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Hearing the Americas

Columbia Records Advertisement shifting from language of "foreign" to "native" records

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Title

Columbia Records Advertisement shifting from language of "foreign" to "native" records

Description

This advertisement discusses Columbia Records' "foreign language" records, claiming that Columbia transformed "foreign" records into "native" records. This demonstrates how record companies like Columbia recorded songs in different languages marketed towards immigrants who wanted to hear songs of their homelands. Record companies at the time also recorded music in numerous countries outside of the U.S. in order to cater to "local" markets within those regions.

Date

1928

Source

Library of Congress,
Ethnic recordings in America: a neglected heritage.

Type

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This advertisement discusses Columbia Records' "foreign language" records, claiming that Columbia transformed "foreign" records into "native" records. This demonstrates how record companies like Columbia recorded songs in different languages marketed towards immigrants who wanted to hear songs of their homelands. Record companies at the time also recorded music in numerous countries outside of the U.S. in order to cater to "local" markets within those regions.