At least in Switzerland, we still often sing songs that have been translated (usually from English). – So I found myself wondering: why do we actually do that? Don’t we have enough songs – or enough good ones – in our own language? What are we trying to achieve with these translations?

I’ve been thinking about this question for quite some time now. But before we can really weigh up the pros and cons, let’s take a look at the reasons why songs are translated in the first place:

Reasons why we translate songs

One good reason why we translate worship songs into other languages, I learnt at Hillsong Konstanz, where I was also part of the song translation team for a short time. They have the vision that Hillsong is one house with many rooms (locations). Some of these rooms are not based in Australia, but in other countries with different languages. Because all Hillsong locations sing exclusively Hillsong songs, but not all locations conduct their activities in English (nor do they write their own songs in their own language), translations of their English songs are needed. The same probably applies to other Christian denominations as well.

Another reason is probably that we are fascinated by certain songs (and their message) and want to sing them in our mother tongue (because that way we can understand them better).

PS: Translating songs is a fine art!

Pro-arguments

• We understand the lyrics best in our mother tongue. Not everyone in German-speaking countries, for example, understands English worship songs that well.
• We are not so limited to songs that were originally written in our own mother tongue.
• On mission trips, many Christians around the globe often know songs such as “How Great Is Our God” in their own native language. This makes it possible to worship together. (Experienced first-hand in Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Moldova and Finland.)

Contra-arguments

• The vision – and often the theology – of the church that sings translations from other church organisations is stretched, and sometimes even pushed to its limits.
• Most languages already have plenty of their own worship songs.
• Songs are often tied to a specific cultural context. It might therefore be better to use songs from one’s own country, with their own rhythms (and dances), etc.

Action step: I’d like to encourage you to write your own songs in your own language for your own country, church association and perhaps even specifically for your own congregation. Songs that reflect the heart and vision of your church.

Can you think of any other reasons for or against translating worship songs? Please share them in the comments below: