O Canada - "They Want to Sing it in Hindi"

A rumour has been circulating recently about the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, which will take place tonight. Some Canadians have been up in arms over the possibility that our national anthem, O Canada, will be sung in some language other than English or French - Canada's two official languages. One way this rumour circulates is an email in which the author appeals to the reader's sense of patriotism, saying, "immigrants, not Canadians, must adapt."

There is no confirmation that there are any plans for the national anthem to be sung in Hindi - or Italian, Greek, Spanish, Gaelic, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, or any other language mentioned in the message. It appears that the email campaign was adopted from an older one of American origins, and was sparked by a radio commentary about the intolerance of certain Canadians towards immigrants.

Olympic Coverage in Multiple Languages

Even on the day of the Opening Ceremonies there is a great deal of secrecy about what we should expect from them, but we do know the events themselves will be covered in a wide range of languages in Canada. Besides English and French, there will be broadcasts in eight aboriginal languages and six Asian ones too. Networks carrying Olympic broadcasts in a variety of languages include Aboriginal Peoples Television network (APTN,) Asian Television Network (ATN) and OMNI.

VANOC Trademark on O Canada

While there seems to be no plan to sing O Canada in anything other than the traditional French (the language in which it was composed) and English, phrases from the Canadian national anthem have been adopted for the purposes of marketing the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. In fact, VANOC went so far as to apply for a trademark on their selected phrases, "With glowing hearts," and "Des plus brillants exploits." A federal law passed in 2007 protects these phrases, along with a number of other symbols and expressions associated with the 2010 Games.

Very few people seem to be aware of the action, despite the fact that it was reported in the national press back in 2008. Those who learn about the trademark generally feel it was not necessary to trademark the phrases excerpted from our national anthem, as its lyrics are in the public domain and therefore anyone can use them for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

Sources:

"Anthem uproar" Barbara Mikkelson (Urban Legends Reference Pages)

"Games being broadcast in multiple languages for polyglot Canadian audiences" Keith Bonnell and Florence Loyie (Canwest New, Edmonton Journal)

"With Glowing Hearts we trademark thee" Elijah Stauth (Gauntlet)

"'With Glowing Hearts' is 2010 Olympics & Paralympics motto" Margaret Lee (Qi)