A study of pop-song translations (By Spanish students, from Spanish into English)

This article discusses the use of pop songs in translations by Spanish stud ents. The students had to translate songs from Spanish into English. Certai n characteristics typical of poetry translated well, but the translated lyr ics did not match the original tune. The study indicates that pop songs can be used in translation classes, and that pop songs may be a preparation fo r translation of poetry proper and opera. In their translation students foc used on lexis. Accordingly, the majority of mistakes were grammatical. Most errors involved students' individual interlanguage, which indicates that t ranslation teachers need to emphasize grammar in translation into non-mothe r tongue languages.