translations/ofc.html
French revival lyrics: http://www.frmusique.ru/texts/m/miserables/index.htm
Fantine

eponine5 wrote:
Just out of interest, what is the translation of the Dutch chorus of Lovely Ladies? On the CD they sound very.... enthusiastic.


Ooh I get luuuve giving translations, lol Wink

Annnywaaay...

WOMEN:
Hot girls, does anyone bite? (>>this is a Dutch expression, something like: barking dogs don't bite or something like that. If that's English. Damn. Forget it Wink)
Small boys, large boys, [we]always catch them
Hot girls, loved everywhere
[We]Do it standing, lying down, yes whatever you may want
Straight up in the alley, reduced price

Something like that, at least.

futureMUNGOJERRIE wrote:
does anyone have links to the foreign lyrics...i'm very interested.


Dutch: http://es.geocities.com/agategs/soundtracks/lesmis-nl.htm
Matthew

thank you both very much
Pshhness

Does anyone else find that the foreign language translations sounds better than the translation of your own language? I guess it's because if it's in a language you don't understand, you don't really have to worry about what they actually mean, and can just focus on other aspects of the audio. For example, when I listen to the cast recordings of the Danish production, I don't worry about the quality of the translation, instead I focus on the performers and orchestration. On the other hand, on the Chinese forum I visit, there have been several attempts at translating a 'singable' version of Les Miz. And whenever I do sing along with a translation, it sounds icky, because the translation couldn't capture the original spirit.
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