Disney songs in other languages?

[afroakuma]

I've been working on my Italian and Spanish using translated media (such as a copy of Harry Potter e la camera dei segreti to practice my Italian reading skills) and recently discovered that Disney apparently puts a lot of effort into local translations. Useful, because it's familiar source material that I grew up with.

Now, some of these films, especially as regards Spanish, have multiple versions for different regions, and some songs simply translate better than others. For example, Voy a hacer todo un hombre de ti rhymes clearly, takes liberties with the original lyrics while maintaining the spirit, and has a nice broad vocabulary selection, whereas Farò di te un uomo frequently doesn't rhyme and diverges a lot further from the source. On the other hand, Hombres fuertes de acciòn is another Spanish translation, but one that frequently lacks a rhyming scheme in its efforts to stick close to the original lyrics.

Are there any strong Italian or Spanish speakers who can recommend particularly good translations of Disney songs?

[bluewind95]

The music for the Lion King was very, very nice in Spanish.

[afroakuma]

The music for the Lion King was very, very nice in Spanish.

Latin American or Spain Spanish?

[bluewind95]

I guess Latin America. I saw that movie in Mexico.

[Thormag]

I can try to dig out my old collection of Disney movies, though you may want to try YouTube, I found most of the songs (in the Latin American version) there.

EDIT:Here's a Lion King one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlJDg3_n4no), if you want I can try to write the lyrics later. It's pretty late here already.

[MisterSaturnine]

The French version of Hellfire is awesome, changing certain lyrics (which I think are even better in French) in order to keep a rhyme scheme.

[Radical Raven]

The German version of "My Lullaby kept all of the evil and none of the camp. It was pretty awesome.

[bluewind95]

Oh! I remembered that the Little Mermaid was also very good in Spanish(again, Latin American version).

Yeah, they go and change lyrics a little bit so that they keep the rhyming scheme. They did that with the Lion King too.

[Drascin]

Latin American or Spain Spanish?

I have to say, Spain Spanish Scar nailed the voice. Loses the tempo a couple of times in Be Prepared, but otherwise simply wonderful.

[Mauve Shirt]

I found the German version of Once Upon A Dream (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr0w_OJxXDg) yesterday. It made me happy. Philip's voice in the French version sounds a little too young.

[afroakuma]

That's what I've been finding; often the better translation has a weaker singer, as was the case with that Lion King song.

And some songs just don't work ever. If someone can find me a decent version of Poor Unfortunate Souls I'd love to see it done. Both Spanish versions were horribly weak.

I find, though, that I Won't Say I'm In Love seems to be covered very well by singers in almost every language.

[Spiryt]

Poor Unfortunate Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GQTx7kvQBw)

I don't anymore feel licensed to tell if it's good, but sounds pretty on par with original. :smallwink:

[afroakuma]

Infernale was admittedly awesome. Shame it lacks the Frollo voice.

[afroakuma]

Well, I've had some good picks so far. Anything else to recommend?

[Killer Angel]

Well, I've had some good picks so far. Anything else to recommend?

I recommend Little Mermaid in italian.
There were hard selections, cause Disney wants an high standard for dubbers. I've heard in an interview of Disney's selectors (assuming they said the truth) that the italian one, was even better than the original...

Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoEQ_FNfsjg).
And also, Poor unfortunate souls (ita) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5YBLAghHUs&feature=related)

Also, here's Alladin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2xsbrIqnX0&feature=related)
The genie's dubber was Proietti (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMrvjlO5EJM&feature=related).

Are you interested mnore in the interpretation, in the simple text translation, or both?

[afroakuma]

I recommend Little Mermaid in italian.
There were hard selections, cause Disney wants an high standard for dubbers. I've heard in an interview of Disney's selectors (assuming they said the truth) that the italian one, was even better than the original...

In terms of literal translation, Italian often gets closest, but I find they have the weakest songs, oddly and annoyingly. :smallannoyed:

Are you interested mnore in the interpretation, in the simple text translation, or both?

What I'm looking for, specifically:

• Should maintain a consistent effort to have a rhyme scheme, regardless of whether it matches that one from the original. Artistic license is welcome.

• Should maintain a consistent effort to constrain itself to the rhythm and beat of the original. In other words, if there are limited syllables, find some way to shorten your sentence, rather than say the entire thing really fast.

• Should stick to the original in spirit, not in literal meaning.

