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[AKR]

Website Offical : http://www.eurovision.tv/

It is this weekend. I know most people think this is a lot of rubbish and it may be the case, but I love this contest mainly because of the atmosphere and you get to appreciate the culture of Europe through song in many different ways. I also hope this year Slovenija wins. *LOL* The only thing I hate about the contest today is people of non English speaking countries singing in English and further more the ones that sing in English that cannot even speak English but just learn the lyrics. It is nicer when people sing in their own tongue as the culture is appreciated more along with the beauty of the indivitual culture.

I believe this below is this years Slovenija entry. Singer Rebeka Dremelj who will sing the song "Vrag naj vzame" but I think she will not sing the proper Slovenian version but the English version. Last year a Serb won the contest. Although I am not fan of the Serbs I was very happy for the winner and that she sang her winning song in Serbian and not English.


Rebeka Dremelj


Rebeka Dremelj

And below last years Slovenija entry Alenka Gotar who sang "Cvet z Juga" I love that song and her dress is very nice too.

[Selcouth_Feline]

Oooh, I'll be watching I only really watch it because I love Terry Wogan's commentary - he gets more and more insulting as the contest wears on

[McLaren Fan]

Even the French are singing in English this year! I couldn't believe it when I first found out. In my opinion, each country should sing in their native/spoken language, for part of the reason for the competition's existence is undermined. I have to admit, however, that I don't really watch it and probably will not be watching it.

[7UpJordan]

Will Ireland be entering with this?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3ATQdUK1gS4

[EwanM]

Will Ireland be entering with this?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3ATQdUK1gS4

As long as they cut the saxophone bit

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8linZiGYS ... re=related

[darwin dali]

Even the French are singing in English this year! I couldn't believe it when I first found out. In my opinion, each country should sing in their native/spoken language, for part of the reason for the competition's existence is undermined. I have to admit, however, that I don't really watch it and probably will not be watching it.

Switzerland has 4 official languages (plus one unofficial one). Parts of France and Italy speak German, etc.

[bud]

eurovision makes me feel sick

[McLaren Fan]

Even the French are singing in English this year! I couldn't believe it when I first found out. In my opinion, each country should sing in their native/spoken language, for part of the reason for the competition's existence is undermined. I have to admit, however, that I don't really watch it and probably will not be watching it.

Switzerland has 4 official languages (plus one unofficial one). Parts of France and Italy speak German, etc.

That's true, particularly in the case of Switzerland, and some other exceptions, but I still that feel if one language is especially dominant, then the country should use it. In France, I think 92% speak French as their mother tongue, for instance. Perhaps something could be looked at that would allow the minority languages to become involved, I don't know. It's just a slight shame, I think, that a competition which is supposed to celebrate Europe's diversity, uses the English language for just about everything. Britain and Ireland are also lazy when it comes to learning foreign languages, partly because there is the idea that everybody can speak English. Eurovision only fuels that myth.

[AKR]

Even the French are singing in English this year! I couldn't believe it when I first found out. In my opinion, each country should sing in their native/spoken language, for part of the reason for the competition's existence is undermined. I have to admit, however, that I don't really watch it and probably will not be watching it.

Switzerland has 4 official languages (plus one unofficial one). Parts of France and Italy speak German, etc.

That's true, particularly in the case of Switzerland, and some other exceptions, but I still that feel if one language is especially dominant, then the country should use it. In France, I think 92% speak French as their mother tongue, for instance. Perhaps something could be looked at that would allow the minority languages to become involved, I don't know. It's just a slight shame, I think, that a competition which is supposed to celebrate Europe's diversity, uses the English language for just about everything. Britain and Ireland are also lazy when it comes to learning foreign languages, partly because there is the idea that everybody can speak English. Eurovision only fuels that myth.

You are right there McLaren Fan. A lot of people cannot speak English and Eurovison does give a false idea. I couldn't speak English 10 years ago either. Countries like Italy who has won the song contest twice (Ireland has a record 7 wins) no longer participates. This reason I am not sure but I would say it is political. Could be even due to the fact that people who sang in English started getting an unjustified advantage. This was verified by Carola the Swedish star who even said in an interview in the 2006 contest that she choose to sing her song at the last minute in English instead of Swedish because that would give her a better chance of winning. Last year was the first time in years that a song not sang in English won. It was in Serbian won by Serbia (Where the contest will be held this year). That win really made me happy and I was happy for the winner even though for a long time I have never gotten on well with Serbs. The victory will hopefully encourage others to sing in their native languages and know that it is possible to win.

