The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1964, Page 15

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
13
One o/ ike Kegd to the Cnglidh J^anguage
The following is an extract, in translation, from the address delivered by BJARNI
BENEESIKTSSON, Prime Minister of Iceland, at the International Inn, Winnipeg,
on Wednesday, August 5th, 1964.
All of us, whose roots lie deep in Icelandic soil, have abun-
dant grounds to be proud of our descent.
Actually, it is exceptional that a nation so small in numbers,
should be able to maintain an independent and a richly cultural
state in a land of such size and adverse elements as Iceland. At
the same time it is little short of a miracle that you, west of the
Atlantic, in that vastness of nations, should not only have suc-
ceeded in sailing your ship of state on a course leading to weal
and distinction, but should at the same time have succeeded in
maintaining fresh and undiminished a memory of your origin and
your former homeland. To accomplish this you have drawn upon
your rich store of energy, your courage, your patience and your
exceptional faith. Through this, but with due modesty, we have
reason to be proud. It is the hope of all that this Icelandic tenacity
will be perpetuated in your descendants wherever they may go.
But even if we desire to maintain the distinctly Icelandic
traits we must not forget that the Icelandic people are not an in-
digenous growth. They alone do not inhabit this planet.
It has frequently been stated that western civilization de-
rives from three main root elements, Greek, Roman and Hebrew.
Not for a moment would I minimize any of the following: the
independence of thought and the arts of the Greeks; the Roman
administration of law; the Hebrew background to the Christian
religion. But, above all, here in Canada you must not forget the
great contribution the north-western part of Europe has made
to present day civilization.
In order to appreciate this one need but consider the im-
portant role the English language is playing. It is the main lan-
guage throughout North America, and it is hoped, will increasing-
ly become a world language which every nation will understand
alongside its native tongue. The man who seeks to understand the
origins of English will find that no living language can provide a
better means for that purpose than Icelandic.