Leksema: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026)

Translation Method and Quality of Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” Song Lyrics

Aryl Timothy Madilah (Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana)
Deta Maria Sri Darta (Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Jun 2026

Abstract

Translating song lyrics which are intended to be sung is challenging, and translators need to strive for a rendering that can achieve this goal. This study examined the method and the quality of the Indonesian translation of “We Don’t Talk about Bruno”, a popular song from Disney’s Encanto. It incorporated Newmark’s theory on translation methods and translation procedures in identifying the method used to render the song lyrics, and Low’s Pentathlon Principle in assessing the quality of the translation. The study was qualitative, where the song was analyzed line by line, first to determine the procedures, and second with the help of participants by means of interview to determine the quality. Thereafter the method and the overall quality were determined. The result showed the communicative method as the translation method, with preference for multi-procedures per line mainly of literal, modulation, and reduction procedures. The quality of the rendering was standard, with high preference towards Singability, Naturalness, and Rhythm. This exhibited how translators look for fitting the target text to its purpose of being singable, and reinforced the notion of compensating things such as the sense and rhyming pairs of the song in order to achieve the goal.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

leksema

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Leksema: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra (Leksema: Language and Literature Journal) is a double-blind peer-reviewed scholarly journal focusing on disseminating research results and conceptual works from language and literature fields of study by publishing them into scientific articles. The linguistic ...