Let’s go trilingual, nay, quadrilingual with the national anthem!

Thursday, 9 January 2020 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

It was reported in the newspapers that the National Anthem will be sung only in Sinhala at the 72nd Independence Day celebrations to be held on 4 February at the Independence Square. This is to request that the anthem be sung in at least three languages (E/S/T).

I personally would prefer that this be sung in four languages i.e. including Arabic (E/S/T/A). The rationale behind the proposal is that we should instead of just parroting the verses as it is the usual practice without knowing the actual meaning conveyed in the anthem. This will be then even understood by the foreign dignitaries from other countries who will be attending this ceremony to know the content of the anthem.

The other advantage is that it may even kindle the interest of the people to learn these languages. Singing it in three or four languages will give diversity and ensure that people of other faiths are also given due recognition and ours being a multi-religious, multi-racial and multi-ethnic country.

Therefore, I kindly request the President to accede to the above request and I sincerely hope that the 72nd Independence Day will then be a memorable one if the above proposal can be implemented. Won’t our anthem then be more colourful, vibrant and awesome? By the way, the anthem is sung in five languages in South Africa.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo 14