How much should I charge for a song translation? Thread poster: Denia Ferreira
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Hey guys,
I work in translation but normally I do subtitling and creation for dubbing for films and series. Today I was asked to translate children´s songs that are as short as 60s each. I have no idea what to charge since I normally charge by the minute. I understand that translating songs require another level of creativity amongst other skills, my husband is a musician so I know its not simple if I think of the meter characteristics of the song. Any ideas of how much to charge ... See more Hey guys,
I work in translation but normally I do subtitling and creation for dubbing for films and series. Today I was asked to translate children´s songs that are as short as 60s each. I have no idea what to charge since I normally charge by the minute. I understand that translating songs require another level of creativity amongst other skills, my husband is a musician so I know its not simple if I think of the meter characteristics of the song. Any ideas of how much to charge for this work (just the translation/adaptation) of the lyrics? ( and let them worry about musicality, etc.) ▲ Collapse
| | | | Adieu 
Ukrainian to English
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| Almost certainly | Sep 22, 2021 |
Much more than they are willing to pay.
Seems like something people usually do for fun, vanity, or as a favor.
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don't do it for a song…
[Edited at 2021-09-23 04:00 GMT]
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 07:36
French to English
First you need to find out what the client will do with your translation. I have often translated lyrics, with my translation being used for sub-titles in videos, so I didn't need to worry about the metrics. If the translation is to be used as lyrics to be sung, then that is a whole different story.
as for the actual fee, I would simply charge by the hour. If they'd rather have a flat rate, then I'd estimate how much time it would take, double it and round it up. I've found that th... See more First you need to find out what the client will do with your translation. I have often translated lyrics, with my translation being used for sub-titles in videos, so I didn't need to worry about the metrics. If the translation is to be used as lyrics to be sung, then that is a whole different story.
as for the actual fee, I would simply charge by the hour. If they'd rather have a flat rate, then I'd estimate how much time it would take, double it and round it up. I've found that the figure obtained using this method pretty well reflects what I'd end up charging if I were to charge by the hour for such a project.
(I wouldn't double it for a run-of-the-mill translation.) ▲ Collapse
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Denia Ferreira wrote:
Hey guys,
I work in translation but normally I do subtitling and creation for dubbing for films and series. Today I was asked to translate children´s songs that are as short as 60s each. I have no idea what to charge since I normally charge by the minute. I understand that translating songs require another level of creativity amongst other skills, my husband is a musician so I know its not simple if I think of the meter characteristics of the song. Any ideas of how much to charge for this work (just the translation/adaptation) of the lyrics? ( and let them worry about musicality, etc.)
That kind of translation jobs are among what makes it a beautiful profession.
As stated by colleagues you need to know what the translation will be used for:
A: simple translation so that people not knowing the language can read to understand what the song is about: cheap, same as per your usual rate.
B: the translation will be sung. This will take an enormous amount of time, you will need to adapt concepts to social perception in the target language. If the song rhymes, you will need to adapt the translation accordingly. And you will have to test against the recording/sheet to make sure of the musicality of lyrics. This requires to be artistically inclined. Such job is a challenge but also a pure gem. The quote needs to be large enough so you have time and comoensation to allow a good result.
Have fun!
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 07:36
French to English
Philippe Locquet wrote:
A: simple translation so that people not knowing the language can read to understand what the song is about: cheap, same as per your usual rate.
No, it shouldn't be cheap. Why should anyone do anything for a cheap rate when they've spent something like five years in further education to become a translator?
Same as your usual rate? Hmm, I think it rather depends on the song. Compare the challenges in translating the lyrics of "Hello Good-bye" and "Across the Universe" for example.
| | | | Sami Khamou
Local time: 01:36
Member (2002)
English to Arabic
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| ِMinimum charge | Sep 25, 2021 |
For very short songs you can apply a minimum charge.
| | | | | not minimum charge | Sep 26, 2021 |
Sami Khamou wrote:
For very short songs you can apply a minimum charge.
Depending how the translation will be used, that short song may take a long time to get perfected.
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Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 02:36
Portuguese to English
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Depends on how the client wants the song translated.
If it is just a simple translation of the content, I would charge my regular price per word. I have done many of these and would do this one as well, if the pair is PT>EN.
If the translation is to be done with adaptations or rhyme and metre, then I would refer it to a specialist, ideally someone who is also a songwriter and/or musician. (Maybe you are one yourself. which would be a plus).
One example is a colleague who transl... See more Depends on how the client wants the song translated.
If it is just a simple translation of the content, I would charge my regular price per word. I have done many of these and would do this one as well, if the pair is PT>EN.
If the translation is to be done with adaptations or rhyme and metre, then I would refer it to a specialist, ideally someone who is also a songwriter and/or musician. (Maybe you are one yourself. which would be a plus).
One example is a colleague who translated the Flamengo club anthem into English with adaptation, the result was very good indeed (see below). Not always a direct translation. The original translates as 'Flamengo until I die' and not 'Flamengo eternally'. This is the secret of song translation, adapting the words to rhythm or to make it sound better. (The subtitles do have some mistakes though). The bit about 'the King of Brazil' replaces 'seja na terra, seja no mar', a reference to Flamengo's rowing department. Most people abroad know Flamengo for their football skill, many would not even know about the rowing side of the club, so the change was very interesting, makes the song more meaningful to supporters throughout the world.
The anthem itself starts at 0:50.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weL5SO6i9xI
[Edited at 2021-09-26 22:55 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | TTilch
Local time: 07:36
English to German
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| charge the time it takes you to do the translation | Oct 1, 2021 |
It's as simple as that - charge your hourly rate for the time it requires you to do the translation, in particularly if it is transcreative work.
Best,
Tanja
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