It's not dumbing down to address tings that are common to all human beings -- it's the nature of the art, when it succeeds. What does and does not translate is a fascnating study. Lili Marlene translates beautifully as a tune, but calls for regional versions of the lyrics, for example. Guantanamera, because the lyrics are from an independent viewpoint, can be translated into any language and still mean something. Obscure Anglo-saxon metaphors probably have problems reaching into cultures that are built on different cogntiive frameworks (knights, crows, silver daggers, ladies in lakes, and such).

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