Translating Plays: 5 tips for theater scripts translation

Translating plays is a sensitive job. It’s a union of two types of arts, the theater* itself and the polished artwork of choosing words to translate the metaphors, expressions, and drama the plays convey. 

We know it’s never easy to translate art. Literature, cinema, poetry, novels, theater… Each language has its own challenges.

In theater, we might say the icing on the cake is the performance. It’s an art of “the here and now”. The play travels to meet the public directly. 

You must imagine Localization is an important tool in this job. Cultural aspects are primordial and not a side detail. 

All the cultural references you must keep in mind to engage your audience will gain relevance when spoken out loud by a person. In the heat of the moment. 

But… It's such amazing work when well done! Look at Shakespeare and Beckett plays, they have been staged for years and still make sense in different countries and cultures.

Theater or Theatre?

‍It’s a common doubt in translation. Theatre is used in Britain and in most English-speaking countries other than the United States. In American English, the spelling is theater.

Excited to start translating plays? Let’s check out 5 tips for translating theater scripts.

#1 Watch plays to widen your repertoire

The first tip is the most basic one. Being an audience to theater plays will expand your repertoire and sensibility to perceive what is important in a play. 

If the play you will translate has been staged, watch different performances of the play to see how various directors and actors interpret the text. 

This can give you insights into the flexibility and core essence of the script.

It’s important to know the classic authors: Shakespeare (Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream); the Brazilian playwright Nelson Rodrigues (The Kiss on the Asphalt, Bride’s Dress, Life as it is; the french Molière (The School for Wives, Tartuffe, The Misanthrope.  

As well, it is smart to include contemporary artists in your repertoire and attend the local theater where you live.

#2 Understand the Spatial-temporal Original Context

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a Shakespeare play written in the 16th century. Understanding the author's intent, the characters' motivations, and the underlying themes requires placing the piece in its spatial-temporal context.

It’s a work of reading and research and will help you with the following steps.

#3 Maintain the Play’s Tone and Style‍

As a piece of art, theater scripts often have a particular rhythm or cadence, especially in verse plays. Capture the Rhythm. Try to maintain this rhythm in the translated version to keep the dramatic impact intact.

Connect with the previously mentioned point, the context defines the language style. Pay close attention to this, whether it's formal, colloquial, poetic, or archaic. Maintain the tone in the translation to preserve the play's original feel.

Having a management system could help to make translation choices align with the project as a whole.

#4 Localize with care‍

Here we are talking about adapting cultural references thoughtfully. Some cultural references or idioms may not translate directly, and need adaptation. 

Keep the original reference with an explanation, adapt it to a similar concept in the target culture, or find a balance between them? This is a choice of Localization.

Aim to retain the original’s essence while making it comprehensible to the new audience. But be cautious not to over-localize! How so?

Over-localizing is stripping the play of its original cultural identity. It could be a misappropriation and may generate unpleasant reviews. 

E.g. Hamlet is a familiar Shakespearean tragedy and the adaptation has to bring the feelings of anger, betrayal, and revenge the author intends to.

#5 Collaborate with Directors and Actors ‍

Working with theatrical professionals is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights into how the translated script will be performed. 

They have the perspective of those who are on the stage and can offer practical feedback on dialogue delivery and character development.

Translating plays involves following a process and making adjustments. It’s not like other projects that you just deliver the final document and the job is done.

So, if possible, attend rehearsals to see how the translation works in practice. This can help you make adjustments to ensure that the dialogue flows naturally and fits the performance context.

Translating plays can be very pleasurable work. By following these tips, you can create a project that honors the original play while engaging and enchanting for a new audience.

Besides, it’s a valuable way to spread the culture from one country to another, from one time to another. It’s almost a time machine experience through art. And it’ll be an honor to be a part of that with your translation service. ‍