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Article published In: Target
Vol. 33:1 (2021) ► pp.132–156

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In and out of tune

The effects of musical (in)congruence on translation

ORCiD logo with link | Universidad de Murcia
ORCiD logo with link | Universidad de Murcia
Published online: 9 November 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.19076.nar
Abstract
This study explores the potential effects of musical congruence and incongruence on translation quality and creativity. An experiment was carried out in which participants translated excerpts from happy and sad narratives while they listened to source-text congruent and incongruent soundtracks. Statistical analyses were performed to compare translation performance under three different sound conditions: musical congruence, musical incongruence, and silence. The results reveal a positive influence of congruent musical stimuli on translation creativity. Correlations are also found between levels of empathy and creativity, suggesting that an increase in translation creativity under the effects of music could be mediated by reported high levels of empathy under the musical congruence condition.
Article outline
  • 1.Can translation sound better with music?
  • 2.Cognitive effects of musical congruence
  • 3.Aims and hypotheses
  • 4.Method
    • 4.1Participants
    • 4.2Materials
      • 4.2.1STs
      • 4.2.2Soundtracks
      • 4.2.3Self-reported questionnaire
    • 4.3Experimental design and procedure
    • 4.4Analysis
  • 5.Results
    • 5.1Effects of silence, congruent music, and incongruent music on translation performance
    • 5.2Self-reported measures
      • 5.2.1Accurate perception of congruence/incongruence
      • 5.2.2Perceived impact of music
      • 5.2.3General assessment of the experience
  • 6.General discussion and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
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