AIBU im not french so why do olympic opening ceremony think i am?

[BlueBirdsNest]

It's like the eurovision song contest

SAY IT IN ENGLISH FIRST

are we trying to suck p france's ass or something

Wow. What a well thought out and intelligent post OP

TBH the French should get over themselves already. In 1948 athletes got a free pair of y-fronts for competing. Now in 2012 they get much more, but we're still stuck with bloody French? Why not do it in Chinese, they have more people, more medals and more money. French is irrelevant.

But Cardiff (last time I looked) is in Wales, and it was hosting those two matches (and many others).

Not sure why you mention Coventry, as that is in England so had it's home language included in the 'All Olympic events have announcements in French, then English' bit.

The Olympic host nation is the UK.
The national language of the UK is English.

The actual language at the venues is irrelevant.

BFG - there are matches in other areas but it was London that bid for the games and it is London that is the host city, Football stadiums are being used in Coventry, Cardiff and other cities as a favour to the host city so the language stays the same as the host city they are doing a favour for.

It isn't about being in England as it is not England that is hosting the games, it is London

But English second is better surely because then you get to hear what they say and roar and cheer...

Not hear what they say, roar and cheer, then have to shut up for five seconds while they repeat in French

?

are we trying to suck p france's ass or something

Charming. And a pretty ignorant OP for all the reasons given already.

Totally agree, just a very arrogant assumption about being English and "coming first". No wonder there is such a negative view about the English at times.

I did not understand it either though I never realised French was the official language of Olympics and was Every day a school day!!

A friend has just asked the question on facebook about this and I didn't know the answer. I look like a really educated fancy pants now because of this thread and was able to reply. I did wonder about this and now I know. Thanks Mumsnet!

I didn't like it either. And not because I don't understand the history of it, but because I don't agree that it's the right thing.

I think that it would be far better to have the host language first. I don't see why it can't be changed so that whatever country hosts the event - olympics, eurovision, whatever - their language is first.

Well, it CAN be changed. There is no physical barrer preventing change. It's that it won't be changed.

'We've always done it like this so we should always do it like this' is the crappest of all crap arguments. There is nothing wrong with reviewing something and saying you know what, perhaps there is a better way of doing this.

I think host language first, then I don't much care. Have it French and then English. Or French and then Spanish. Or German and then Kiswahili. Don't care. But I do think that the Host of something deserves the, what's the word? status? respect? honour? of being the primary language at an event they are staging.

I can't understand why anyone would get so upset about something like this. I can't think of any reason why English should be first, wheher we are hosting or not. And I can't think why it should other anyone.

I think it's a lovely way to honour Coubertin - after all were it not for him there would be no Olympic games.

Ah, yes, the Anglo-centric linguistic view of the world, that old chestnut. On the plus side, some MN have had their doubts dispelled so that's a good thing!

Actually, I think the host language should come last - you are the host, it's just polite. When you dish out food to your dinner guests, don't you serve yourself last??

It's practical to say it in English as well in, say, China, where it was first French (official language), then English (lots of people can understand, so it's practical and polite - i.e. no obligation), then Chinese (the gracious host's own language).

Plus, kayano made a very good point too about the practicality of coming last: English second is better surely because then you get to hear what they say and roar and cheer

Too right OP. Bloody Frogs. They're always doing it.

At least we didn't have to listen to their pop music

Forget all of this French crap. We are the host country, NOT France. Therefore the first language should be English as the games are being hosted in GREAT BRITAIN! I am an Englishman who lives in Great Britain NOT FRANCE. It is disrespectful to give the primary commentary in French. I have nothing against the French but as the games are being hosted in Great Britain, it is only right and fitting that any primary commentary should be in the language of the host country. Forget convention. Consider what is polite. And as for the National Anthem! 'Long to rain over us'? I do not bloody think so!

Or even, 'long to reign over use'!

Or even 'long to reign over us.' I knew I would get there in the end!

BlueBirdsNest Fri 27-Jul-12 22:56:03
really ? french is the official language .......should it not be greek , or latin

Latin? what? I mean why?

Forget all of this French crap. We are the host country, NOT France. Therefore the first language should be English as the games are being hosted in GREAT BRITAIN! I am an Englishman who lives in Great Britain NOT FRANCE. It is disrespectful to give the primary commentary in French. I have nothing against the French but as the games are being hosted in Great Britain, it is only right and fitting that any primary commentary should be in the language of the host country. Forget convention. Consider what is polite

The original games had disappeared for over 1000 years until Baron Pierre de Coubertin (French) had the idea of reviving them. It's due to him that the first modern Olympics were held in the late 19th century.

You obviously have no idea about how the history impacts on the convention. There is no reason whatsoever for English to be the first language. As someone said earlier: no wonder so many other countries regard us as arrogant and small minded.

Lol @ y-fronts and Latin.

are we trying to suck up Frances ass or something?

Made I laff

Vous êtes très dèraisonnable. Avoi un biscuit

Avoir not avoi! Putin stupide I-phone!

Putain not Putin. Ok I give up.

I like the idea of a Putin I-phone.

On the subject of language, everything else, everywhere else is in English. Let's let the French have this one.