The 'rise of English language' in Eurovision

[jpilkington09]

What does everyone think about the 'so-called' rise of English at Eurovision?

I'm a traditionalist and miss hearing multiple languages at the contest. 2018 is an improvement on recent years, but nothing compared to 2007-2013. What would it take for more countries to switch back to their native languages?

I recently wrote something on this topic and would love to get some fan opinions on it: http://www.continentalbreakfasttravel.net/2018/04/16/rise-english-use-national-languages-eurovision/

(First time posting so apologies if this is in the wrong place and apologies if this is too much of a self-plug!)

 

[mauve]

I wish more countries would dare to sing in their languages. I miss that very much. That's why I am thankful for the entries of Albania, Georgia, Serbia, Hungary or Armenia. But often it's just the language that gives you connection to a certain Country. Mostly the song itself is so much "westernized" that you can't hear the traditional music anymore. There are exceptions such as Armenia, Serbia or Georgia. So it's not only the language that keeps you away from getting to know a country, but the music too.

 

[Realest]

Many Countries have horrible Languages and should better sing in english. But others who have beautiful Languages should better sing in Motherlanguage.

 

[Juliette]

Lithuania has tried singing in Lithuanian twice. Apparently, the results were self-explicatory and we won't do it for many years to come. Too bad there is a great amount of singers / countries who keep doing the same thing. Possibly for a similar reason? To be understood better?

 

[Romeo]

Lithuania has tried singing in Lithuanian twice. Apparently, the results were self-explicatory and we won't do it for many years to come. Too bad there is a great amount of singers / countries who keep doing the same thing. Possibly for a similar reason? To be understood better?

One song in Lithuanian / Samogitian was one of the best songs in ESC history... Lithuania 1999 was amazing

 

[jpilkington09]

I agree - I always thought Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro were really good at sending beautiful Balkan ballads that really showed off Balkan music.

And Georgia this year has done a great job to send something so different.

 

[jpilkington09]

Many Countries have horrible Languages and should better sing in english. But others who have beautiful Languages should better sing in Motherlanguage.

Every language is beautiful! I don't think many people would've said Portuguese was so beautiful until last year...

 

[Citelis]

I want more english songs since usually my favourites are in english.

 

[Realest]

Every language is beautiful! I don't think many people would've said Portuguese was so beautiful until last year...

Here, a Random Quote from a Random Article:

Aivan uskomatonta, ihan pian olen unelmani äärellä Euroviisuissa! Tätä olen odottanut niin monta vuotta. Nyt on luvassa vielä viimeiset harjoitukset ja pukusovitukset ennen kuin Lissabon kutsuu. Tuntuu, että uudistuneessa esityksessä kaikki on kohdillaan, joten olo on rauhallinen ja luottavainen

How can you call this a beautiful Language

 

[lavieenrose]

Here, a Random Quote from a Random Article:



How can you call this a beautiful Language

I would; I love unvoiced consonant-heavy languages

 

[Leydan]

I think some languages naturally sound pleasant to the ear in music, Spanish especially, also Italian, French. Whereas there are some languages where it is not so pleasant like Dutch or German. Of course this is subjective to some, but some languages sound more melodic and roll of the tongue better. I'd love as many countries as possible singing in their native language but I don't think everyone should be forced to be. It should come down to the song. Also countries shouldn't change the language of the songs from the original. The "I want them to hear the message" while singing some song that is about as emotional and impactful as a spork just doesn't work.

 

[John1]

Agree. I still didn't manage to figure out the inner message of Salvador's entry...

 

[Himan]

Well, I don't feel German and Dutch are that bad. I mean, in the old days Netherlands and Germany have won some Eurovision Contests. I think Netherlands won 3 out of 4 with Dutch. So It's probably not that bad, we just don't like our sounds ourselves, cause of lots of the *** that's made here with our language.

 

[BarefootBoogaloo]

The problem is somewhere along the way Sweden became the unofficial gatekeepers of Eurovision (implementing scoring systems based on Melodifestivalen have just furthered this thought), so when they use the "global appeal" line for a song contest, especially when you have the likes of K-Pop taking over, and even before that people listening to Rammstein or the like.

I don't think we'll see an increase in non-English songs in the future, which is a shame. I understand that maybe not everyone loves every language in the world, but it's better hearing someone sing in their native language and perform well then to sing in broken/unintelligible English, because then I'm more focused on the terrible English.

 

[mauve]

If a language is beautiful or not is in the eye of the beholder. Someone likes German or Dutch, the other one doesn't. It can be compared to Songs/Music. One says beautiful song, the other hates it. It's okay when a country sings in English, but it would be fine when more would dare to sing in their native language. But most of them think that the English language is universal and they reach a wider crowd with their song.

 

[jpilkington09]

I want more english songs since usually my favourites are in english.

So how do you feel that Greece is singing in Greek this year? Do you wish it was English?

 

[Citelis]

So how do you feel that Greece is singing in Greek this year? Do you wish it was English?

It's a nice song! I didn't said that i hate non-english songs but usually i prefer english ones aso Greek is different siunce is my native lanquage.

 

[lolita]

It's a nice song! I didn't said that i hate non-english songs but usually i prefer english ones aso Greek is different siunce is my native lanquage.

When "Óneiró Mou" was released, it had English translation on the official video, so it made me realize all its beauty!

 

[Citelis]

When "Óneiró Mou" was released, it had English translation on the official video, so it made me realize all its beauty!

Lyrics are amazing but most people will never understand them!

 

[Alaska49]

it's funny that kpop was mentioned because songs are always mostly in korean and every attempt at releasing kpop in english on western markets has flopped immensely while a song in korean eventually became the biggest song of 2012

eurovision does not need to be in english for any reason whatsoever and i would not be opposed to an english ban (unless it's an official language of the country). i say english ban rather than a language rule because i still think it's a positive when countries do non-native languages that are not english