Bilingual weddings – The speeches (V)

by HelenMay 5, 2009 0

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Wedding speeches

As weddings are getting increasingly more informal, protocol is constantly shifting and wedding speeches are changing in terms of timing and content. And of course, if you’re getting married in a multilingual, multicultural wedding, then there’s the added element of the language of your speech.

So what should you do to make sure everyone understands what you’re saying? Here are some pointers for your bilingual speech.

*As with the vows, even if you are not fluent in your partner’s language, a show of willingness by putting a short statement in your speech in that language will surely bring rapturous applause and will really show you partner and his/her family that you respect their identity and culture.

*If most of the people at the wedding speak a common language then you can do the bulk of your speech in this language with snippets in your own and your partner’s language.

*Divide your speech up into sections and direct what you’re going to say to each language group (such as your friends, your own family, your wife’s family).

*Get your speech subtitled, by putting it on a computer presentation and displaying it on a projector. This will be fun and will get all your guests involved.

*Get a reliable person to do some consecutive interpreting. Read a paragraph and then get that person to interpet into the other language. You can prepare and practice for this, because you can get your speech translated beforehand.

*If money’s no object, why not pay a professional interpreter and hire some equipment so that the guests who don’t understand the language of your speech can listen in discreetly with headphones, just like at the United Nations!

*And remember, jokes don’t always translate well, so check with a native speaker of the other language, to see if they can help you out.

And of course, as with all speeches, practice beforehand in front of the mirror and just before you start, take a deep breath to calm those nerves. Then enjoy!

Source: Funny Wedding Ideas