A Study on the Strategies for Adapting Classical Chinese Poetry into Songs from 1990 to 2010

Abstract

This research aims to study the strategies for adapting classical Chinese poetry into songs from 1990 to 2010, analyzing a total of 14 songs. The study involves collecting and examining the content of both the original poems and the adapted songs, as well as reviewing related documents and research. The analysis focuses on identifying the patterns of poetic adaptation into song lyrics. The findings reveal five adaptation strategies: (1) retaining the original content, (2) incorporating key poetic lines into the lyrics, (3) omitting certain parts of the poem, (4) restructuring or modifying sentence structures, and (5) composing entirely new lyrics. The study concludes that adaptation strategies must balance fidelity to the original text with accessibility for listeners, avoiding alterations that distort the poem’s original meaning. Additionally, understanding the symbolic meanings, literary artistry, and historical context of the poetry is essential to preserving its literary value.