The Farsi translation of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" presented here aims for a natural and relatable rendering of the song's emotional depth and specific imagery. Let's analyze the choices made by the translator:
Strengths of the Translation:
Accurate Conveying of Emotion: The translator effectively captures the hurt, betrayal, and lingering feelings of the song. Words like "تنهایی" (loneliness), "درد" (ache), "اعتیاد" (addiction – used metaphorically for sadness), "کوچک کنی" (stoop so low), and "میپیچوندی" (screwed me over – a colloquial but fitting choice) all reflect the raw emotion of the original lyrics.
Idiomatic Expressions: The translation avoids literal translations that would sound unnatural in Farsi. For example, "Like when you said you felt so happy you could die" is translated as "مثل وقتی که میگفتی ممکنه از فرط خوشحالی بمیری" which means "like when you said you might die from excessive happiness," a much more natural and idiomatic expression in Farsi.
Nuance and Detail: The translator pays attention to detail. The phrase "make out like it never happened" is cleverly rendered as "انگاری که هیچ وقت اتفاقی نیوفتاده," which translates to "as if nothing ever happened," preserving the sense of denial and erasure. The line about collecting records and changing the number is translated with a nice touch, emphasizing the deliberate cutting off of contact.
Consistency in Register: The translation maintains a consistent register, moving between slightly formal and informal language, mirroring the tone shifts in the original song.
Potential Areas for Discussion:
"Betterini" (بهترینی): While "مناسب ترین انتخاب برای من هستی" (the most suitable choice for me) provides more context, "بهترینی" (the best) might be a more direct and emotionally resonant translation of "right for me," depending on the desired emphasis. The original lyric is ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation.
"به درد هم نمیخوریم": This translates as "we don't suit each other" or "we're not good for each other." It's a slightly stronger statement than the more neutral "we could not make sense," but likely captures the implied meaning of incompatibility within the song.
"میپیچوندی" (screwed me over): This colloquialism is effective, but a slightly more formal alternative could have been chosen depending on the target audience.
Overall:
The translation is generally excellent. It successfully captures the essence of the original song's lyrics while remaining idiomatic and natural-sounding in Farsi. The translator demonstrates a keen understanding of both the English language and the nuances of Farsi, allowing for an accurate and emotionally resonant rendering of the song. The choices made reflect a deliberate attempt to convey not just the meaning, but the feeling and impact of the song's lyrics.
No other songs.