Our National Anthem and Bruce Allen

AnnaG

Hall of Fame Member
Jul 5, 2009
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I heard the Anthem in Anish at Jocko Point when they opened the new fire hall. Maw McLeod did a great job coaching the kids of Nbissing in how to get the words just right. It was beautiful!
I can imagine. It sounded funny when Dad did it, though. I noticed that the 13 yr old used some Cree words somewhat liberally when she sang the anthem. Dad could have but as I said, he's a stickler for integrity and won't substitute the word "God" with our word for Great Spirit (Gitchee Manito) and the same for other words.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
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Ottawa, ON
I am sorry, but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Hindi - enough is enough.
Nowhere or at no other time in our Nation's history, did they sing it in Italian, Japanese, Polish,
Irish (Celtic), German, Portuguese, Greek, or any other language because of immigration.

You haven't visited Youtube lately, have you. The Canadian national anthem has in fact been translated into a number of languages, especially into many First Nations and Inuit languages, but also Arabic, Esperanto, and possibly others. Add to that that the following official document from the Ministry of Education of Ontario encourages the singing of the National Anthem in various languages:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/resource/ecu93105.pdf

Specifically, it says on page 24:

"Boards may wish to enable schools to vary the presentation of the national anthem on the occasions that it is played over the public-address system by making available recordings of the anthem in different musical styles and arrangements and in various languages. Such variety heightens student attention and symbolizes Canada’s diversity."

It was written in English, adapted into French...

Not according to this:

Canadian Heritage - National Anthem: O Canada

It was originally composed by Calixa Lavallée in French, and it was first performed in Quebec City on June 24, 1880.

The English version, which is by no mean a translation, albeit influenced by the French original, was composed by Robert Stanley Weir.

So English is no more the original language of the National Anthem than Klingon is of Shakespeare's works.

... and should be sung word for word the way it was written.

So I guess the English version is out of the question too?


The news broadcasts even gave the Hindi version translation which was not even close to our National Anthem.

Weir's version diverges quite a bit from the original too, especially in the loss of Catholic symbolism found in the original. So who is judge and jury as to how far it can diverge from the original?

I am not sorry if this offends anyone, this is MY COUNTRY - IF IT IS YOUR COUNTRY, SPEAK UP -- please pass this along .

It is not just your country. Who made you king of the land? It's our country. Ever heard of democracy?

I am not against immigration -- just come through like everyone else. Get a sponsor; have a place to lay your head; have a job; pay your taxes, live by the rules AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE as all other immigrants have in the past -- and LONG LIVE CANADA!'

As all other immigrants did in the past? So what North American indigenous language do you speak?

It's time we all get behind Bruce Allen, and scrap this Political Correctness crap. His comments were anything but racist, but there are far too many overly sensitive 'New Canadians' that are trying to change everything we hold dear.

Well, now that we've cleared up a bunch of incorrect facts, both historical and present, let's look at the real facts, shall we?

ARE WE PART OF THE PROBLEM ??? Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, will we still be the Country of Choice and still be CANADA if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries who have come to live in CANADA because it is the Country of Choice??????

What are you getting at? Unless we rewrite history like the Klingons did about Shakespeare, no one will want to come to Canada?

Think about it!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT CANADIAN'S, MUST ADAPT.

It is Time for CANADA to speak up. If you agree ? Pass this along; if you don't agree ? Delete it and reap the ill wind because of your complacency!

Oh I won't be complacent as long as we show such ignorance about the history of the National Anthem of our own country. If you were born and raised in Canada and do not know that the English version of the National Anthem is not even the original one, that's just sad.

Canada had undergone numerous anthems throughout its evolution, with the current official one having stated in French and then gotten translated into English. It has had a long and dynamic multilingual history. Anyone familiar with this history would rather maintain the tradition of the dynamic evolution of our National Anthem and not through that tradition out the window just to flatter his own rewritten history of our Anthem.

Instead of complaining about people translating the Anthem into Hindi, how about learning your own history and maybe learn the Anthem in the original language yourself?
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
Now that you all know where the anthem really comes from, I agree with the fact that our anthem should not under any circumstances be singed in Hindi at the Olympics..

Now this I can agree with, but for totally reasons than those stated in the OP. Certainly, it ought to be sung in a language most at the Olympics could understand, and that won't be Hindi.

As for composing a Hindi version of the National Anthem to be sung by Hindi speakers when the general audience is Hindi, at least in non-official contexts, that I could certainly agree with.
 

Machjo

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 19, 2004
17,878
61
48
Ottawa, ON
lol My Dad tried to translate the anthem into Anish, but it doesn't translate well and a lot of the words were still in English. I suppose he could always substitute similar words but Dad's a bit of a stickler for integrity.

Considering that the English version is by no means a translation anyway, but adapted to English tastes, why not do the same with an Anish version?
 

amphibiias

New Member
Feb 15, 2009
5
0
1
Winnipeg
I agree, but......

You are somewgat in error.

"O Canada" was proclaimed Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered.

Incidentally, the French and English versions bear little resemblance to each other. We are not a unified country in any way.

Pass this along if you agree.[/quote]