[Lexicog] (Re)Definition of marriage (was: When Words Lose Meaning)

[Fritz Goerling]

I'm sorry, but I disagree quite a bit with your statements. See for my
remarks and questions within your response.

 

Fritz Goerling

 

BB wrote:

 

I'm sorry, but I disagree in the extreme with your statement.

 

Various major religions define and have defined marriage in many different
ways, 

 

    I would say in "some" and "somewhat" different ways." The three
monotheistic religions differ not so much traditionally in their definition
of marriage.

 

and it is not merely religions that define what marriage is (e.g., France,
Germany, Turkey, where the religious ceremony has no legal meaning). 

 

    Sure, not only religions define what marriage is.

 

Take Buddhism, for example, many sects of which recognize same-sex marriage.


 

   Is what you call "same sex MARRIAGE" called "marriage" or how is it being
referred to in Buddhism? 

 

Another example is Christianity, many sects of which also recognize same-sex
marriage. 

 

   Can you mention a few?

 

AFAIK same-sex marriage has been happening for several hundred years (I
believe at least 1000) within Christianity. 

 

   To my knowledge what you call "same-sex MARRIAGE" has traditionally not
been called "marriage" in Christianity.

 

 

On May 17, 2008, at 9:48 AM, Fritz Goerling wrote:


Not to my - certainly limited - knowledge, Benjamin. All major religions.
although having somewhat differing understandings of marriage, recognize
that marriage involves the union of the two complementary sexes in a
relationship that normally is for childbearing and childrearing.

Whether it is legitimate to refer to same-sex unions as 'marriage' is
debated and certainly not widely accepted.

 

Fritz Goerling

 

Benjamin Barrett wrote:

Marriage has been known to encompass same-sex couples for at least 2000
years, though lexicographers did not reflect that fact in their
dictionaries.

 

In modern times, dictionaries have recognized the word marriage as including
same-sex couples for the last decade give or take a few years. Many same-sex
couples have used the word marriage to refer to their situation for years
before that, regardless of their legal status or whether dictionaries
recognized it. Lexicographically, nothing happened inCalifornia as laws
recognizing same-sex marriage were already present in other countries. BB

 

On May 17, 2008, at 9:13 AM, Fritz Goerling wrote:

Right - the "nemesis." What do lexicographers do with youthful unorthodox
uses of words like "wicked" or "bad" to mean "good/cool" which usually go
out of fashion soon?" Slang dictionaries? Or what to do with the recent
judicial redefinition of marriage by the Supreme Court in California?

Fritz Goerling

 

 

 

 

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