Land of the free? 7
A group of Latino artists including at least one Mexican and several Puerto Ricans have recorded a new version of the US national anthem in Spanish. The words have not been altered, but the right wing blogs see lots to be offended about. Are they worried Spanish-speakers and illegal immigrants will find out what the song is about? Personally, I think it’s an excellent comment on the hypocrisy of discourse on freedom that exists in this country. Clearly, it’s not the ‘land of the free’ for everyone. Whom exactly is the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ supposed to represent? More than 14% of the US population is Hispanic, and the economy is kept afloat by a labour force of 12 million undocumented immigrants. It’s another language, not a lesser form of humanity.
First of all the national anthem represents all of Americans, so it is sung in English which is the language of this country. There are immigrants in this country from all over, not only from spanish countries. What if they all just changed the national anthem. One of the things that makes this country great is that there are so many cultures but we all talk one language. Through time so many people have immigrated here and learned the language. They wanted to be American. If you want to be American you should learn the language. The spanish immigrants just seem to be arrogant as if this country owes them something. The Star Spangled Banner does not represent people that have broke our laws to come into this country. Those people are not part of our country and they have no rights. If they want rights they can go back to whatever country they came from. You are a guest here, if you want to stay here and be accepted play by our rules or get out. The Star Spangled Banner should only be sung in english.
So many cultures but one language? Language is an expression of culture which is exactly why it’s such a heated topic. Why not Spanish and English? Why not Spanish, Danish, and English? Anway, I am not arguing that the national language of the United States should not be English. The reality is simply, that there are many legal Americans (as well as illegal ones) who do speak Spanish. And who are not able to share in the patriotism and celebration of American goodness, because they do not get to experience it, because they do not have the same rights. Twelve million people is not just a bunch of outlaws. That’s a sizable portion of the working population of this country. And they are parents and siblings of legal Americans. They may be breaking a law by being here, but maybe it’s a stupid law that ought to be changed.
So, did you guys see what happened in the senate? They declared that The star spangle banner can only be sung in english.
What really puzzles me is, the nation that embraced Vladimir Nabokov – and Nabokob in return paid with the true hones requitement: the bite – and Albert Einstien, makes such a big fuss about a cultural bi-product such as the National Athem. Say what you will about nationalims, or symbols: the athem is just another catchy tune, like the Happy birthday, but the happy birthday can be sung in any language. It’s open source information, destined to prevail and pass from generation to generation.
I’m not saying either that the U.S. should adopt another language, but in such a plural country, speaking multiple languages would be a valuable tool, and a smart way to smoth social interaction.
I speak english, and i’ve never been to the U.S. If only admiration was retroactive.
You give America too much credit. The song Happy Birthday is under copyright until the year 2030, and you need to pay a license to perform it anywhere in public.
The Same Old Song
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.07/posts.html?pg=7
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You#.22Happy_Birthday_to_You.22_copyright_status
As an Englishman, I find it interesting that the right-wing blog you reference describes the US national anthem is “a moving and loved tribute to America’s fight for independence”. Yet apparently it must be sung only in the language of the nation from whom America was to fighting to gain her independence. Presumably that’s a deliberate irony is it?
It is not good having so many cultures in one language ..it is beyond the history!
Don Lapre Zach
webmaster@mashhadweb.com
http://www.mashhadweb.com
If any other nationality wants to sing the Star Spangle Banner in their native tongue that is fine with me. If they want to pledge allegience to my country (and their chosen one) more power to us all. Now comes the however. I do think we should use one language to unite us all. We cannot have several countries under one “roof.” We must all unite to remain “AMERICA.” dO i THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE UP THEIR LANGUAGE? NO.They can speak it in their homes and pass it onto their children and teach others as a second language but we must all have one language to communicate in. IN America it has always been English as it should be. WE teach English as a second lanuguagei n our schools to immigrants. I see instructions with camera’s, grills, televisions, etc. in Eglish, French and Spanish but rarely do I see it printed in Japanese, Chinese, Tai, Vietnamese, Porteguese, etc. Wasn’t the Tower of Babel in the Bible susposedly to separate one another in speech so that they could not communicate. Without a common language no culture will function at it’s best. If we want to speak another language can’t we find someone who will be glad to share their language, but should we teach 15 different languages in our schools. Absolutely not. (My opinion.0)