Thread: matrimonio

Hi Diego,

I would suggest the term marriage over legal union as recently there are some states in the US using legal union to refer to homosexual marriages. Also yes, the term Justice of the Peace is very common here in the US.

Joel

I agree completely with Joel.

HOla diegonoel,
from what I have seen in movies, it's legal union but a native can be of more help and I am very positive about the Justice of Peace cause I have a friend who just renewed her vows and she called the "Justice of the Peace"!!!
Hope it helps!

I think we were all posting at the same time...well, there you go, Joel and my good friend Vicente just made it clear!

But you make a good point Sandra...as does Joel about legal union...so should we consider that since a Justice of the Peace presides over civil matters and is not a priest or minister, is the term legal union more appropriate. Should we now make a distinction between gay and heterosexual marriages. Does it make a differencer if the union/marriage is performed in a religious setting or a civil setting?

I don't mean to confuse Diego. I would still go with marriage but Sandra's reply got me to thinking.

this gets better!!!! hmmmm...my friend, Vicente, NOW YOU GOT ME THINKING!!!
I would not make a distinction between gay and heterosexual marriages, just for the sake of not offending anyone but of course, that's me and I don't make laws and let alone work in a Lingüistic Department!
And I think it does make a difference about the setting!

I see where you're gong Vincente but, leaving the gay/straight issue aside, I have a number of friends who are JPs and the are all legally authorized to perform marriage cerimonies (this is the term used in State law) in the State of Georgia.

As a side note, one of these performed my mariage and I don't think I could convince my wife were not really married, just legally united.

Joel

Of course, I agree with you Joel...I think all states...at least all that I am aware of, have JPs (Justices of the Peace) and all perform marriages, not legal unions...unless things have recently changed.

In any case, I think marriage is the term best used in the U.S. It leaves no room for doubt. A marriage is a marriage. A legal union might ask for clarification.

Thinking about this I understand the issue a little better. In some countries (like Mexico for example) a religious ceremony is not always recognized by the state or country as a legal union. Here in the US all marriages whether performed by a priest, pastor, rabbi, or judge are all legal unions recognized by the state so the term marriage is used by all of them.

Joel