First Amendment

[Information]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Does the First Amendment protection of free expression cover singing the "Star Spangled Banner"—the national anthem—in a foreign language?

[Information]

Should immigrants be allowed to record and perform the "Star Spangled Banner" in their native languages? Or should the national anthem be sung only in English?

Critic: Singing the "Star Spangled Banner" in other languages is disrespectful and unpatriotic, particularly when some of the original song's lyrics are changed. The anthem, which represents national unity, should be performed in the country's principal language, which is English.

Supporter: The U.S. is an ethnically and racially diverse nation that has a long history of accepting immigrants from around the world. By translating the national anthem into their own languages, immigrants are paying patriotic tribute to their adopted country.

The "Star Spangled Banner," the country's official anthem since 1931, is ubiquitous in American life. It can be heard regularly at schools, sporting events and patriotic ceremonies. The song, written by Francis Scott Key, pays tribute to both the U.S. flag and the enduring strength of the American spirit.

David McNew / Getty Images
In March 2000, immigrants sing the national anthem during a swearing-in
ceremony for a new U.S. citizens in Los Angeles, Calif.

Though the U.S. has no official language, the national anthem has been traditionally performed in English. Occasionally, however, a foreign-language version of Key's patriotic hymn has surfaced. In 1861, for example, German immigrants, eager to show their allegiance to their adopted country, translated the song into their native language. During subsequent decades, as more waves of immigrants moved to the U.S., Jewish immigrants translated the "Star Spangled Banner" into Yiddish, Cajuns living in the southern U.S. created a French version of the song, and the State Department commissioned a Spanish version of the anthem.

Those translations did not receive much public attention, but a 2006 Spanish-language version of the national anthem has provoked a substantial outcry from Republican lawmakers, conservative radio talk-show hosts and other U.S. citizens. The song, entitled "Nuestro Himno," or "Our Anthem," is largely based on the "Star Spangled Banner," but contains some lyrical revisions. Created for the country's sizeable Hispanic immigrant population, "Nuestro Himno" features a plethora of artists who are popular in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as hip-hop stars Wyclef Jean and Armando (Pitbull) Perez and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tañon.

While Hispanic audiences greeted the song warmly, key political figures like President Bush (R) dislike the fact that the new Spanish version changes some of Key's lyrics, and assert that the song should be sung only in English. To that end, Republicans in the Senate have introduced legislation that would make English the official language for the "Star Spangled Banner," the Pledge of Allegiance and other patriotic songs and oaths.

Many political analysts view the controversy over "Nuestro Himno" as a byproduct of the general public unrest that has surrounded U.S. immigration policy in recent years. As of early 2006, there are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants--many of whom are Hispanic--living and working in the U.S. While some Americans have called for tighter control of the nation's borders to stem the flow of undocumented workers, others have urged Congress to make it easier for illegal immigrants to gain temporary work permits or official U.S. citizenship. The impassioned debate over the fate of illegal immigrants has been a major source of partisan fighting in Washington, D.C., and has sharpened the "Nuestro Himno" controversy as well.

While translating the national anthem into a language other than English is not a new phenomenon, "Nuestro Himno" has struck a nerve with some Americans who charge that the new rendition is disrespectful and unpatriotic. By changing some of the words and adding new lines, critics say, the song's creators have altered the meaning and spirit of an important American cultural icon. Opponents insist that the "Star Spangled Banner," which is a symbol of national solidarity, should be sung in English, which is both the most common language in the U.S. and the language of the nation's first European settlers.

Meanwhile, backers of foreign-language translations of the national anthem insist that "Nuestro Himno" is a patriotic gesture. While they concede that it is not an exact translation of Key's song, supporters assert that the lyrics of "Nuestro Himno" stay true to the original anthem by paying tribute to the U.S. flag, the country's commitment to freedom and the bravery of the nation's earliest generations. By rendering the lyrics of the "Star Spangled Banner" in Spanish, proponents contend, "Nuestro Himno" positively influences Hispanic immigrants who are seeking permanent citizenship by fostering in them an appreciation of key American values.

Jeremy Eagle

[The Voice]

I think that if you're singing the National Anthem of the US, then you're loyal to the country regardless of what language you're singing it in.

However, there's another aspect to this question.

"Information" (or his/her/its source) was correct in saying that English is the principal language of this country, not the official one. I feel that English should be made the official language, not so much to satisfy this debate, but to help the population of this incredibly diverse experiment we know as America get along better--lubricate the wheels, so to speak.

If I were to move to a foreign-speaking country, the least I would do is learn to speak their language if they're willing to accept me there. Even if they don't require it, I would still learn the language out of respect and gratitude (and it can't possibly hurt me to learn it either).

