Translation and Meaning Making: A Critical Study of a Multilingual Performance in “The Voice Russia”

The paper explores the meaning making potential of incorporating translation in a multilingual performance. Drawing evidence from the multilingual performance of “Soldat” (“Soldier”) by Dilyara Vagapova in blind auditions of the vocal contest “The Voice Russia” (“Golos”) and ethnographic data, it demonstrates that resorting to a language unfamiliar to the audience can serve as an attention-getter, enhance the musical component of the song, and construct the performer's ethnic identity.