The Star-Spangled Banner in Spanish
 

Wondering what some of your thoughts were? I actually don't mind having people sing the National Anthem in Spanish... its a reflection of our country's diversity.

I stand by my answer in This Thread

I support this.

I'm not "offended" if someone wants to honor our country by singing the National Anthem in his native language; however, as a citizen -- I think all should be able to sing it in English.

I also believe that the United States SHOULD have an official language -- English.

I couldn't agree more! If I moved to Mexico, whether legally or illegally, people wouldn't learn my language to accomadate me. Why should I learn Spanish?

But it doesn't, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

You never cease to amaze me. Are you even human, or are you a robot created by the ACLU?

I'm not fine with the fact they changed the words to this song to fit their political agenda. FYI, the words weren't changed because of translation issues, the words were changed for amnesty issues. Also, anyone using the lame-ass excuse of " well, english isn't even America's official language..." needs to choke themself. English may not be in the books as America's official language, but in all reality it is.

**Side note**

Does anybody think that all of this hoopla might bring about some interest to actually try to make english the official language?

I created a thread to discuss this, because I don't think this thread should turn into that debate. It's definitely a separate issue.

I disagree. I think it's a related issue.

Do you try to dehumanize everyone that disagrees with you? Seriousy you are the worst waste of life I have ever encountered.

BTW,

America will NEVER have an offical language.

Even worse than Ann Coulter?

What is wrong with having an official language or languages? Canada is all about multiculturalism and even encourages people to keep (some of) their old country values (e.g. government supported heritage programs), yet we have official languages: ENGLISH and FRENCH. In order to be a citizen, you have to be able to communicate reasonably well in either of those languages (though I have to admit that the standards aren't often high enough).

I'm seriously asking you not to encourage him. You've read the rest of his posts. None of them make sense. It's what he enjoys doing.

As for English, it is the de-facto official language of the country and 27 states have declared it as their official language. The historical precedents are there and I look forward to the day that we enact federal legislation saying so and remove any such confusion that illegal immigrants and their supporters may have.

The Star-Spangled Banner was not written in Spanish and I highly doubt that there are Mexicans wandering around thinking "Gee I love this country so much but I don't want to speak English and integrate within the community so I will learn the song in Spanish".

-Rudey

Again, I agree.

Defend this position - cites would be nice, but if you want to just spout mindless generalizations and illogical 'truisms' without support, hey. Why not huh.

I think it's fine to translate it into Spanish to help those who don't understand English get the meaning of the song. I'm all for it being translated into any language to help people understand it better.

When I was first learning Spanish my husband/friends always said "When you really know Spanish it will sound even better/make more sense". I still don't know it well enough to get that, but I can see how the same could be said for English.

That said, I absolutely think it should be sung in English. And I really don't think the people who came up with the idea had any plans for it to be sung at sporting events or whatever. However, it would have probably come across more "legit" if they had just one, well-respected Latin artist do it instead of a "we are the world" type hodge-podge of artists.

A. B. Quintanilla. Or maybe (just maybe) Julio/Enrique Iglesias

Check the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo, which basically states that we cannot inact a law that will supress the culture of the people of the land that treaty granted us. Thus, we cannot enact an official language.

Then check the constitution about treaties.

Tada, no official language.

I haven't read the Treaty in its entirety, but what you've said basically sounds like official languages CAN be established. It just can't be a language spoken by those who originally had the land. However, this means that Spanish, possibly French and a host of Native American languages have to be included.

It is possible for countries to have more than one official language.

Not really. Nobody said abolish Spanish so that makes no sense.

On top of that there are hundreds of treaties that nobody follows or are void. Ask the Native Americans about treaties.

Tada, official language.

-Rudey

Okay, I've looked in the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo, and I can't find anything like that anywhere. Where is it, and what exactly does it say?

As for the national anthem, I'm of the opinion that by silently allowing countless celebrities to butcher the national anthem at sporting events over the last few decades, and by even applauding such horrors, Americans have forfeited the right to complain about anything anyone does to the national anthem.

Mystic CAt, good call.


If you sing "o saved us that star spangled banner" then blitz ab (thats from the german version[not really])

I'm glad amending these sorts of documents is impossible - hence the word 'never' being the point I'm addressing.

Additionally, the cites I'm finding for this document don't mention culture - instead, they mention protection for property and civil rights of the Mexicans inside the Texas/AZ/NM borders . . . I don't have time to scan the full text, but maybe you can help me? It's an interesting provision, but again you claim it "basically" says that - I'm honestly not trying to play semantic/semiotic games here, but it seems like a national language would certainly be possible, even if improbable.

-RC
--You voted last year, right?

The Flag, Oh, Our, Yours and My Flag for the People wjho
 

Sorry, but either Speak the Lingo of the Country or do not expect every Given Thing as Cal. does.

Either Sing The National Anthem as it was supposed to be or do not sing it!

I cringe When I see some fat assed Bitch or Ex Rock Star Try To do It Their Way.

While I would like to see it Changed, It Is Our as Americans National Anthem.

If You do not like it, then why in the heck are You here?:mad:

This also goes for People Who Have Died and Will Die for My/Our Country!

I hope You are Wrong.

We do not speak English, We Speak American.:cool:

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? I don't think that is right......(maybe i'm wrong....I don't know.)

Tom, I agree.....why be here if you don't like it.

Thank you. Again, it's not about just translating it into Spanish. The words were rewritten to further the agenda. That's like spitting on the flag to me.

Could you please show us the passage where it says this?

http://home.sandiego.edu/~villegas/articles.html

Thanks!