Your last comment about Brits and Irish being lazy when coming to learn a foreign language cannot be blamed on them. I would blame the other Europeans like myself for letting them always get away with speaking to them in English when in non English speaking countries. It appears for now that English is becoming the major language of Europe (When you go to airports, international places and tourists places at least) however I have never supported this as it gives native speakers of English an unfair advantage. For this reason I do not support any other natural language either such as French, German, Italian or Spanish either. As the prime universal international language of Europe, I support Esperanto, however it appears this is slowly dying and English for now is sadly winning.

[AKR]

eurovision makes me feel sick

Despite some of the songs being rubbish, Eurovision gives me a sense of warmth, belonging and unity.

[McLaren Fan]

You are right there McLaren Fan. A lot of people cannot speak English and Eurovison does give a false idea. I couldn't speak English 10 years ago either. Countries like Italy who has won the song contest twice (Ireland has a record 7 wins) no longer participates. This reason I am not sure but I would say it is political. Could be even due to the fact that people who sang in English started getting an unjustified advantage. This was verified by Carola the Swedish star who even said in an interview in the 2006 contest that she choose to sing her song at the last minute in English instead of Swedish because that would give her a better chance of winning. Last year was the first time in years that a song not sang in English won. It was in Serbian won by Serbia (Where the contest will be held this year). That win really made me happy and I was happy for the winner even though for a long time I have never gotten on well with Serbs. The victory will hopefully encourage others to sing in their native languages and know that it is possible to win.

Your last comment about Brits and Irish being lazy when coming to learn a foreign language cannot be blamed on them. I would blame the other Europeans like myself for letting them always get away with speaking to them in English when in non English speaking countries. It appears for now that English is becoming the major language of Europe (When you go to airports, international places and tourists places at least) however I have never supported this as it gives native speakers of English an unfair advantage. For this reason I do not support any other natural language either such as French, German, Italian or Spanish either. As the prime universal international language of Europe, I support Esperanto, however it appears this is slowly dying and English for now is sadly winning.

There is a genuine laziness in the British Isles and there always has been. The British and Irish governments are getting things totally wrong. The standard of language teaching in schools is diabolical, and that's coming from somebody who has been through the system. The powers that be need to step in and increase the standards of language teaching and do something to change the mindset of Britons and Irishmen.

English became the dominant language of Europe and the world a long time ago, to be really honest. It is used for just about everything, for instance, in air traffic control (although the French insist on speaking French to French pilots). Having one language is, in my view, often necessary (although not in the case of Eurovision). The amount of confusion for non-French speaking pilots, for example, in France increases the risk of accidents, and some have happened because of it. English is a good language to choose, in my view. There are a lot adjectives etc. than many other languages, which does make the language more tricky to learn, but you reap the benefits of it when you do. I'm grateful that I was born in an English-speaking country, but I don't, unlike many British and Irish people, think I have the automatic right to be understood absolutely everywhere.

It's also worth saying that this is the first time I've ever had a serious discussion on the Eurovision song contest, something I never thought I'd do!

[bud]

stubborn French frogs

[darwin dali]

stubborn French frogs

Hm, frogs, hmmmmm

[McLaren Fan]

They are passionate about their language and culture, which is fair enough, but it's why I was so surprised they even considered singing their song in English, let alone go ahead with it! In terms of their air traffic control, it has caused accidents and there are more waiting to happen. They need to do something about that, for people's safety is paramount, although that's not about the Eurovision song contest, so I'll button it now.

[Selcouth_Feline]

There is a genuine laziness in the British Isles and there always has been. The British and Irish governments are getting things totally wrong. The standard of language teaching in schools is diabolical, and that's coming from somebody who has been through the system. The powers that be need to step in and increase the standards of language teaching and do something to change the mindset of Britons and Irishmen.

The government messes around so much with our education system, I think it's really tough. As an employer, I haven't got a clue what is equal to what any more, what with the Baccalaureate, A-Level, A2 level, AS level, GCE, GCSE, CSE, HNC, HND...it's a total mess.