The American government should make English the official language of this country; it should also provide free education to those emmigrating here so that they can learn it.

[Western_Samurai]

Freedom of speech protects the right to say almost anything but it doesn't force ppl to accept the speech and doesn't prevent someone from opposing the speech.

Personally I don't care what language you sing the anthem in as long as you don't change the lyrics of the anthem. I could make a dumb-downed version of the anthem in english but I don't think that would be well received either.

You wouldn't translate the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution into another language and change some of the words and lines.

[Rakka]

But the Hispanic version isn't called "The US National Anthem in Spanish". It is called "Our Anthem".

And history is full of old songs which have changed...read any old musinc book and a song may carry the credits "Adapted by........"

Freedom of speech doesn't prevent disagreement, but it protects the right of the people to say it. Therefore the freedom should exist to say something similar to the national anthem, but not identical. As long as it is not infringing copyright for profitmaking purpose.

To pull a generally used quote for these occasions out of the hat.......

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"... Evelyn Beatrice Hall paraphrasing Voltaire

[The Voice]

Originally Posted by Rakka

But the Hispanic version isn't called "The US National Anthem in Spanish". It is called "Our Anthem".



"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"... Evelyn Beatrice Hall paraphrasing Voltaire

I don't speak Spanish, and wasn't aware there was a "rewritten" version of the National Anthem. If "Information" was referring to that then he should have pointed it out.

Then again, maybe "Information" did! Those posts tend to be so long that I find myself skimming over them in search of the point! (been playing too much trivia perhaps)

Yeah if people are rewriting the National Anthem, then it's definitely time we insist that they learn English. How many other countries will let you in without knowing how to speak their language? Any? God knows that the countries these immigrants are coming from don't demand it. My great-grandparents had to learn English.

Small price to pay if you ask me.

[Rakka]

I agree that anyone intending to reside in another country should attempt to learn to communicate in the native tongue. I suppose if you're moving into an immigrant community, it takes away the need somewhat, but I couldn't imagine moving somewhere and not being able to speak the language.

But this is sidetracking from the actual question of whether the law should say what language a song can be sung in. A fluent English speaking person of Hispanic descent might actually find affinity with a Spanish language version.

and to take the "adapting of songs" further...

The US National anthem in itself is an adaptation of a drinking song written by an Englishman, John Stafford Smith ("To Anacreon in Heaven") and adapted by Francis Scott Key

which kind of underlines my earlier point about songs often being adaptations

....

Originally Posted by The Voice

IThen again, maybe "Information" did! Those posts tend to be so long that I find myself skimming over them in search of the point! (been playing too much trivia perhaps)

And yes, he did. And maybe he has =^.^=

[The Voice]

Originally Posted by Nebacudnezar

The hispanic version would sound alot better than the AMERICAN ENGLISH VERSION american english theres no sutch thing theres english and theres all the other languages flush the AMERICANENGLISH language down zee toilet OK.

Michael, until you learn to spell any version of English, just shut up ok?

[The Voice]

Originally Posted by Rakka

... this is sidetracking from the actual question of whether the law should say what language a song can be sung in. A fluent English speaking person of Hispanic descent might actually find affinity with a Spanish language version.

Rakka's such a stickler.

Actually, this was the initial question:

Originally Posted by Information

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Originally Posted by Information

Does the First Amendment protection of free expression cover singing the "Star Spangled Banner"—the national anthem—in a foreign language?

I suppose the phrase "abridging the freedom of speech" could loosely cover the rights of people to sing the anthem in a foreign language--depends on how good the lawyers are probably. Like I said in my initial post, if you feel compelled to sing the anthem (no matter what language it's in) then I feel you should be Constitutionally protected.

But as Rakka alluded to, if we're talking about rewriting it then that's a whole other matter.

Originally Posted by Rakka

And yes, he did. And maybe he has =^.^=

Honestly, I was referring to myself skimming posts, thanks to my turmultuous trivia experience!

[Rakka]

Originally Posted by The Voice

Rakka's such a stickler.

Actually, this was the initial question:

Yeah I guess. Maybe the long multiposts are getting to me because I was more thinging about this angle

Originally Posted by Information

While Hispanic audiences greeted the song warmly, key political figures like President Bush (R) dislike the fact that the new Spanish version changes some of Key's lyrics, and assert that the song should be sung only in English. To that end, Republicans in the Senate have introduced legislation that would make English the official language for the "Star Spangled Banner," the Pledge of Allegiance and other patriotic songs and oaths.