White Wedding: A ‘Typical’ American Wedding
| This is an entry in the “White Wedding” series. You can find more information at the series’ main page.
This entry includes a listening exercises. You can dowload the MP3 or play it using the button below. (MP3) |
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What is a typical American wedding? Since I’ve come back from my vacation, all of my English students have asked me and I have to admit that I don’t have a one-hundred-percent answer. I know the weddings I’ve seen, the weddings I’ve heard about (when you get married, people want to tell you about all the weddings they’ve ever been to) and so it’s possible that you know even more about typical American weddings than I do. (If you do: post what you know in the comments!)
The recording today is of me describing what I think of as ‘typical’ for American weddings. Remember, though, that Americans like to think of themselves as individualists–that means, they like to think that they’re different from everyone else–and so people try to have individual, personalized weddings.
Before You Listen
Think for a moment about what you already think is typical in an American wedding. How many have you seen in TV shows or movies? What have you heard already? Can you describe what you already know in English?
Now start the recording.
After You Listen to the Recording
How much of what you thought you knew about American weddings matched what I think I know? Is there anything you were surprised to hear? What do you think about my favorite American tradition–including your friends and families in the ceremony?
Do you have a favorite tradition from your own culture? Let us know!
