
I INTERNATIONAL COURSE
ON SINGABLE TRANSLATION
FOR MUSICALS
June 2025
Online live
Songs are increasingly present in products derived from productions in both the audiovisual market and the performing arts. As such, the need for translating and adapting song lyrics into different languages has become more common. This course is designed for translation students and professionals who want to be well-prepared to tackle the unique challenges that come with song adaptation.
The ability to adapt songs effectively is a valuable skill that extends beyond musical translation and can be applied to other types of assignments, such as literary or advertising translations.
In this course, we will explore the key aspects of producing high-quality adaptations. Through the analysis of real-world examples, we will focus on strategies that song adaptors use to ensure success. A good adaptation not only conveys the original song's message but also respects the essential elements like rhymes and rhythm. The goal is to make the audience feel as if the song was originally composed in the target language.
Participants will have the opportunity to translate songs from English into one of the following target languages: German, French, Spanish, or Catalan. The course begins with an introduction to song adaptation strategies, followed by group work based on participants’ chosen target language.
The course will be taught by an international team of experts from Germany, Finland, and Spain, bringing together some of the leading academics and professionals in the field.
PART I (COMMON FOR ALL LANGUAGES)
Johan Franzon, song translation investigator (view his resume here).
Nicholas Saunders, song translation trainer (view his resume here).
Schedule:
June 2 and 4, 18:00-20:00
June 8, 18:00-20:00
PART II - GERMAN
Kevin Schroeder, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Sabine Ruflair, song adaptor (view her resume here).
Schedule:
June 10, 11, 14 and 18, 17:00-19:00
PART II - FRENCH
Iñaki Torre, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Schedule:
July
PART II - SPANISH
María Ovelar, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Ángel Fernández Sebastián, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Marcelo Kotliar, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Schedule:
July
PART II - CATALAN
Marc Gómez Domènech, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Albert Mas-Griera, song adaptor (view his resume here).
Schedule:
July
CONTENTS
1 - THEORETICAL NOTIONS
Parametres: form and content. Strategies for song adaptation.
Presentation formats.
2 - ANALYSIS OF REAL EXAMPLES
Comparison of the original and adapted versions of songs from different productions.
Analysis of the adaptation strategies used.
3 - KEYS TO ADAPTING A SONG
Key elements for adapting a song: story, characters, context.
4 - THE ADAPTATION PROCESS
Stages in the adaptation process of a lyric.
5 - REVIEW OF ASSIGNED TASKS
Analysis of tasks focusing on both content and form.
Schedule: July
REGISTRATION
Write to doblaje@saunders.es to inquire about available discounts.
A certificate of completion will be awarded at the end of the course. Participants must attend 70% of the live sessions and submit at least two mandatory assignments to receive the certificate. All sessions will be recorded and available for later review for one week.