Translating for Singing discusses the theory, art and craft of translating singable lyrics, focusing mainly on translations designed to be sung

Translating for Singing discusses the art and craft of translating singable lyrics, a topic of interest in a wide range of fields, including translation, music, creative writing, cultural studies, performance studies, and semiotics. Previously, such translation has most often been discussed by music critics, many of whom had neither training nor experience in this area. Written by two internationally-known translators, the book focusses mainly on practical techniques for creating translations meant to be sung to pre-existing music, with suggested solutions to such linguistic problems as those associated with rhythm, syllable count, vocal burden, rhyme, repetition and sound. Translation theory and translations of lyrics for other purposes, such as surtitles, are also covered. The book can serve as a primary text in courses on translating lyrics and as a reference and supplementary text for other courses and for professionals in the fields mentioned. Beyond academia, the book is of interest to professional translators and to librettists, singers, conductors, stage directors, and audience members.

"For those who love opera and the broader genre of lyric theater, and perhaps most particularly for those of us who are engaged in making it, selling it, teaching it, and striving to find and develop our own successors on stage and in the audience, Translating for Singing offers an important contribution to the discussion. My own modest proposal for its dissemination would be to find a way to place a copy on the desk of every opera house management, on the office chair of every Conservatory dean, opera director, and voice teacher in the UK and USA, and of course in the hands of anyone who is brave enough to engage in the traitorous act of opera translation." - The Mercurian

"This book is an invaluable guide to anyone who wishes to translate opera or musicals for performances." - JoSTrans: The Journal of Specialised Translation

"No one else could have written this book - certainly not with [Ronnie Apter and Mark Herman's] depth and range of knowledge and practical experience ... [Their] admirable and ambitious aims are carried through with erudition, wit and humour ... This book is a towering achievement, setting out the theory, practice and pitfalls of the art and craft of singing translation in comprehensive detail ... Essential reading for anyone actively involved -- or merely interested - in the process of creating singable opera translations." - Perspectives

"A welcome contribution, especially as the book is handsomely designed, [that] contains a wealth of music examples in neat notation, with original lyrics in Italian, German, French, Czech and Russian, all glossed into English and compared with numerous authentic translation examples (by Apter and Herman and others), and is filled with good advice for anyone interested in the practical business of translating texts to be sung." - The Translator

"The authors' passion for their craft shines through every line of this book, and their authority is confirmed by the sheer number of commissions they've received from opera companies and the resultant published libretti, as well as the copious examples of their work provided in the book itself. They have undoubtedly provided prospective translators and students of translation with perhaps the definitive discussion of the subject, one that should endure as both a record of past practice and a guide for the future." - Translation Review

"[An] excellent textbook ... [This] volume — with its careful and quirky examination of singability, foreignization versus domestication, issues of difference and characterization, the finer points of prosody — could serve as an aid to any translator of lyrics and poetry, no matter the genre. Brimming with personality and fabulous examples, Translating For Singing is a must-have for the serious translator." - The Monitor

"A thorough and expert guide ... This is a book written with wit, expertise and enthusiasm, full of illuminating examples; a satisfying and informative read." - In Other Words

"Reading this book will provide a great deal of pleasure in that it is well written, well referenced, rich in examples, and full of humor … Translating for Singing is a fine work for anyone interested in the translation of song (translators, students mastering in translation, teachers, researchers...), but it also can be of interest to everyone who studies the translation of poetry or drama…" - Meta (Bloomsbury translation)

"[Offers] practical advice about all aspects of translation." - Opera

"This work has enormous merit … and a rich catalogue of examples and advice that will be music to the ears." - Journal of Translation Studies (Bloomsbury translation)

"For anyone who aspires to translate song, or poetry for that matter, this comprehensively researched guide will be a valuable addition to your book collection." - In Touch