• In other words, I'm looking for an interpretation of the original song that stands as a song in its own right.

Ursula's song (Poor Unfortunate Souls) is actually one of the most consistent failures by these criteria; it's always stuffed with extra syllables, seems to go out of its way to confine itself to a literal translation, and requires a particular expression that, so far as I've seen, isn't translating well.

By contrast, My Lullaby seems to be consistently superior in interpretation. The German version mentioned above, Hört mein Wiegenlied, changes the meaning of many parts, but in terms of vocabulary selection, interpretation and presentation is just epic.

Similarly, Bajo el mar manages to take one of the most challenging Disney songs to translate (in my opinion) and bring it into Spanish in a marvelous fashion.

That's the reason I'm asking for specific songs - I'm having trouble finding Italian translations that fit the bill, whereas Spanish usually has two translations that I can choose between.

[Killer Angel]

In terms of literal translation, Italian often gets closest, but I find they have the weakest songs, oddly and annoyingly. :smallannoyed:


from a pow of the simple emotive impact of Ariel's voice, I like the italian one more than the english... but probably it's me. :smallsmile:

What I'm looking for, specifically:

(snip)

• In other words, I'm looking for an interpretation of the original song that stands as a song in its own right.



Tough requests... if i'll find something that matches your points, I'll give you some link.
Sadly, I don't know so many original version...

[MissK]

The Spanish-dubbed Toy Story films are the best translated films I have ever seen - including the songs. I love Navegare Nunca Mas and Yo Soy Tu Amigo Fiel. Plus, the guy who does the Buzz Lightyear voice is great. Why do they never list the dub voice actors in credits? Why do they get no love?

[Killer Angel]

What I'm looking for, specifically:

• Should maintain a consistent effort to have a rhyme scheme, regardless of whether it matches that one from the original. Artistic license is welcome.

• Should maintain a consistent effort to constrain itself to the rhythm and beat of the original. In other words, if there are limited syllables, find some way to shorten your sentence, rather than say the entire thing really fast.

• Should stick to the original in spirit, not in literal meaning.

• In other words, I'm looking for an interpretation of the original song that stands as a song in its own right.



All points checked! (I really hope)

After all, not all Disney's films are cartoon... :smallsmile:

The original version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4)

The italian version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00zWidNaLhc&feature=related)... on the right side, under "ulteriori informazioni", there's also the italian text.

Hope this is good for you!

[SolkaTruesilver]

French translations have always ringed perfectly in my childhood...

The french version of The World's Greatest Criminal Mind Le Genie du Mal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv28m66Mi2M) is both more fearsome in term of lyrics in French ("Even your brother Lucifer don't know the evil you can inflict upon us"), and I think the singer's voice is deeper, more... sinister...

[afroakuma]

So far, I've found that French absolutely rules the roost, beating out all other versions (including English) with Le bossu de Notre Dame. Every translated song has accuracy and better lyrics and skill than even the originals.

Shame they couldn't get Tony Jay for the translations. Regardless of language spoken, there can only ever be one Frollo.

[Innis Cabal]

If this dosn't at least give you goosebumps you lack a soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKOJ5bEKPLY&feature=PlayList&p=6C629BE5DE3D4084&index=0)

This to (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGwa1fPwl_Y&feature=PlayList&p=6C629BE5DE3D4084&index=3)

[afroakuma]

That's cheating though, Innis. Sending a Riefenstahl-inspired sequence back to the native language of its inspiration with a good singer backing it is pretty much trickery on the order of sending a Disney film based in France back to the French tongue.

Like Hunchback... :smallcool: Wow, that's some damn awesome.

[SolkaTruesilver]

That's cheating though, Innis. Sending a Riefenstahl-inspired sequence back to the native language of its inspiration with a good singer backing it is pretty much trickery on the order of sending a Disney film based in France back to the French tongue.

Like Hunchback... :smallcool: Wow, that's some damn awesome.

On the other hand, Ratigan's song in French don't have those advantage...

And he still wins, IMHO.

[bosssmiley]

Behold, the single greatest cultural achievement of the French nation!

Gaston in French (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaCQiRT4Pdk)

"Je suis vraiment treduie(?) a l'expectoration!"

[afroakuma]

Très doué. Very gifted.

And yes, it was amazing. :smallbiggrin:

[Collin152]

I enjoy the Japanese versions of many disney songs, especially Be Prepared, Poor Unfortunate Souls, and Just Around the Riverbend.