2006年VOA标准英语-US Anthem in Spanish Sparks Controversy

By Leta Hong Fincher
Washington, DC
02 May 2006
 
watch National Anthem¹ report

A new Spanish version of the United States national anthem has added to the controversy² over the role of immigrants in U.S. culture. 

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Carlos Ponce 
  

The Spanish version of the National Anthem is called "Nuestro Himno" or "Our Song."  It features Latino stars Carlos Ponce, Gloria Trevi and others singing a loose translation of the "Star-Spangled Banner." 

 

Gloria Trevi  
  

The recording³ has sparked controversy because it rewrites some of the original English lyrics⁴, using phrases such as "we are equal; we are brothers." The song's release also coincides with a nationwide boycott⁵ to support immigration reforms.

President Bush told a recent news conference that he objected to the Spanish version of the U.S. anthem. 
 
 
President Bush
  
"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English and I think people who want to be a citizen ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English," stated Mr. Bush.

Not everyone agrees. Leo Chavez, an anthropologist⁶ at the University of California in Irvine, says the song celebrates immigrants to the United States. 

 
Leo Chavez 
  
"No matter what language you sing it in, it's a beautiful statement about people who are saying look, we are here, we really want to make a positive contribution, we're not criminals."

Still, many Americans, such as Albert Barrios of Los Angeles, think the anthem is disrespectful in any language other than English.  "I am Latino, Chicano, American -- and I think it should probably be sung in English just so that we know that we are genuinely American."

One Los Angeles Spanish-language radio station reported that 60 percent of its Hispanic listeners did not think the anthem should be sung in any language except English.

British music producer Adam Kidron distributed "Nuestro Himno" to Spanish-language radio stations across the United States. Mr. Kidron said in a statement that he released the song to help those who do not speak English understand the ideals of freedom expressed in the U.S. national anthem.

1 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

2 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。

5 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。

6 anthropologist   

n.人类学家，人类学者

参考例句：

• The lecturer is an anthropologist.这位讲师是人类学家。
• The anthropologist unearthed the skull of an ancient human at the site.人类学家在这个遗址挖掘出那块古人类的颅骨。