4. Varieties of English

From around 1600, the English colonization of North America resulted in the creation of a distinct American variety of English. Some English pronunciations and words "froze" when they reached America. In some ways, American English is more like the English of Shakespeare than modern British English is. Some expressions that the British call "Americanisms" are in fact original British expressions that were preserved in the colonies while lost for a time in Britain (for example trash for rubbish, loan as a verb instead of lend, and fall for autumn; another example, frame-up, was re-imported into Britain through Hollywood gangster movies). Spanish also had an influence on American English (and subsequently British English), with words like canyon, ranch, stampede and vigilante being examples of Spanish words that entered English through the settlement of the American West. French words (through Louisiana) and West African words (through the slave trade) also influenced American English (and so, to an extent, British English).

Today, American English is particularly influential, due to the USA's dominance of cinema, television, popular music, trade and technology (including the Internet). But there are many other varieties of English around the world, including for example Australian English, New Zealand English, Canadian English, South African English, Indian English and Caribbean

From Middle English old, ald, from Old English ald, eald (“old, aged, ancient, antique, primeval”), from Proto-Germanic *aldaz (“grown-up”), originally a participle form from Proto-Indo-European *altós (“grown, tall, big”). Cognate with Scots auld (“old”), North Frisian ool, ual, uul (“old”), Saterland Frisian oold (“old”), West Frisian âld (“old”), Dutch oud (“old”), Low German old (“old”), German alt (“old”), Swedish äldre (“older, elder”), Icelandic eldri (“older, elder”), Latin altus (“high, tall, grown big, lofty”). Related to eld.

Origin of old

Middle English ; from Old English (Anglian) ald, West Saxon eald, akin to German alt ; from Indo-European base an unverified form al-, to grow from source Classical Latin altus, old, alere, to nourish: basic sense “grown”

№17

Comment on the following: “Some young people refuse to observe the old rituals and have a wedding party considering it a terrible nuisance and a waste of money. What is your idea of celebrating a wedding? Should the old customs and traditions be observed or should it be held in an absolutely new manner?”

Wedding

What is the “perfect wedding”? There are countless wedding planning kits out there complete with a checklist to help guide couples through the process. Though useful as a general guideline, checklists can hinder the imagination and they typically do not account for different cultural/religious traditions that might be important to the couple. 

Many brides and grooms would love to marry in the tradition of their ancestors or at least introduce elements of a traditional wedding ceremony or reception from their cultural backgrounds.  Incorporating cultural wedding traditions and customs to a wedding is not only a fantastic way to share something personal with the guests but a nice tribute to the families.

A simple way to infuse a little culture is by using traditional wedding decorations, wedding supplies and other visual elements.  A little more difficult is serving a traditional meal, because in many cases the menu is limited by the venue.  If having a customized menu is not possible, try serving signature drinks like sake for a Japanese reception or chai instead of coffee for an Indian wedding.  Music and entertainment are easy areas to help set the mood.

Needless to say, the stars of the wedding are the bride and groom. Isn't it only natural to showcase their lives, and spotlight their love? The most memorable weddings will touch the hearts of those in attendance and make even the most distant relative and that friend of a friend of a friend feel as if they've known you all their lives.

The wedding doesn't have to be small and exclusive to be intimate and personal. Even the smallest attention to detail and thinking outside the box can turn a typical wedding into a unique experience that leaves an impression. The following cultural wedding traditions are examples of some of the ways couples all over the world join in matrimony.  Let them be a starting point for you to think about how you can make your wedding truly unforgettable.

Modern Weddings versus Traditional Weddings

What is more apt? Getting married in a traditional, religious manner or go for a non-denominational wedding ceremony? A wedding is a one-shot occasion, wherein couples tie the knot and do not mind making their special day a memorable one. In the early days, weddings were normally performed the religious way with the minister, pastor, priest or any religious head leading over the service, where couples exchange vows by the book and rings in the church. Though this is still royally being practiced, some will still go for a non-religious wedding ceremony, which can be modified according to their wish. The only difference between the tradition and modern wedding ceremony is that the priest or the religious head is absent. The rest of the ceremonies are the same and the best thing about the non-religious version is that you can personalize your own wedding, with no restrictions and limitations. Differences, reasons and things to consider:

With religious ceremonies, there are procedures to be followed and you have to stick within the bounds of cultural traditions, while non-religious ceremonies let you plan your own wedding with no restrictions and limitations and can be done within your own time frame – where the marriage will take place, type of music, the attire, the exchange of vows, the solicitation of gifts and basically you can have it your own way.

With religious ceremonies, the wedding should always take place in a church, but with non-religious, the location of the wedding will naturally be outside the church – can be on a beach, a cliff, under a bridge or anywhere.

A religious head should always preside over the wedding ceremony in traditional weddings, while modern ceremony can be held by a justice of peace, a county clerk, or anyone who is licensed to conduct the ceremony. A close family member or a friend can also perform official duties for the ceremony.

Non-religious weddings let you set your own rules while religious weddings require you to follow traditional edicts.

In traditional weddings, religion is the heart of the wedding, while in modern weddings, it’s acceptable to not include any religious events, whether this is because they don’t prescribe to any particular religion; they have conflicting religious beliefs; or their families do not approve of a marriage against their value.

In a traditional wedding scenario, vows and readings are by the book/Bible. Instead of taking excerpts from the Bible, readings and vows in a non-religious wedding can be taken from any book. They can include poems, letters, lyrics of a certain song, or even include the best memories of each other and feelings from beginning to present. Also, they are able to say it individually, alternately or together.

Also, with non-religious weddings, couples are able to make it unique – one that stands out from the rest. They are able to play their own music and give their wedding a touch of who they really are. Say what they want to say for each other with no limits and let their guests say something about them as well. Couples are able to make it as memorable as possible. While with religious weddings, you have to stick to the procedure that most people had to go through in the early days.

Couples get to save more in modern weddings than in traditional weddings.

Basically, it may all depend with the upbringing, values, beliefs, etc. And frankly, money should be considered. All in all, whatever kind of wedding couples go through or whatever kind of vows they exchange in the ceremony, it does not lessen their commitment in any way. Besides, the whole point is that their marriage is legal and that they’re together.