Eurovision

Saturday night was one of my favourite nights of the year-The Eurovision Song Contest. I've always loved it ever since I was very young, I think even back then I was fascinated to listen to all of the different langauages.

Over the years it has gone in and out of fashion, leaving me feeling sometimes "dead cool" and other times "a bit odd" (no surprises there then!). All of a sudden it seems to be back "in", I don't know whether this is because of Lord Lloyd Webber himself wrote this year's ditty for the UK, whether it is the change of host - although I did find some of Graham Norton's comments quite similar to the whit of Terry Wogan in previous years!. Whatever the reasons, I sat down last night, with several fellow Twitterers (virtually, of course) feeling not quite so "odd" as in other years, looking forward to a night of cultural diversity and linguistic delight.

The event itself offered up its usual oddities with Gladiators in the Ukrainian set and opera singers from Sweden and, as ever I was able to learn some new languages. I was, however very disappointed in several entries who sang in English. How can we ever encourage our pupils that it's important to be able to speak different languages if all they see is speakers of foreign languages singing in and speaking in English? It just adds to the arrogant English attitude of  "everyone speaks English, so why should I learn a new language". Even at an event which celebrates cultural diversity! Why can't they celebrate linguistic diversity too?

That said, the competition was won by an English Language song...however, I didn't like the entry for the song, it has to be said.

I don't seem to be able to embed the video so you'll have to follow the link below to see why I like the song!

Alexander Rybak

 

(I also annoy me husband by getting cross with the news for dubbing over foreigners speaking their own languages, instead of giving subtitles!)