Wedding lingo
The South Asian version of the English language is really special when talking about marriage.
Some special terms:
MARRIAGE to mean WEDDING
This perhaps arises from the fact that most people simply don't talk about marriages in India. In the two Southern states, Kalyanam (literally PROSPERITY) refers to the wedding and the single vs. married question is posed as "Have you had your wedding". This makes for some fun statements. Consider this "I'm really enjoying myself in my sister's marriage". OK, you need to replace 'at' with 'in' but that's not too hard for us.
BOY and GIRL for GROOM and BRIDE respectively
Perhaps from the days of child marriage?
LOVE MARRIAGE to mean NOT-AN-ARRANGED-MARRIAGE
This one really irritates me. I think anyone wanting to use this terminology shoud also agree to referring to arranged marriages as LOVELESS marriages, which they clearly ARE NOT. Why, can't you marry someone for money without your parents' involvement?
AFFAIR to mean RELATIONSHIP
This one is simply ridiculous. Everyone who knew their spouse before marriage or was involved with them "had an affair". Not to mention relationships that don't lead to marriage.
Before I forget, Belated "Happy Gandhi Jayanti" to all you homies :-D
Some special terms:
MARRIAGE to mean WEDDING
This perhaps arises from the fact that most people simply don't talk about marriages in India. In the two Southern states, Kalyanam (literally PROSPERITY) refers to the wedding and the single vs. married question is posed as "Have you had your wedding". This makes for some fun statements. Consider this "I'm really enjoying myself in my sister's marriage". OK, you need to replace 'at' with 'in' but that's not too hard for us.
BOY and GIRL for GROOM and BRIDE respectively
Perhaps from the days of child marriage?
LOVE MARRIAGE to mean NOT-AN-ARRANGED-MARRIAGE
This one really irritates me. I think anyone wanting to use this terminology shoud also agree to referring to arranged marriages as LOVELESS marriages, which they clearly ARE NOT. Why, can't you marry someone for money without your parents' involvement?
AFFAIR to mean RELATIONSHIP
This one is simply ridiculous. Everyone who knew their spouse before marriage or was involved with them "had an affair". Not to mention relationships that don't lead to marriage.
Before I forget, Belated "Happy Gandhi Jayanti" to all you homies :-D
posted by Kurma at 10/03/2005 10:43:00 AM
5 Comments:
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Oh my God! These are things I have ALWAYS said in my mind!!!
What is up with the use of the word "affair" in India? The first half dozen times I heard it I thought they were talking about cheating on their husbands/wives!
Hilarious.
Another thing I always wondered about... "I phoned to wish her."
..... OK. Wish her what exactly?
Have you noticed that one?
Heh, "wish her" :-) I can do a long post on that. You must wish the teacher when he/she enters the room = you must stand up and sing "Gooood maaawrning teeeecher!" Great. You bring up a good topic. I'll do a post on a few special Desisms.
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