inderSTADTBala Gopalan's noWHere in the *CITY

It is very common for people from the south of India to use the English word Marriage, when what they are really trying to communicate is the word Wedding!

Most recent example is the acceptance speech of A.R.Rahman, two-times Oscar winner at the 81st Annual Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire:

“Before coming, I was excited and terrified. Last time I felt like that was during my Marriage .. ”
(see video)

I checked Merriam-Webster Online for the dictionary meaning of these two words:

Wedding:

1 : a marriage ceremony usually with its accompanying festivities : nuptials
2 : an act, process, or instance of joining in close association

Marriage:

1 a  (1): the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law
(2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>
b: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock
c: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected  ; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities

At least by this definition (#2 above) of Marriage, it seems like the (southern Indian) usage I am referring to is not incorrect after all. Personally, I do not agree with this definition. Besides, it may not necessarily cross over lingo-cultural boundaries.

So, if you are one of the lucky several to get invited to a Southern Indian Marriage, rest assured it is neither to a marital orgy nor to live with the couple until death or divorce. It is a simple invitation to attend their Marriage ceremony aka Wedding!