Sweeney Todd Language Analysis

In the Table 2.5, it would seem that it is translated precisely, yet there are some words changed, thus the idea becomes different than it should be. Using an idiom with the similar meaning but different form should sound very natural in the target language. In Sweeney Todd, the translators managed to achieve a different rendition of the musical piece by using Lithuanian idioms and sayings. In the first example of the table, Lithuanian common saying feels more natural than it would be rendered word-by-word. Thus, in the second example, the last line is paraphrased but the meaning has still not changed. In addition, the rhymes, which are not necessary in voice-over, make the translation more alive and sound as it is a song. Although adding very Lithuanian word into a culture-specific film, can have consequences of different perspective of viewers.
Here the similar meaning is transferred by finding different …show more content…
Yet the Phantom is translated with more of imagination and interpretation because of the rock-opera style. Additionally, the main character is furious in this scene, therefore translators needed to show the jealousy. The best way to do so is to domesticate the phrases and find similar meaning but with different connotations. According to Dabartinės lietuvių kalbos žodynas, the word “brave” in Lithuanian means the one who is not afraid. “Drąsus” does not show the negativity of the word. However, the word “akiplėša”, which shows more envy and greediness, has the meaning of being bold. Thus, in the examples, domestication is used in both lyrics. In the first example, the word “Rome” is omitted. It might be because major part of Lithuanian audience does not know the history of the Roman Empire, hence there was no need to translate it. This way the narrator does not have to explain what is meant by “Rome” and there is left more time to hear the singing