Presentation Schedule
Cantonese Opera Libretti Translation into English: Reception of Lyrical Resonances (98442)
Session Chair: Xavier Lin
Wednesday, 5 November 2025 14:35
Session: Session 2
Room: Room A (4F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
Cantonese opera libretti are deeply intertwined with classical poetry, exhibiting refined language, rhetorical sophistication, and aesthetic depth. However, translating these lyrics into English presents significant challenges due to cultural and linguistic differences in order to achieve a certain kind of resonance.
Translators must navigate three possible approaches: (a) rendering only the basic meaning, (b) preserving poetic structure and literary nuances, or (c) ensuring singability and performability in alignment with musical and theatrical demands. It is even harder to translate performance surtitles as they introduce further complexities, which must adhere to strict constraints on length, readability, and musical synchronization. The untranslatability of these surtitles is heightened compared to operatic scripts meant for reading or research.
Attempts to revive Cantonese opera in English have encountered difficulties, particularly in maintaining the metrical integrity and condensed content of the original Chinese lyrics. Limited lexical equivalence and inadequate translation quality have often weakened the audience’s reception. While libretti maintain poetic segmentation, providing greater accessibility and receptibility for readers, surtitles remain a greater challenge in fully capturing the artistic essence of Cantonese opera. In such regard, to adopt the Reception Theory to scrutinize the aspects of cultural, rhetorical and aesthetics of several translated versions of the celebrated classic operatic play The Flower Princess will be feasible in this research. This study also explores the feasibility of translating or adapting poetic and musical dimensions across linguistic boundaries.
Authors:
Kelly Kar Yue Chan, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Kar Yue Chan is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Hong Kong Metropolitan University in Hong Kong
See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule
Conference Comments & Feedback
Place a comment using your LinkedIn profileShare this Presentation
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress