Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Are arranged marriages a custom in your country? Is it the norm for people to marry when they come of age? All over the world, it’s common for families to promise their children for marriage, sometimes even from birth. How you feel about this tradition depends on your cultural perspective.
Arranged marriages were common everywhere until the 1700s. Over time, they became less common, and today the practice isn’t widespread. Some young people just don’t trust their parents to choose someone for them. They want to make their own choices. But for others, it’s OK for their parents to be involved. They want their parents to find them a husband or wife. After all, it is a lot of work, and who knows you better than your family?
Marni is trying to understand her friend’s arranged marriage. Can Gary help? You’ll find out in today’s English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Marni: So Gary, I have a friend who just told me that she is actually involved in an arranged marriage.
Gary: Oh, no way! Was this arranged from birth?
Marni: I guess so. It’s so bizarre to me because I’ve known her for so long, and this is just information she just revealed to me.
Gary: Oh, wow.
Marni: And I’m thinking, “Wow! That’s just so archaic.” But am I just coming at it from my own cultural perspective?
Gary: You know, I think it’s your friend’s custom.
Marni: Yeah.
Gary: And that’s just a part of their tradition, right? She’s come of age recently… to be able to get married, I’m guessing.
Marni: Yeah, yeah.
Gary: So whatever this cultural norm is, it’s good for them. As long as she’s OK with it.
Marni: I guess. To me… this is your life. You should be able to fall in love and marry whomever you want. But apparently your family has had this whole agreement with this other family since you were little.
Gary: And there’s an expectation that the families are going to come together.
Marni: I want to support her, but it’s hard for me to understand it. So I guess I just need to have more information.
Gary: I completely understand.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Marni is having a hard time understanding what she just learned from a friend. Her friend is going to be in an arranged marriage, and this is the first time she’s hearing it even though she’s known her friend for a long time. Marni isn’t especially comfortable with the idea, but she realizes that maybe she’s thinking about it as someone who didn’t grow up with this custom.
Gary reminds Marni that for people who grew up with the custom, it’s quite common. He agrees that Marni isn’t thinking about her friend’s marriage the way that her friend is because the two women have had different cultural experiences. Gary encourages Marni to get more information about arranged marriages before deciding how she feels about them.
Are arranged marriages common where you live? Are you in an arranged marriage, or will you be? What do you think about them?
Comments
China |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Algeria |
Russian Federation |
India |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Taiwan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Argentina |
China |
Hong Kong |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
China |
China |
China |
Brazil |
Russian Federation |
South Korea |
Indonesia |
Colombia |