The Power of Language in Eurovision: How English Dominates and When Words Cause Controversy 🎤🌍

As Eurovision 2025 approaches in Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭, the excitement is building! Fans across Europe (and beyond) are preparing for a spectacular showcase of music, culture, and—of course—language. 🎶✨ One of the most fascinating aspects of Eurovision is how different languages come together on one stage, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

However, in recent years, English has become the dominant language in Eurovision, often replacing native tongues in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. At the same time, language has sparked controversies and censorship, as seen in Malta’s 2025 entry, “Kant,” which had to be renamed due to an unintended English-language connotation. 😬

But why has English taken over Eurovision? And how have language-related controversies shaped the competition? Let’s dive into the fascinating role of language in Eurovision’s history. 🚀🎤

From Native Languages to English: A Changing Trend

When Eurovision began in 1956, countries were required to sing in their national languages, creating a rich linguistic tapestry that allowed each entry to showcase its cultural roots. This rule was relaxed in 1973, allowing contestants to perform in any language they preferred. The immediate result? A surge of English-language entries from countries that typically sang in their own tongue.

However, after concerns about the decline of linguistic diversity, the national language rule was reinstated in 1977—only to be scrapped again in 1999. Since then, the majority of Eurovision entries have been performed in English, as artists and broadcasters believe it gives them a better chance of winning by making their songs more accessible to international voters. 🌎🎶

Examples of the English Takeover:

• 🇸🇪 Sweden (2012): Loreen’s Euphoria was a massive hit—sung entirely in English.
• 🇩🇰 Denmark (2013): Emmelie de Forest won with Only Teardrops, despite Denmark’s rich musical tradition in Danish.
• 🇫🇷 France (2023): For years, France insisted on singing in French, but in 2023, La Zarra performed Évidemment, which mixed French and English to appeal to a wider audience.

Some countries, however, have resisted this trend. Portugal’s 2017 winner, Salvador Sobral’s "Amar pelos dois," was sung entirely in Portuguese, proving that non-English songs can still captivate audiences. Similarly, Ukraine’s 2022 winner, "Stefania" by Kalush Orchestra, embraced Ukrainian language and culture. 🇺🇦🎵

When Words Cause Trouble: Eurovision’s Language Controversies ⚠️

While English has helped songs become more universally understood, it has also led to unintended controversies when certain words clash with Eurovision’s family-friendly image.

1. Malta’s 2025 Entry: The "Kant" Controversy 🇲🇹

Malta’s original Eurovision 2025 song was called Kant, which means "singing" in Maltese. However, its pronunciation closely resembled an English expletive, causing concerns about how it would be received by international audiences. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) requested changes, leading Malta to rename the song to "Serving" before the contest. 🎭

2. Sweden’s 2017 Entry: The "F*ing Beautiful" Edit 🇸🇪**

In 2017, Sweden’s Robin Bengtsson performed I Can’t Go On, but originally, the lyrics contained the phrase "because you look so f*ing beautiful."** To comply with Eurovision’s rules, it was changed to "so freaking beautiful" before the performance. 😅

3. France’s 2008 Entry: Backlash Over Singing in English 🇫🇷

France is known for fiercely protecting its language, so when Sébastien Tellier’s 2008 song Divine was primarily in English, it sparked outrage among French officials and the public. Under pressure, Tellier added more French lyrics to the performance to maintain some linguistic representation. 🇫🇷🆚🇬🇧

4. Iceland’s 2014 Entry: From Icelandic to English 🇮🇸

Iceland’s Pollapönk originally performed their song Enga fordóma in Icelandic, but when they qualified for Eurovision, they translated it to "No Prejudice" to ensure its anti-discrimination message reached a broader audience. 🌈🎵

Does Language Matter in Eurovision Today?

Despite the dominance of English, language remains a crucial element in Eurovision. Some countries strategically mix English with their native languages to strike a balance between cultural identity and international appeal.

• 🇮🇹 Italy (2021): Måneskin won with Zitti e buoni, proving that a song entirely in Italian could still succeed.
• 🇪🇸 Spain (2022): Chanel’s SloMo mixed Spanish and English, making it more accessible while staying true to Spain’s identity.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine (2023): TVORCHI’s Heart of Steel had a mix of Ukrainian and English, showcasing national pride while reaching global listeners.

As Eurovision continues to evolve, the question remains: Will we see a return to more native-language songs, or will English continue to dominate? 🤔🎶

One thing is certain—language is more than just words in a song. It’s a statement of identity, culture, and, sometimes, an unexpected source of controversy.

What do you think? Should Eurovision encourage more songs in native languages, or is English the best way to bring Europe (and beyond) together? Let me know in the comments! 💬🔥