The Dance-Language Conflict | Application of Research

Another key characteristic of language is its ability to be translated. So, how would one go about translating dance? As an experiment, I asked six different people to translate this dance piece. The directions they received were as follows:

"Please send me a written translation of what you see in the video. This may take any form, as long as you are using words as your medium. You may choose to objectively describe what the body is doing, your perceived intention/emotion/story of the movement, list descriptive words or concepts, describe it using poetry, analogy, or narrative, etc. Your possibilities are limitless here, and you can choose as many avenues as you see fit...The only real requirement is that you must use words, and that your description must be chronological. Don't summarize the general themes of the piece in a paragraph - think of it as something that could be made into a list based on the order that things happen...[F]ind the most efficient way to describe the work. Challenge yourself to be able to speak your directions as the dance is happening...I will be using your translation to create a new dance work."

In return, I received six different responses that became their own unique variations of the work:

1. Maree ReMalia - Professional Dance Artist and Gaga Teacher

2. Robbie Weatherington - Undergraduate Dance Student

3. Emery Tackett - Undergraduate Music Composition Student

4. Amelia Ringer - Undergraduate Stage Management Student

5. Adam Thatcher - Professor of Voice for the Actor

6. Cindy Lucas - Stay-at-Home Mom

Each of my translators' written responses are available here.