I think some folks may be confused here. The 'Spanish Star-Spangled Banner' is not a true translation from English to Spanish. It's not even close to a word-for-word translation. Even the title has been changed to 'Nuestro Himno' or 'Our Anthem.'

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5369145

Just wanted to set this straight for people who thought it was a simple translation of Francis Scott Key's lyrics to Spanish.

this is the only thing I found remotely relating to any type of culture suppression...

So Mac, if U.S. citizens are expected to know english, so would Mexicans have been.

Also, I'm not really sure how that treaty applies at all to illegals. It seems to only apply to those Mexicans left over in the United States' new lands following the Mexican-American War.

[sidetrack]
Maybe it's time for this group of Greeks to pull out the original lyrics:

I.
To Anacreon in Heav'n,
Where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony
Sent a petition
That he their Inspirer
And Patron would be;
When this answer arrived
From the Jolly Old Grecian:
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
No longer be mute,
I'll lend you my name
And inspire you to boot,
Chorus:
And besides I'll instruct you,
Like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."

II.
The news through Olympus
Immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended
To give himself airs.
"If these Mortals are suffered
Their scheme to pursue,
The devil a Goddess,
Will stay above stairs.
Hark, already they cry,
In transports of joy,
'Away to the Sons
Of Anacreon we'll fly,
Chorus:
And there with good fellows,
We'll learn to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus' Vine.

III.
"The Yellow-Haired God
And his nine fusty Maids
From Helicon's banks
Will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast
But of tenantless shades,
And the bi-forked hill
A mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on't,
Shall soon do its errand,
And dam'me I'll swing
The Ringleaders I warrant.
Chorus:
I'll trim the young dogs,
For thus daring to twine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."

IV.
Apollo rose up,
And said, "Pry'thee ne'er quarrel,
Good King of the Gods,
With My Vot'ries below:
Your Thunder is useless"--
Then showing his laurel,
Cry'd "Sic evitabile
Fulmen, you know!
Then over each head,
My laurels I'll spread,
So my sons from your Crackers
No mischief shall dread,
Chorus:
While, snug in their clubroom,
They jovially twine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."

V.
Next Momus got up
With his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo
He'd cheerfully join --
"The full tide of Harmony
Still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch,
And the Laugh shall be mine.
Then, Jove, be not jealous
Of these honest fellows."
Cry'd Jove, "We relent,
Since the truth you now tell us:
Chorus:
And swear by Old Styx,
That they long shall intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."

VI.
Ye Sons of Anacreon,
Then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity,
Friendship, and Love!
'Tis yours to support
What's so happily plann'd;
You've the sanction of Gods,
And the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our toast let it be:
"May our Club flourish Happy,
United, and Free!
Chorus:
And long may the Sons
Of Anacreon intwine
The Myrtle of Venus
With Bacchus's Vine."

[/sidetrack]

I'm not confused, I already knew it wasn't an exact translation - exact translations are often really hard to do. We need to remember that the song still needed to sound decent in terms of phrasing and such, so liberties may have been taken.

Personally, I think the only part that isn't pretty much a match is:
a symbol of victory
the glory of battle, the march toward liberty.
Throughout the night, they proclaimed: "We will defend it!"

That doesn't seem to be fostering any sort of agenda except to say the flag is a beautiful symbol and people should defend it. I don't think they should have called it "Our Hymn" though - something closer to "Star Spangled Banner" would have been better and omitting the word "Our" would have helped the cause.

And folks, please don't get into a "if you don't want to be here then leave" argument. This has nothing to do with not wanting to be here or trying to make America into their home country...:rolleyes:

My guess is that it's the "second verse" that's getting to some people:

Its stars, its stripes, liberty, we are equal.
We are brothers, it is our anthem.
In the fierce combat, as a sign of victory,
The brilliance of battle... (My people, keep fighting!)
...in step with freedom, (Now is the time to break the chains!)
Throughout the night they said: "It will be defended!"
Oh say you! Does it still wave, its starred beauty,
Over the land of the free, the sacred flag?


This doesn't really match up to any of the remaining verses of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as far as I can tell, although it does seem to pull some themes and images from all three of the remaining verses.

I would love to see a quick poll done of how many Americans know there are 4 verses to"The Star-Spangled Banner" or could quote even one line from any verse but the first. I think that gets at why I'm having a hard time getting worked-up over Nuestro Himno. Most native-born English speakers don't even know the whole song, so most native-born English speakers wouldn't know whether the translation draws on verses other than the first one.

Forget the other verses, I'd like to see a poll of how many Americans could make it through the first verse.

Of course, then you have the issue of "Ok, we sung it - now, what does that even mean?" I don't know many "folks on the street" who could give a working definition of a "rampart".

LOL! You can sing Die Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen for me anytime.

So basically if someone doesn't know who the vice-president of America is, they have no right to complain if someone a la Hitler were to take up the position?

Or maybe if someone doesn't know their rights when arrested, they have no right to complain afterwards. Except the courts see it differently.

-Rudey

Ok, but until my voice decides to start cooperating with me, it will have to be minus the first set of coloratura.;)

Ummm, no, but good try on spinning the comment completely out of context and trying to turn it into something I didn't suggest at all. Seriously, I don't know how you got there.

My point was actually quite a simple and straightfoward one: In my opinion, for decades, American culture has treated "The Star-Spangled Banner" with a fair amount of disrespect, particularly in the form of "artistic freedom and interpretation" but also in the form of not even learning the whole song. (Yes, there was a time when all school children learned all 4 verses). That's why, again in my opinion, it's ironic for Americans to complain about disrespect being shown the national anthem.

In my opinion, the melting pot is calling the la caldera black.