Help with wedding speech needed

[Bambiagain]

Sorry, I have no idea what category this fits in, which is why I'm putting it here.

Quite simply, who can advise me on how to phrase the beginning of a speech that I am translating into English. The German translates literally into "Dear bridal couple, dear guests" but this sounds completely wrong. Would you think he (the father of the bride) shoul. address it to the happy couple by name? I think using "dear" sounds not quite right, but correct me if you disagree. And I'd be inclined to go with "Ladies and Gentlemen" for the second bit - would anyone think "Dear guests" is ok? Or perhaps "Dear friends and family"?

I really should have paid more attention to the speeches last time I went to a wedding, shouldn't I?

[Mosaic]

'Sehr geheerte' is very formal, 'liebe' very affectionate...this is the dilemma of translation as opposed to interpreting (or maybe other way round).
So you need to work out the intended meaning and then insert the words that you feel are appropriate.
Don't feel constrained by what other people have done - speak from the heart and if you want to say 'my dearest family and wonderful close friends' then say that.

[Maydup]

Ladies and Gentlemen, family and friends, on behalf of Janet and John I welcome you to their special day etc etc

Ignore the German!

[Bambiagain]

THe original German reads Liebes Brautpaar, Liebe Gäste.' I need to convey that in English. The bride's father will be speaking in English (I have to coach him!) and it needs to sound as he has written it but in English. Maybe I expressed myself badly in my original question!

[baza]

whatever you do say make sure you dont mention the war.

[Bambiagain]

Maidup, I think you have the right idea there. Thank you both.

[Bambiagain]

Right, Baza.

[Mosaic]

I suggest then simply 'Janet- the beautiful bride - John - the lucky groom - and our esteemed guest.....'
You will never get an exact fit. We had to do this in Japanese-English earlier this year.

[Mosaic]

Soz, the S fell off guests

[Bambiagain]

Thanks again, Mosaic. No, a literal translation is neither possible nor advisable. This is a particularly complicated one as the bride is German, the groom is Turkish and they live in Amsterdam and all speak English together. The bride's mother has been having English lessons from me in an attempt to keep up.

[DTCwordfan]

German can be much more formal in addressing folk - I think it depends on how formal the wedding. But down the middle.

"To our lovely couple, to the families, to all here today, I would like to begin/start by........

[boxtops]

Oh triggs.... ;-(

[baza]

sorry could not resist the Basil Fawlty bit, having done the best mans bit a few times , just use the erms that you feel comfortable with,

[Bambiagain]

DT, you are quite right, humour in this case would not go down too well. Although not all Germans lack a sense of humour, this is not the time and place.

[baza]

^^^ terms, damn typing

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, you should have paid more attention at your last wedding but we forgive you. That is what we are all here for. The last wedding I went to was my sister's last year and all the groom's brother seemed to manage to say was "I hope you are very happy together" and that was about it. Not very imaginative but very heartfelt.

Does this help at all?

[Bambiagain]

Johnnyboy, if only that were all I had to translate! I think this bride's father is a little more organised.

And thanks to everyone I have enough options now to pick out something suitable. Now I jsut have the rest of it to work on.

[Mosaic]

Can I come? I do like a wedding.

[JonnyBoy12]

Have you seen this online translator? You type in one language and then it translates for you into any other language you need. It seems to work quite well and it totally free. See the link below:

http://translate.reference.com/

[Mosaic]

Johnny I need to hand you the equiv of an online slap upside the ear. 'Online translators'...try inserting the phrase 'out of sight, out of mind'....
They do words, not language.