Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

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NeeraWM
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Joined: 30 Nov 2021, 12:11

Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by NeeraWM »

In a passage like this (poem is set and original in English), should words like "adieu" be put in Italics?
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Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 22.36.49.png (61.04 KiB) Viewed 791 times
When I learned of the rule of putting foreign words in Italic it was 2008, and since then I've seen it both ways.
What is your opinion and experience?
Thank you
hautbois baryton
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by hautbois baryton »

While it's generally proper in a text, in the music I think it would be distracting.

If you print out a copy of the text (like as a foreword) you can italicize the foreign words there.
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NeeraWM
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by NeeraWM »

Thank you! I still need to check the original poem, but in the music, the source doesn't use Italics.
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John Ruggero
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by John Ruggero »

Foreign words that have become part of the English language are not italicized. "Adieu" would be one of those, as in, "I bid you a fond adieu".
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NeeraWM
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by NeeraWM »

How to know what foreign words have become part of the English language and what haven’t?
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John Ruggero
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by John Ruggero »

Look it up in a good English dictionary. If it is there, it is part of standard English. If not, check online. It may have entered the language recently. If not, italicize it the first time it occurs in text. As lyrics in a song, I wouldn't, but I am not sure what is considered correct.
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Harpsichordmaker
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by Harpsichordmaker »

I second John’s opinion: italics for words in languages other than the main language. “Adieu” has been incorporated in English, though (Marilyn Monroe sang “said adieu to love, don’t ever call again”), so no need for italics in this particular case.
However I’d italicize the word in the score under the notes as well, of course were appropriate. There can be cases when a word doesn’t seem extraneous to the main lamguage, and cam be helpful to the singer to know something is going on.
NeeraWM
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by NeeraWM »

Thanks all!
benwiggy
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by benwiggy »

John Ruggero wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 13:08 Look it up in a good English dictionary. If it is there, it is part of standard English. If not, check online. It may have entered the language recently.
The OED lists 'adieu' as being in common usage these last 600 years, so I'd say it's just about bedded in by now.
NeeraWM wrote: 14 Mar 2024, 21:40 In a passage like this
Even if italics were recommended, using a sans typeface in oblique style doesn't really confer the same contrast as Roman/Italics. :???:

I'd suggest a Grotesque in a Book Condensed face, if you must use sans.... :-|
Last edited by benwiggy on 21 Mar 2024, 17:54, edited 1 time in total.
NeeraWM
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Re: Lyrics in foreign language: italics of not?

Post by NeeraWM »

I will keep it in Regular, then.
Thank you for confirming.
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