There are a lot of big things happening around the world at the moment. Sudan, Myanmar, and Nepal, to name a few.
But what I want to focus on is, to be honest, such a small issue it’s almost silly: the fuss over the Spanish-language version of “The Star Spangled Banner”.
I’ll admit I was quite shocked by Bush’s statement, and I must say, Sir, that I disagree with you completely. Though I haven’t heard it yet, I’m sure someone must have pointed out that America has no official language, only a predominant one.
Why is it so critical that immigrants, legal or otherwise, who barely have a grasp on our language must parrot off an English version of our national anthem? I understand that it was written in English, but the message of the song has not changed. Would it not be better for people to sing the song in the language that they understand? The language with which they feel they can fully express themselves?
They’re still singing about America, Mr. President.
It boggles the mind.
*Shakes head*
I think singing the National Anthem in Spanish is a great idea! Let’s rewrite the lyrics, while we’re at it, for German, Italian, Polish, Arabic, Russian, Swahili, Ukrainian, Urdu, Czech, Slovak, Farsi, Swedish, Norwegian, Chinese, Japanese, French, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Portuguese… You get my drift?!
I don’t necessarily have a problem with a Spanish-language version of the National Anthem, but are you aware that some of the lyrics were changed in the process? From USA Today: “A remix to be released in June will contain several lines in English that condemn U.S. immigration laws. Among them: ‘These kids have no parents, cause all of these mean laws … let’s not start a war with all these hard workers, they can’t help where they were born.’”
Sounds a little more activist than patriotic don’t you think?
Absolutely, Doug. I am well aware that it is the intent of many to use the song as a means of activism. I don’t, personally, approve of that because they are changing the song. What I was referring to is simply a Spanish-langugage version of our national anthem.
And Meg, I suspect sarcasm, but I would say that I agree. Why can’t we have the anthem in multiple languages? Sure, it would still be sung most often in English (predominant language and all *wink*) But why can’t we put our national anthem in words that even the newest immigrant could understand? Like I said, it’s still about America.
just as a bit of clarification…
I realize the article I quoted has the song with it’s revised lyrics, and I know that President Bush also criticized the rewrite. On that point, we are in agreement.
My reponse was instead to this: “I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English,” “I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English.”
I couldn’t disagree more.