Hamlet performed in native language of Tibet

By Target Language Translation Services | Updated: 2021-8-06 15:00

Mingled with some Tibetan traditional tunes and dancing steps, a new production of the Shakespearean classic Hamlet was staged by young Tibetans in both Mandarin and Tibetan languages in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

The most famous soliloquy from Hamlet was uttered in the Tibetan language — "To be or not to be, that is the question" — creating a fresh atmosphere for the Tibetan audience to watch the drama in their own language for the first time.

This new production of Hamlet was directed by Pu Cunxin, chairman of the Chinese Dramatists Association, and it was performed by 22 Tibetan college graduates.

As the first Tibetan graduates to receive bachelor's degrees from the performance department of the theater, the 22 had also just graduated in the Tibetan class of the performance department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy over the summer.

"This masterpiece handed down for 400 years exudes a new aura of ethnic flavor as interpreted by young Tibetan actors and an infusion of Tibetan cultural elements," Pu said, adding that the production was a gift to Tibet.

"It's also a challenge for the Tibetan students to perform the drama in their own language. We hope it will be a good integration between Tibetan and Shakespearean cultures," Pu said. "Bringing a bit of Tibetan cultural elements into the drama does not change what is true in the drama; instead, it adds more fun for the audience."

Wang Yang, an associate professor in the academy's performance department, said Tibet is a unique magical land in his mind.

"By blending Shakespeare with Tibetan culture today, we have watched a great multicultural and brilliant performance on this stage," Wang said.

Tenzin Samphel, a Tibetan student who plays Rosencrantz in the drama, said he was proud to be part of the famous drama utilizing his own ethnic language in front of his relatives and friends.

Just as is the case with many sectors, the culture industry is becoming increasingly globalised in the modern age.

More and more works like dramas, films and TV series are being submitted for translation, and as the modern consumer expects work to be released in their native language almost simultaneously to its original language release, the pressure for translators to work quickly is building. However, the job of the translators is not only to translate the content but also to ensure that the native audience can enjoy. Localization therefore plays a vital role in the process.

In order to successfully translate and localize the shows from different countries, it is imperative that the translator first understands the cultural perception of the target audience. Objects and ideas hold a variety of symbolic meanings in different nations, so it’s vital that the connotations of colours, foods and animals, amongst many other things, are taken into account before undertaking a literal translation.

Just like the new production of Hamlet for the Tibetan audience, which displays a great example of localization, it is undeniable that localization is essential to translation projects for the culture industries, amongst dramas, films, TV series and many others. Understanding the cultural climate of target audience and reaching out to them effectively in ways with which they will feel comfortable is arguably just as important as translating the language itself. In a world driven by consumerism, meeting the needs and desires of the consumer is key; the modern market requires not only the translation of a product, but a translation that the viewer is able to enjoy.

This article is reprinted from China Daily and Translate Media.

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