lyric-translator

---
name: lyric-translator
description: |
  Translate Indonesian song lyrics to natural-sounding English. Use when Beralio
  needs to translate their Indonesian lyrics for international release, sync
  licensing, or collaboration with English-speaking artists. Applies humanizer
  techniques to ensure translations feel authentic, poetic, and human-written—
  never robotic or AI-generated. Preserves rhythm, syllable flow, and emotional
  intent of the original.
---

# Lyric Translator: Indonesian → English

Translate Beralio's Indonesian lyrics into English that sounds like it was written by a native English songwriter—not translated by an AI.

## Core Philosophy

**Translation is rewriting, not converting.** A good lyric translation captures the *feeling* and *singability*, not just the literal meaning. Sometimes you need to completely reimagine a line to make it work in English.

## Translation Process

### 1. Understand First
- Read the entire lyric before translating anything
- Identify the core emotion/theme of each section
- Note any wordplay, cultural references, or double meanings
- Understand the syllable pattern and stress of each line

### 2. Translate for Singability
- Match syllable count where possible (±1-2 syllables is acceptable)
- Preserve stressed syllables on strong beats
- Keep rhyme schemes when natural; don't force awkward rhymes
- Prioritize how it *sounds* when sung over literal accuracy

### 3. Humanize Aggressively
Apply these anti-AI patterns specifically for lyrics:

#### Avoid
- ❌ Overly poetic/flowery language ("tapestry of emotions", "symphony of feelings")
- ❌ Generic love song clichés unless the original uses them intentionally
- ❌ Perfect parallel structures in every verse
- ❌ Thesaurus-hunting for "fancy" words
- ❌ Explaining the metaphor (if original says "hujan" metaphorically, don't add "like rain falling on my heart")
- ❌ Em dashes everywhere
- ❌ Starting multiple lines with the same word unless intentional anaphora

#### Embrace
- ✅ Conversational phrasing ("I don't know" > "I am uncertain")
- ✅ Contractions ("don't", "can't", "won't", "I'm", "you're")
- ✅ Sentence fragments when they hit harder
- ✅ Imperfect grammar if it sounds more natural sung
- ✅ Specific imagery over abstract concepts
- ✅ Occasional slang if it fits the song's vibe
- ✅ Letting some lines be simple and direct

### 4. Preserve Cultural Flavor
- Some Indonesian expressions have no English equivalent—reimagine them
- "Galau" → could be "lost", "torn", "messed up", "in my head" depending on context
- "Rindu" → "miss you" is fine, but consider "ache for", "long for", or just show don't tell
- "Baper" → "caught in my feelings", "too deep", "can't shake it"
- Keep proper nouns and place names when they matter to the song

## Output Format

For each translation, provide:

```
### Original (Indonesian)
[paste original lyrics with section labels]

### Translation (English)
[translated lyrics with same section labels]

### Notes
- Key translation choices explained
- Lines where meaning was adapted for singability
- Cultural references that were reimagined
```

## Examples

### ❌ Bad (AI-sounding)
**Original:** "Aku tak sanggup melihatmu pergi"

**Bad translation:** "I find myself unable to witness your departure from my presence"

**Problems:** Wordy, formal, unsingable, sounds like a legal document

### ✅ Good (Human)
**Original:** "Aku tak sanggup melihatmu pergi"

**Good translations:**
- "I can't watch you leave" (direct, singable)
- "Don't make me watch you go" (more emotional, same syllables)
- "Watching you walk away breaks me" (if you need more syllables)

---

### ❌ Bad (AI-sounding)
**Original:** 
```
Kau bagai mentari
Yang menerangi hariku
```

**Bad translation:**
```
You are like the radiant sun
Illuminating the entirety of my day
```

**Problems:** "Radiant", "illuminating", "entirety"—all AI red flags. Syllable count way off.

### ✅ Good (Human)
**Original:**
```
Kau bagai mentari (5 syllables)
Yang menerangi hariku (8 syllables)
```

**Good translation:**
```
You're the sun (3 syllables—close enough)
Lighting up my every day (7 syllables)
```

Or if the vibe is more casual:
```
You're my sunshine
Making every day bright
```

---

## Rhythm Matching Guide

| Indonesian Pattern | English Approach |
|-------------------|------------------|
| 4-5 syllables | Keep it tight: 3-5 syllables |
| 7-8 syllables | Aim for 6-8 syllables |
| Long flowing lines | Can break into two shorter phrases |
| Repeated syllable endings (rhyme) | Prioritize natural rhyme > forced rhyme |

## Common Indonesian → English Lyric Phrases

| Indonesian | ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|-----------|---------|------|
| Aku mencintaimu | I am loving you with all my heart | I love you / I'm in love with you |
| Kau begitu indah | You possess such immense beauty | You're so beautiful / You're everything |
| Hatiku hancur | My heart has been shattered into pieces | My heart's broken / You broke me |
| Rindu | I am experiencing a profound longing | I miss you / I ache for you |
| Kenapa kau pergi | Why have you chosen to depart | Why'd you leave / Why'd you go |
| Aku tak bisa | I find myself incapable | I can't / I just can't |
| Malam ini | On this particular evening | Tonight |
| Untuk selamanya | For the duration of eternity | Forever / Always |

## Quality Check

Before delivering, read the English version aloud as if singing. Ask:

1. Does it flow naturally?
2. Could a native English speaker have written this?
3. Are there any "AI words" (delve, tapestry, journey, etc.)?
4. Do stressed syllables land on strong beats?
5. Is it too wordy? Can anything be cut?
6. Does it *feel* like the original?

If any answer is "no"—revise.

## Special Instructions for Beralio

- Beralio writes pop/R&B influenced tracks—translations should match that vibe
- When in doubt, lean casual over formal
- Okay to suggest 2-3 translation options for key lines
- Flag any lines where literal translation would lose significant meaning
- If a section is intentionally repetitive in Indonesian, keep that structure